Page 18 - Discover Spring 2023
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Fisherman’s Almanac CONTINUED
F is he rma n ’ s Alma nac C O NTINUED
after the new moon. temperature should reach 50 degrees, and
This fellow called me the day after the this is when the alewives will be spawning
tournament, and told me that he owed on the banks and points, mostly along
me a steak dinner. I told him he owed me the main channels, because the fish are
nothing. The night before he fished was a heading down lake. The bait fish move
moon lit night. He had studied the lake along the shore in the shallow water,
map as I told him, and he chose a good because this where the warmest water is,
area. He went out first thing and started and the stripers will follow.
fishing, but as I had predicted, not much Casting a 1/3-1//2 oz bucktail jig with
was going on. He almost left the area a a white or green feather works really well,
few times, but then he remembered that with a slow retrieve. Another option is to
I told him to stay until the fish started cast a 5" or 6" Plastic minnow (Redfin,
striking. It was about 9:30 AM, and he Rebel, Thunderstick, Long-A, or similar
was on the verge of leaving, when the fish lure) Live shad, alewives, and other live
started hitting. He stayed in that one area, bait are great when pulled on a planer-
and not only did he win the tournament, board along the shore.
but he also won "big fish". About April 21st, the night fishing
When you are going to a new lake, should turn on for stripers. Cast to a point
compare the lake with a lake that you at night with a surface minnow, with a
know how to fish. If you think about it, very slow retrieve. This works great on
you’ll figure it out. As always, don't get a dark night (close to the new moon),
impatient, and remember to fish slowly. usually best between mid-night and 2
Fishing in the spring is good with lures AM. On a moonlit night, put the boat in
like plastic worms, color "red shad”,” shallow water on a point, and cast to the
firecracker”, and "green pumpkin". It is side of the point with a very slow retrieve.
always good to have a small plastic surface The strike will always be a great surprise
minnow (a blue Rattling Rouge is good) when these fish decide to take your bait.
tied on a rod in case you spot bass chasing You may think the fish is trying to take
bait fish. Cast the lure and "whip" the rod your rod away from you. In both cases,
downward, wind the slack and whip it keep your rod tip low, and use a very slow
again. This usually draws a strike from bass retrieve. You’ll enjoy this night time sport!!
that are chasing bait.
Spring fishing for Striped Bass As always, use safety gear, operate your
on Smith Mountain Lake is always boat safely, dress properly and "TAKE A
good. Around March 15th the water KID FISHING!"
16 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SPRING 2023
