Late Report - Night Fishing Top Water May 16-22
May 29, 2015 6:47:14 GMT -5
mwardncsu and Gator like this
Post by PA Ken on May 29, 2015 6:47:14 GMT -5
Sorry about the late report. It took me a few days to catch up when I got back to the office.
Only four of us came down from PA this spring for our annual top water striper trip to Smith Mountain. This is our third year here. Previously, we went to Cumberland Lake in Kentucky. After our boat caught two stripers in the first half hour last year above Hales Ford... and then got blanked the rest of the week, we finally took the advice to concentrate on the lower part of the lake and reserved a cabin this year at the state park. Best decision we've ever made.
We picked a few up Saturday and Sunday night, but it was pretty slow. Lots of ales and busting fish but they didn't like the top water lures we were throwing (Thundersticks, Redfins, etc.) After a stop at Captain's Quarters on Monday morning, we were advised that F-18 Vampires and the blue Bomber Long-A's were hot. No problem... had them in the boat!
It turned out to be a good night on Monday and even a better one Tuesday with almost all fish coming on Vampires and the blue Bomber Long-A. While fishing the S-Curves, we boated 6 Monday night,8 Tuesday night and lost quite a few bringing them to the boat. The wind on Wednesday and Thursday nights killed the fishing for us although we managed to boat a couple. Finished up our last night, Friday, with our boat getting 3. Overall, we ended up boating 21 stripers during the week, ranging from about 21-29". Nothing huge but nice fat, healthy fish that were a blast on light tackle. This was the best trip that we've had since many years ago at Cumberland Lake. 21 fish in a week for 4 guys is pale in comparison to some of the posts that I read on the forum during year, but to my group, who only do this once a year, it was a huge success. Great lake, beautiful surroundings and good friends to share it with. That's why we come every year!
Many thanks to all of you that have provided advice on the forum from your posts and PMs! It has helped tremendously to better learn the lake and techniques that work. We're already planning our trip for next May.
Only four of us came down from PA this spring for our annual top water striper trip to Smith Mountain. This is our third year here. Previously, we went to Cumberland Lake in Kentucky. After our boat caught two stripers in the first half hour last year above Hales Ford... and then got blanked the rest of the week, we finally took the advice to concentrate on the lower part of the lake and reserved a cabin this year at the state park. Best decision we've ever made.
We picked a few up Saturday and Sunday night, but it was pretty slow. Lots of ales and busting fish but they didn't like the top water lures we were throwing (Thundersticks, Redfins, etc.) After a stop at Captain's Quarters on Monday morning, we were advised that F-18 Vampires and the blue Bomber Long-A's were hot. No problem... had them in the boat!
It turned out to be a good night on Monday and even a better one Tuesday with almost all fish coming on Vampires and the blue Bomber Long-A. While fishing the S-Curves, we boated 6 Monday night,8 Tuesday night and lost quite a few bringing them to the boat. The wind on Wednesday and Thursday nights killed the fishing for us although we managed to boat a couple. Finished up our last night, Friday, with our boat getting 3. Overall, we ended up boating 21 stripers during the week, ranging from about 21-29". Nothing huge but nice fat, healthy fish that were a blast on light tackle. This was the best trip that we've had since many years ago at Cumberland Lake. 21 fish in a week for 4 guys is pale in comparison to some of the posts that I read on the forum during year, but to my group, who only do this once a year, it was a huge success. Great lake, beautiful surroundings and good friends to share it with. That's why we come every year!
Many thanks to all of you that have provided advice on the forum from your posts and PMs! It has helped tremendously to better learn the lake and techniques that work. We're already planning our trip for next May.
