Hooked on fishing

Lurking in the underwater world of Smith Mountain Lake is one of its biggest draws. Within this dynamic, 20,600-acre reservoir is an abundance of popular game fish.
    Black bass, striped bass, catfish, white perch, crappie, sunfish and carp teem deep below the lake’s surface, attracting fishermen of all skill levels, year-round.
    Mike Snead, owner of local Angling Adventures fishing guide service and Virginia Outdoorsman tackle shop, said the range of species in Smith Mountain Lake sets it apart from other nearby fisheries.
    “The lake has a wide variety of species, which means it accommodates a huge variety of fishing styles,” said Snead. “Also, it doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment or electronics to catch bass here. If people have access to a boat, they can troll on this lake and catch bass all year long.”
    Dan Wilson, Fisheries Biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), agreed.
    “Smith Mountain Lake has good fish populations, including an outstanding black bass population,” he said. “And the striped bass fishery is very popular. There aren’t many places in the country that can support good striped bass. It’s the premier striped bass fishery in the state and one of the premier striper fisheries on the East Coast.”
    The lake’s location adds to its popularity as a fishing destination. Vicki Gardner, executive director for the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, pointed out the importance of its location.
    “Smith Mountain Lake is within a 40-minute drive from Roanoke, Lynchburg and other surrounding municipalities. With 500 miles of shoreline reaching into three counties, its central-Virginia location makes the lake convenient to thousands of anglers, casual or competitive,” she said.
    Smith Mountain Lake also can be a challenging fishery, according to Jim Shauberger, the chamber’s events manager.
    “I have fished bass for 55 years and thought I was pretty good until I came here. It took me several years to learn this lake,” said Shauberger. “The bass are hard to catch because they have a virtual smorgasbord of food available. I love fishing this lake.”

Fish-Friendly Habitat
    Experts agree Smith Mountain Lake is fishing friendly because it is fish friendly. Daniel Berthiaume, also known as Captain Bert, owner of Captain Bert’s Fishing Charters, said the geography of lake provides the kind of dwelling fish love.
    “Smith Mountain Lake is a big body of water. With it being flooded over houses, barns, it creates a great habitat for fish. They have hiding places, all kinds of ground and deep holes,” said Berthiaume.
    Local fishing authorities also make sure the lake maintains a robust fishery. A slot limit on striped bass put into effect by VDGIF in 2006 has helped the fishery recover from a significant loss of the species in 2003. The limit – in effect from Nov. 1 through May 31 – requires anglers to release striped bass 26-36 inches to encourage a healthier population of larger-sized striped bass.
    “The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is doing everything in its power to bring the 30-, 40-pound fish back to the lake,” said Berthiaume. “I think their efforts have definitely been working. I’ve been seeing bigger fish that are healthy. There’s no reason to believe they won’t grow and get bigger and healthier every year.”

Pro Fishing Favorite
    Over the years, Smith Mountain Lake has hosted numerous professional fishing tournaments that have brought national attention to the area, including the Bassmaster Elite Series’ Blue Ridge Brawl, which was televised by ESPN. In May, the amateurs-only Oakley’s Big Bass Tournament is expected to bring 300-400 boats to SML for fishing competition.
    Shauberger’s love for fishing has landed him on several bass tournament committees at Smith Mountain Lake. He hears straight from the pros what they think about the fishing scene at SML.
    “They love this lake because it is the prettiest lake they fish. The people on the shore are very nice to them. The crowds at the weigh-in are the largest they experience shy of the Bassmaster Classic, and the fishery is very challenging. This is a top-choice lake even though it is one of the smallest venues they fish,” he said.

Fishing Fun for Anyone
    You certainly don’t have to be a professional to have fun fishing at Smith Mountain Lake.
    Like many who drop a line into SML’s waters, Gardner said she appreciates a leisurely approach. No pressure, just a rod, worm and good friend to share the experience.
    “I was raised on Cayuga Lake in New York and have fished my entire life,” Gardner said. “I’m basically a sit-on-the-dock-with-my-neighbor, drown-worms, sip-wine, chat-and-laugh-until-a-fish-bite-interrupts-our-conversation kind of angler.”
    Dale Wilson, long-time local resident, former school teacher, and owner of Dale Wilson Guide Service, encourages adults to introduce youth to the fun of fishing.
    “I work a lot with children,” Wilson said. “I’ll take any age group that’s old enough to have an attention span and wants to learn. If you can get children started at a young age, it’s something that carries over throughout their lives. It’s rewarding to see someone catch a fish who’s never caught one before.”

Advice from the Experts

 “The question is always, ‘I’ve got 40 miles of lake. Where do I start?’ You’re not going to break the lake down in a single weekend. Guides will know what area, what technique is working.” - Spike Franceschini, Spike’s Prime Time Fishin’

“In the summertime make sure you bring a lot of water, sunscreen, a hat, rain gear. In the colder months, dress warm. Bring your fishing license and what you want to snack on. Any guide will have everything else.” - Captain Daniel Berthiaume, Captain Bert’s Fishing Charters

“I recommend anyone coming to the lake get a guide for their first trip to learn the best way to fish here. It will keep frustration down and make future trips much more productive. It will be worth the money.” - Jim Shauberger, SML Chamber of Commerce Events Manager

“The best advice I can give is to do a workshop. We offer workshops to teach beginners about the different fish, rigs, knot tying and then send them out with a method that will help them be successful.”
- Mike Snead, Virginia Outdoorsman

Popular Fish Species of SML

Largemouth Bass: The most popular freshwater game fish. Much of its popularity is due to its pugnacious attitude and willingness to strike a lure or bait with explosive force.

Carp: A prolific fish, the carp is an excellent survivor and is able to tolerate a wide range of conditions and bottom types.

Yellow or White Perch: As a food and game fish, both rate high with anglers.

Striped Bass: The striper is SML’s most prized catch. A wide variety of fishing methods are successfully employed, including trolling, jigging, bait fishing, fly fishing and spinning.  

Smallmouth Bass: This species is easily distinguished from the largemouth by its clearly connected dorsal fins, the scales on the base portion of the soft-rayed second dorsal fin, and the upper jaw bone, which extends only to about the middle of the eye.

Sunfish:s The sunfish is an excellent panfish, scrappy fighter and can be caught with baits or lures.

Source: takemefishing.org