your tackle dealer). I like lead line the
best, because it is easy to use. With
the color as a guide to line depth, it
is easier to retrieve when over trees…
and then to return to the depth that
you had been fishing.
Fishing with a single lure on each
line is fine, whether a jig or a spoon,
or whatever; however, it is easier to
draw more attention from the fish
using tree rig or umbrella rig (several
lures on one rig -- see drawing)… Or
you might try a “double”: a 3-way
swivel with the end of the line from
the rod tied to one part of the 3 way,
a line about 6 ‘ or 7’ long with a spoon
tied on the end of it on one of the
remaining two, and on the last part
of the 3 way tie a lie 3’ to 4’ long with
a lead head jig with a sassy shad or a
bucktail or any other plastic that you
might like. This causes the spoon to
run above the jig and a little behind it.
You should always carry a casting
rod with a popper tied on the line, just
in case you hit a school of breaking
fish. When trolling, go as slowly as
you can. You can catch other fish this
way also (bass, wall-eye pike, muskie,
etc).
Remember: Always fish by the
moon phase!
MOONLIT NIGHT
-- Approximately
7 days before and 7 days after a full
moon. Start fishing 2 to 3 hrs after
daybreak, fish until they quit (usually
3 hrs), and then go to lunch. Return
just before 3 hrs is up, and fish for the
next 3.
DARK NIGHT
-- Approx. 7 days
before and 7 days after the new
moon... Fish the first 3 hrs of the day,
skip the next 3, and go back and fish
the next 3 hrs.
FULL HARVEST MOON
-- SEPT,
19th 7:13 a.m.
FULL HUNTER’S MOON
-- OCT,
18th 7:38 p.m.
FULL BEAVER MOON
-- NOV, 17th
10:16 a.m.
FULL COLD MOON
-- DEC, 17th
4:28 a.m.
By November 1st, the water
temperature in the coves should be
approaching 50 degrees. This is the
time when you get to your favorite
cove, early in the morning (around 4-
a.m.). Stop before entering the cove
and turn off the motor and your lights.
Using your electric trolling motor, ease
into the cove while watching your fish
finder.
Search for an area (which should
be near the back of the cove) where
you see a lot of dots on the fish finder.
Stop the boat, and give your eyes a
chance to adjust to the darkness until
you can see the water and the shore.
As the sky begins to lighten and
seems to have a little “pink” tint to
it, watch the water closely. When
bubbles begin rising to the surface,
cast a 6” to 7” floating “Redfin”, or a
6”Thunderstick”, “Long A”, or similar
tackle, and retrieve it slowly on the
surface while holding the rod tip down
in the water. This gives the lure more
action and draws the strike.
When the fish “strikes”, it won’t
be a big explosion as you might feel
when fishing in the spring. It will feel
more like a little “tap”, but don’t be
fooled; this is a time when some very
large fish are caught, so hold on and
be prepared for a fight. Be sure to
set your drag properly; you should be
using a “medium” tip rod to allow you
more latitude or advantage. This is
one of my favorite times of the year
to fish.
By the morning’s first light, you
have 2 choices: go to the “main
channel” to troll, jig, or bait fish... or
by this time you should have a “good
catch”, and it will most likely be a
good time to head in for breakfast.
GOOD FISHING! To make it even
better, take a kid with you! Keep an
eye on those youngsters, and make
sure they wear the proper life vests.
It’s not just a good idea; it’s the law!
Amy Carter
540.874.4113
Denise Thruston
804.467.8701
Andy Thruston
804.467.8700
Di Jarrard
540.797.1587
KWLynchburg.com
Smith Mountain
Lake Group
Serving
Smith Mountain Lake,
Bedford & Franklin Counties, and Roanoke
Peggy Overstreet
540.587.5815
Put the #1 Real Estate Company
in the U.S. to work for you!
Good luck and take
a kid fishing!
~Bob King
Fishing Continued...
1.Catching Striper in
the Early Morning
Top Line6to7 feet long (BottomLine4 feet long)
3 Way Swivel
4 feet
6-7 feet
Spoon
Green Sassy Shad or Outrigger
2.Catching Striper on
the Lower End
Stripers are
25-35 feet deep
Position boat
over the fish
Island
Water from trees
(Drag your line freely, use your thumb to
stop when a fish takes the bait)
Bait here
Discover Smith Mountain Lake
Fall 2013
11
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