Page 28 - Discover Winter 2021
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Fisherman’s Almanac CONTINUED
we would have an identity. When that failed of dots on your graph. As the sky begans to
to come to fruition, we started the SML get a little lighter, you will see bubbles rising
Chamber of Commerce. to the surface. Cast a 5” or 6” plastic minnow
(Redfin, Rebel, Long-A or Thunder Stick)
WINTER FISHING TIPS toward the bubbles. Then holding your rod
tip down, retrieve very slowly, keeping the
Fishing for bass during late fall and lure on the surface, and wait for the strike.
winter months can be daunting. During This is a great time to catch a trophy.
the regular season, you have identifiable Once the sunlight establishes itself
structures to fish. Vegetation and the sun pretty well on the surface of the water, the
offer shaded areas, which will produce fish in fish and bait will go to the deep water in the
the heat of the day. Winter, however, does channel, at about 35 feet deep. That’s when
not give you any of those visible signs. you will want to switch over to jigging and
So what do we do? Now we need to trolling.
fish on the points, over structure and trees at When I troll for Stripers, I prefer to
depths you locate with your fish finder. These use lead core line. It is easier to get the lure
are usually found in winter about 30 feet down to the desired depth, and that should
down. be right above the school of fish that you
Jigging a jig, a spoon , or a soft plastic see on your graph. Again, troll as slowly as
worm should do well for you, and don’t be you can, and be mindful of the tree tops. It
afraid to use a larger plastic worm: jigging or is much easier to go over tree tops with lead
slow crawling it on the bottom, or even dead core line when pulling jigs and spoons. It is
sticking the worm, shaking the rod tip on more difficult to pull lines up when fishing
occasion. The water is much colder in winter. plastic lines pulling crank baits.
Everything has slowed down; therefore, so Usually, when fishing before daylight
should your fishing, if you want to make your like this, I go to breakfast when the sun
time productive. comes up, since by that time I usually have
Smith Mountain Lake is a good place caught my limit. Some folks might be less
to fish at steep drop-offs with a worm, a jig, inclined to navigate the lake in the dark.
or a spinner bait. A fish scent works well in By all means, if you don’t feel comfortable
combination with the soft plastic worms. Live traveling the lake before daylight, start later
bait also works well. Remember: the key to and troll or jig in daylight. You can still have
success in any winter fishing is patience. great success if you know what to do.
Fish for Walleye by jigging on the points.
They like low light situations, and here again, Improve a kid’s life and your own,
the water is cold, so taking it slowly is the TAKE A KID FISHING!
key. Jigging a soft bait or spoon, such as a Questions? Send me an Email! fishing@
Hopkins, also works very well. discoversmithmountainlake.com
Stripers can be caught in the early
morning hours, just as the first light of the
day starts to show in the sky. Keep your lights
from reflecting off of the water, and fish in
the coves. Pick a spot where you can see a lot
26 Discover Smith Mountain Lake WINTER 2020
