Reservoir Advice

[NWPA]

Hi folks. My son is graduating from College this spring and I'm thinking of taking him for a week of bass fishing to celebrate. We live on Lake Erie (in Erie) so nearly all of our fishing is either Erie lakers, smallie, eyes, or steelhead depending on the season (in order...). We don't get bored so we don't spend much time exploring.

I'm looking for some seasoned advice for some inland/more southern (to me) fishing...reasonable travel, say 10 hours or so. Timing would be early May, and the boat is easily trailerable.

I'm thinking maybe Stonewall Jackson but am wide open to suggestions. We're pretty much novices at reservoir fishing...unless you call Lake Erie a reservoir...perhaps hitting a couple lakes if it can work.

So...any suggestions for what I should be checking out somewhere south of the Mason-Dixon?

[Sam]

I have no idea where you live as it is not shown but in Virginia may I suggest Smith Mountain Lake?

Lots of nice places to stay; beautiful lake; good fishing.

Buggs Island (Kerr Reservior) and Lake Gaston are also excellent options.

If you do travel to Virginia to fish please check out the GMCO Map web site and purchase a map of the body of water you will be fishing.

Good luck and have a safe venture.

[Sam]

P.S. Did your son graduate from Slippery Rock????

[Nitrofreak]

I agree with Sam, there are lots of lakes and river systems here in Va. that offer great fishing, hikeing, camping opportunities.

There are a few more lakes and rivers that are fun to fish that were not mentioned, for early May lake Anna is fun to fish so is Claytor lake, and many more, just let us know if you do decide to fish Va. and a location you want to visit.

There are a ton of great fisherman who will be happy to help that are from this area.

Good luck with your travels and be safe.

[airdaman]

I live in VA and the Potomac is good but if I had to choose Kentucky lake or Reelfoot. I love Reelfoot going their in March (Reelfoot has a lot of stumps so leave the V-hull at home).

[roadwarrior]

If you can get away earlier, join us on the BassResource Roadtrip:

Otherwise, I recommend Pickwick and strongly suggest hiring a guide

for at least one day.

[Hyrule Bass]

I have no idea where you live as it is not shown but in Virginia may I suggest Smith Mountain Lake?

Lots of nice places to stay; beautiful lake; good fishing.

Buggs Island (Kerr Reservior) and Lake Gaston are also excellent options.

If you do travel to Virginia to fish please check out the GMCO Map web site and purchase a map of the body of water you will be fishing.

Good luck and have a safe venture.

i was going to recommend Smith Mountain Lake as well. Its my favorite place in the world there. So peaceful and beautiful, amazing scenery out on the water at sunset and sunrise. I go there several times a year and never want to leave. Its also hosted a few bassmaster elite series tournaments in the recent past as well. you may want to try and get into the striped bass there as well...

Lake Gaston was going to be my next suggestion, just an amazing fishery there. you may want to target some of the catfish there as well, it can be fun.

[NWPA]

Thanks fellas. Sam, we live in Erie (PA) a few minutes from Lake Erie; my son graduates from Penn State.

Smith Mountain sounds like a great option -- I'm checking it out (plus the other suggestions). You're good advocates for VA.

And just to show how hungry the Bass are here...(they both swam off once they were popped apart)

[Zoff]

Smith Mt. Lake in VA is tops. If you want less traffic... check out Leesville Lake. If the water levels are right... it's a good place for largemouth and stripers. If rivers are to your liking, might I suggest the Staunton just below Leesville Lake. Excellent smallies, largemouth, and walleye. If they ain't bitin', you can always have a little fun with a flyrod and bluegill.

Paul

[Hyrule Bass]

Smith Mt. Lake in VA is tops. If you want less traffic... check out Leesville Lake. If the water levels are right... it's a good place for largemouth and stripers. If rivers are to your liking, might I suggest the Staunton just below Leesville Lake. Excellent smallies, largemouth, and walleye. If they ain't bitin', you can always have a little fun with a flyrod and bluegill.

Paul

this could also be a plus for visiting Smith Mountain Lake, you have Leesville Lake right on the other side of the SML dam. and theres a couple other lakes not really too far from there if you wanted to travel a couple hours to them just to experience several lakes and the fishing on them. Early May on SML should be pretty good fishing...