Smith Mountain Lake August Fishing Report - Some new techniques are working and i’m all for it
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE BAIT SHOP FOR ALL THE LATE SUMMER TACKLE
I RECOMMEND
Still getting lots of rain this summer and it’s starting to create some cool patterns this summer for some good sized largemouth. July was a interesting month with a lot more bluegill eating fish then I had the last few seasons this time of year. I’m actually not even really fishing that far off shore just yet…… but that is about to change.
As i’m writing this report we are dealing with a crazy 4-6 days of high temps in the mid 70’s and even a overnight low in the 50’s. We just got pounded with rain and it’s calling for a lot more next week as well. This is going to make those shallow fish go crazy and eat super well. Due to all the rain this year I am seeing a ton of bluegills staying super shallow because they have the cover in the riprap and laydowns to hide from the roaming wolf packs.
This extra water in the lake and the way that AEP is managing the level is also creating some amazing days of current on the lake that we don’t normally get this time of year. Downloading the SML+ app is a great way to see what CFS they are doing each day and keep an eye on the overall level of the lake.
Due to the high water it’s leading to some AMAZING big bait action and I think it’s going to continue for until they draw this water below 793 (if they even do this year). I have been tossing around a few big glides and getting some nasty takes and seeing some absolute GIANT largemouth. The top bait has been a Clutch Boss OG Glide in Natural Shad. This has been getting some monster takes around laydowns and some deeper docks. I’m also tossing around a KGB Chad Shad for some super choppy action in Fancy Shad. I am targeting both main lake areas, but also I am find a few really big fish all the way back in pockets. Super odd :)
As the summer progresses we are all going to start seeing larger bait schools together in the main river channel both in creeks and on the main lake. With both traditional sonar and livescope you will start to see that bait sitting very high in the water. This is going to bring on the great topwater summer bite that SML is known for. Using your mapping is a great way to find areas that are going to hold some bigger schools. My all time favorite summer time topwater is a walking bait for the strikes it gets. Some go to baits are a Evergreen SB Line or a Megabass Xdog.
We are getting even more lucky this summer because of this high water having to be let out of the dam and creating current almost every day. Think about the lake before it was a lake and where the old Roanoke river and Blackwater rivers would run. Follow those twist and turn and look for it crashing into points, docks, humps or bluff walls. The bait will be push very tightly against this type of topography and it’s game on after you find them.
That brings me to one of my favorite techniques to do and SML hasn’t had a great bite on it for 3+ years. Deep cranking is some of the most fun you can have on the water in the summer and it doesn’t have to be condition based because of the current. Finding those spots mentioned above, but add in a brush pile, hard spot or a rock pile and you will find some of the biggest bass of the summer season.
Just to be clear when I say deep cranking I mean DEEP. I am fishing three baits that are consistency getting bites. First is my go to on each day to see how aggressive they want to be. The Megabass Deep Six is a sneaky little deep crank. Designed to get down to 20+ feet quickly and balance out it has been the best I have found for getting down and being in the strike zone quick. Second is a Strike King 8XD. Some folks have a hard time tossing around something over sized, but I can promise you these fish have no problem eating something that size. Last is a Megabass Big M 7.5. Brandon Palaniuk made the Big M 4.0 famous on a win this year in Florida and this has caused a little shortage in the Big M series, but set a reminder to check back or find some on Ebay because the fish have never seen anything like this down that deep. These baits require a longer cranking rod and reel as well. I toss all of these baits on a Megabass Orochi XX Launcher 7’11. I crank with 12lb floro on a Shimano 200M Curado in 7:4:1 to pick up line on hooksets.
If the fish are not hitting those super fun bigger baits it’s time to call in the clean up baits. I am a die hard finesse guys so a dropshot is always on the deck, but I have also been playing around a ton this year with micro baits. For a dropshot I use a longer leader this time of year in that 10”-14” range. I rig each client with a Roboworm Rebarb hook in 1/0 size. I use a cylinder dropshot weight in 1/8oz 90% of the summer. Some of my go to baits for clients are a 4” Missile Baits Magic worm. I also like playing with minnow baits during the transitional moon phases and when the fish are heavy on baitfish. I lean heavy into Strike King Dream Shot when they are on bigger bait fish. When you need to show them something small the new Megabass Haze-ST has been crushing it on some smallmouth and nice largemouth around smaller baitfish schools. This I rig on a Gamakatsu Octopus light wire hook in 1/0 size.
I also have clients catching a lot of fish on Missile Baits Mirco Jigs in 3/8oz size with the matching Micro D Bomb trailers. Another fun deal has been Great Lakes Finesse Micro Juvy Craw 2”. We are tossing these baits on 6lb line around some mid depth rock piles for smallies with good numbers and size.
Even though a lot people think summer time fishing is tough it really can be one of the best months of the year. Put in some time finding those good topography spots and brush piles and you will catch fish. If you’re wanting to learn this type of fishing reach out soon to book a trip since I am booking quick. Always pack water this time of year and stay hydrated. Be safe and tight lines.