We don't hear much about that lake so I figure it's not very good fishing or a very well kept secret.
Could use some info about the lake. My daughters father in law lives on the lake and my daughter has been taking my grandson to the lake to fish on the weekends. All they are catching are gills, bass and cats. Does the lake have a crappie population? Usually what time of the year do they they move into the shallows. I would help them out but I live 600 miles away and I don't travel anymore. Thanks for any info.
We don't hear much about that lake so I figure it's not very good fishing or a very well kept secret.
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Bill H. PTC USN Ret
Chesapeake, Va
Crappie fishing is very good at Smith Mountain Lake.
It's no secret, you just don't hear very much about it, because Striper and Bass are the main fishing fare. A few folks fish for Crappie on a regular basis, but they are few and far between.
All the docks and "laydowns' almost always hold the fish.
Lots of Crappie in the lake, and some good sized one's too (citation size). Thats the beauty of no fishing pressure for the Crappie, they are plentiful and they do get big....
For SML fishing reports, try http://www.VirginiaFishingReports.net
Welcome aboard Ghost.
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Bill H. PTC USN Ret
Chesapeake, Va
Thanks ghost. My grandson is only 7 and is having a blast fishing off the docks for gills and bass. He is hooked. His other grandpa went out and bought a new pontoon so he could fish on a boat. Every time he goes to a store he skips the toy isle and heads to the fishing isle. My daughter says the grandpas have created a addict.
Visited your site. Nice job. Helps a lot.
There's a fellow up here in NW Pa that goes to Smith Mt. Every year for a month for stripers.
Last edited by CrappiePappy; 03-14-2018 at 10:53 AM.
Hey Bud,
I live a few minutes from the lake. I think the crappie fishin is great there. No not like Buggs used to be. The problem we have had the last few years was weather related. It went from winter holding areas to the bank. The laydowns are always good all spring. 10,000 docks on the lake . I love to shoot docks and do very well at Smith doing that. As far as the lake areas to fish. For me I do the best near the back of the Roanoke River arm, Gills creek and the black water river. Hope this helps a little.
Steve
Thanks for the info jarhead I'll pass the info on to my daughter. My wife asked my grandson if he wanted some candy for Easter and the little bugger said no he needed a new fishing pole and reel. He wants as many as grandpa has.
creeks north of the bridge.
Is it fair to say the upper end of the lake is the best for crappie??? My buddy and I go up every May to night fish for bass and stripers. After we recover from the night we try and crappie fish in the PM. We stay around R-19 I think which is mid-lake and have always went down the lake. Never caught a crappie where we stay around R-19 or down the lake??