Page 24 - Discover Winter 2023

rma
n
he
O
’
s Alma
nac C
is
F
Fisherman’s Almanac CONTINUED
NTINUED
next 3 hours, etc.
Another productive way to fish in
these cold months is to fish pre-dawn.
Since this is a colder time, you need to
get to your fishing spot before the fog
starts to rise on the water. This means
getting on the water at about 4 am. It
also requires knowledge of the lake to
be able to travel safely to your spot in
the dark. Be very careful traveling the
lake in the dark. When arriving at your
destination (the mouth of the cove
that you are going to fish), stop your
boat, making certain there are no other
boats around you. DO NOT turn off
your lights, but try to shield them from
being visible below the water. Lower
your trolling motor and start moving
into the cove, watching your graph. Stay yourself. The chances are excellent that
vigilant, and keep a sharp eye out for
approaching boats.
With your gas motor off, using
the electric trolling motor, ease into the
cove. When you see lots of small spots
all over the graph screen, move to the
center of these spots... some guesswork
is involved... and stop. Be quiet, and do
what you can to keep your hands warm
(advance preparation is important). On
a casting rod, have a 6" or 7" Redfin,
Rebel, Thunderstick, or the like, and be
ready to cast. Your eyes will adjust to the a kid fishing”; this is one case where it
darkness. As the sky begins to lighten
slightly, it will seem to get a little "pink" accompany you.
in color. At that point, watch the water!
When you began to see bubbles coming
22 Discover Smith Mountain Lake WINTER 2022
to the surface, cast to the spot where
you see the bubbles. Lower your rod tip,
and very slowly retrieve your lure.
As the lure comes across the
surface, it will make a "V" shaped wake
as it comes toward you. When the strike
comes, it will seem very light; you'll
most likely hear the hooks rattle when
the fish hits. When he does strike, set
the hook, and the fight is on. This will
be a good fight and it is one of the best
opportunities to catch a striper over 20
lbs. The water temperature will be 50
degrees or colder, which means it is a
safe time to do catch-and-release if you
choose to do so.
When daylight arrives, it is time
to go in for breakfast and to warm
you will be arriving at the dock with a
boatload of good fish at a time when
others are just getting started. IF you
follow the moon phase, you can fish
again in the daylight in the center
of the channel or on humps in cove,
providing that you want to and you
have not reached your limit! Brave the
cold, but be prepared for it and you will
love the results!
You’ve often heard people say “Bring
may be much too cold for a young child to