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Post by gulper on Apr 30, 2021 16:13:28 GMT -5
Hey everyone! I took up bass fishing around this time last year as a quarantine hobby and immediately became obsessed with it. There were many days where I came up empty but I still enjoyed learning about the intricacies of bass fishing like different lures, techniques, etc. I did manage to catch one decent fish all last summer, this largemouth in the pic, and my face says it all! It was such a thrill to feel the tug of the line.
Now I have a golden fishing opportunity this year— renting a house with family on Smith Mt Lake for Memorial Day week. We’re getting a boat for the week with a fish finder and trolling motor (neither my brother nor I have much experience using them) and want to catch some largies! Would greatly appreciate any and all advice for relative novices—where to find them, what lures will be best that time of year, etc. Will we still be in the thick of the spawn at that point or will it be more of a post spawn pattern? Thanks all and happy fishing 🎣
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johnr
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Post by johnr on Apr 30, 2021 17:22:46 GMT -5
It’ll be post spawn.
I heard 6-15’ is a good depth to drag worms, lizards, and creatures on Carolina rigs. I think they’ll eat any color as long it’s green pumpkin.
Do a search in the bass reports and focus on Airborne31’s stuff. His info is all you need.
Bass are from one end to the other on this lake.
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Post by gulper on Apr 30, 2021 19:21:22 GMT -5
It’ll be post spawn. I heard 6-15’ is a good depth to drag worms, lizards, and creatures on Carolina rigs. I think they’ll eat any color as long it’s green pumpkin. Do a search in the bass reports and focus on Airborne31’s stuff. His info is all you need. Bass are from one end to the other on this lake. Thanks for the tips. We’re staying at the lower lake are near parkway marina so plan to fish around the state park a lot. I have a shaky head kit with a bunch of worms and creatures I plan to get a lot of use out of. Also will have a variety of cranks spinnerbaits chatterbait and swimbaits mostly in shad colors. Lots of folks have told me this time of year will be dynamite for night fishing on SML, is that your experience too? |
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johnr
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Post by johnr on Apr 30, 2021 19:56:24 GMT -5
It’ll probably be towards the tail end of the night bite but if you have some luck with the timing, it can be great fishing.
You’ll be in a good area.
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piper
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Post by piper on May 3, 2021 7:31:01 GMT -5
Hey everyone! I took up bass fishing around this time last year as a quarantine hobby and immediately became obsessed with it. There were many days where I came up empty but I still enjoyed learning about the intricacies of bass fishing like different lures, techniques, etc. I did manage to catch one decent fish all last summer, this largemouth in the pic, and my face says it all! It was such a thrill to feel the tug of the line.
Now I have a golden fishing opportunity this year— renting a house with family on Smith Mt Lake for Memorial Day week. We’re getting a boat for the week with a fish finder and trolling motor (neither my brother nor I have much experience using them) and want to catch some largies! Would greatly appreciate any and all advice for relative novices—where to find them, what lures will be best that time of year, etc. Will we still be in the thick of the spawn at that point or will it be more of a post spawn pattern? Thanks all and happy fishing 🎣
Welcome my friend. I will say Memorial week/weekend is typically absolute mayhem on the lake. Not sure if they are doing the annual poker run, if so the kids would probably love that, just stay out of the way.  Ive found the night bite, early morning bite is best. Toward the dam, water is a bit clearer and florocarbon will be your friend. Tight lines. |
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Post by 31Airborne on May 3, 2021 10:30:53 GMT -5
thsi will be one of the busiest weekends of the year, probably more so as we can kinda see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel. if you're not an experienced boater you might wanna consider restricting your fishing to the creek/coves close to where you're staying. the other regulars on here will confirm this - it'll be insane. bottom line: fish are indeed everywhere. every point, rock pile, tree, or brush pile will hold'em.
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johnr
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Post by johnr on May 3, 2021 11:36:05 GMT -5
I would tend to agree with the traffic assessment.
However, lake traffic is VERY low so far this spring, especially when compared to last year.
But it is true, Memorial Day weekend is usually bonkers.
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piper
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Post by piper on May 3, 2021 20:36:13 GMT -5
thsi will be one of the busiest weekends of the year, probably more so as we can kinda see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel. if you're not an experienced boater you might wanna consider restricting your fishing to the creek/coves close to where you're staying. the other regulars on here will confirm this - it'll be insane. bottom line: fish are indeed everywhere. every point, rock pile, tree, or brush pile will hold'em. I agree 1000% . Ive found early morning is a solid time until the kids fire up the ski doos, then all bets are off. I also found just around sunset and a few hours after can be fun as well. You should find some calmer water back in Elmos, Cedar keys. Way back in Craddocks can be a ton of fun again until the renters at Mariners Landing wake up. I personally would avoid anything going uplake, especially around the S curves. For the unfamiliar this can be a dangerous spot. |
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Post by gulper on May 4, 2021 6:36:14 GMT -5
thsi will be one of the busiest weekends of the year, probably more so as we can kinda see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel. if you're not an experienced boater you might wanna consider restricting your fishing to the creek/coves close to where you're staying. the other regulars on here will confirm this - it'll be insane. bottom line: fish are indeed everywhere. every point, rock pile, tree, or brush pile will hold'em. We are experienced enough to stay safe but are fully expecting it to be crowded out there. Everyone has told us that Memorial Day weekend is a zoo on the lake. Since we are renting Sat-Sat (starting 5/29) we're hoping it becomes a bit more manageable during the mid-week. Our goal is to make the best of the early morning and evening hours when the lake is less busy. We'll be staying close to Parkway Marina and definitely plan to stick within a few mile radius--lake is just way too big to be trying to cover it all in one week. Plus boat gas is expensive  |
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Post by 31Airborne on May 4, 2021 8:47:07 GMT -5
good. gotta tell ya - if you're putting in at Parkway you don't need to leave Craddock Creek. lots of good stuff to fish from the islands at the mouth all the way back. some really cool points w/ complex structure. tons of planted brush. some terrific ledges and channel swings. best to learn a new lake is to take it in small bites. Craddock would be a great place to do that.
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Post by gulper on May 4, 2021 10:05:15 GMT -5
thsi will be one of the busiest weekends of the year, probably more so as we can kinda see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel. if you're not an experienced boater you might wanna consider restricting your fishing to the creek/coves close to where you're staying. the other regulars on here will confirm this - it'll be insane. bottom line: fish are indeed everywhere. every point, rock pile, tree, or brush pile will hold'em. I agree 1000% . Ive found early morning is a solid time until the kids fire up the ski doos, then all bets are off. I also found just around sunset and a few hours after can be fun as well. You should find some calmer water back in Elmos, Cedar keys. Way back in Craddocks can be a ton of fun again until the renters at Mariners Landing wake up. I personally would avoid anything going uplake, especially around the S curves. For the unfamiliar this can be a dangerous spot. Thanks for the tips! I have been studying the maps and had marked Cedar Keys as a nice looking spot. Also looks like Bull Run creek has some nice secluded coves that may be less traveled. What do you mean by Elmos? |
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piper
New Member
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Post by piper on May 4, 2021 20:57:45 GMT -5
I agree 1000% . Ive found early morning is a solid time until the kids fire up the ski doos, then all bets are off. I also found just around sunset and a few hours after can be fun as well. You should find some calmer water back in Elmos, Cedar keys. Way back in Craddocks can be a ton of fun again until the renters at Mariners Landing wake up. I personally would avoid anything going uplake, especially around the S curves. For the unfamiliar this can be a dangerous spot. Thanks for the tips! I have been studying the maps and had marked Cedar Keys as a nice looking spot. Also looks like Bull Run creek has some nice secluded coves that may be less traveled. What do you mean by Elmos? From a member in 2014. Should apply today. Hey guys, Just wanted to give you a heads up. Don't fish SML that much, but did fish it all last week (6/7 through 6/14). There is a very nice school of fish right now located behind rock island near the dam. Not sure of the name of that creek, just locate rock island on your chart and go behind the island up into that creek/cove. From daylight until 9:30am, these fish are actively busting bait on the surface, feeding, taking live bait on downlines, you name it and they are doing it. Get in there and get on it while the action is still hot. This scenario that I am describing played out every morning last week like clockwork. Tight lines everyone. |
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Post by quackquackboom on May 5, 2021 7:28:42 GMT -5
If you don’t have a lot of boating experience it’s not a good idea to be out on smith mountain at night. Even worse to be out at night during a holiday week.
This lake can be disorienting for folks who aren’t used to plus night driving is plenty dangerous as is.
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Post by gulper on May 5, 2021 7:33:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips! I have been studying the maps and had marked Cedar Keys as a nice looking spot. Also looks like Bull Run creek has some nice secluded coves that may be less traveled. What do you mean by Elmos? From a member in 2014. Should apply today. Hey guys, Just wanted to give you a heads up. Don't fish SML that much, but did fish it all last week (6/7 through 6/14). There is a very nice school of fish right now located behind rock island near the dam. Not sure of the name of that creek, just locate rock island on your chart and go behind the island up into that creek/cove. From daylight until 9:30am, these fish are actively busting bait on the surface, feeding, taking live bait on downlines, you name it and they are doing it. Get in there and get on it while the action is still hot. This scenario that I am describing played out every morning last week like clockwork. Tight lines everyone. Dang now there's a tip! I will definitely check out that spot in the morning and report back. Thanks! |
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Post by gulper on May 5, 2021 7:34:56 GMT -5
If you don’t have a lot of boating experience it’s not a good idea to be out on smith mountain at night. Even worse to be out at night during a holiday week. This lake can be disorienting for folks who aren’t used to plus night driving is plenty dangerous as is. Totally agree. I should've been clear--we plan to fish from the dock at night and will only take the boat out from dawn-dusk. Any tips for night fishing off the dock are welcome too! |
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Ive found the night bite, early morning bite is best. Toward the dam, water is a bit clearer and florocarbon will be your friend. Tight lines.
