Smith Mountain Lake August Fishing Report - Schools coming back and so are the schools of fish!!!

It’s HOT out there. First and foremost before we jump into fishing make sure you guys are staying safe out there. Bring and drink tons of water in the boat, put on the sunscreen and wear breathable fishing style clothes. The sun can take a lot out of you on a long day of fishing so be prepared.

The lake is fishing well right now. Schools of all types of fish can be found on the main lake and even still some good largemouth up shallow still chasing bream. The water temps are ranging from 80 in the mornings to up around 83-84 by late afternoon. This can make the bite windows be smaller and make you have to cover a little more water. Check out the youtube video I just dropped for some August bass fishing tips. CLICK HERE

Largemouth and Smallmouth bass are set up in their summer patterns now. Target a depth of 15-25 feet for the most numbers of fish as well as some big ones. The fish are mostly on the main lake points and structure but some are still half way back in pockets. We are catching fish dragging baits. A football jig with an action packed trailer is a great starting choice in the mornings around rock piles and rocky points. A big worm 10”- 12” on a 3/8oz or 1/2oz texas rig is a great choice for throwing into the numerous brush piles we have here. Be sure to have a dropshot always handy if the fish are line shy. If you want to check shallow check for bream eating bass in the far back pockets under the last few docks by skipping a senko or flipping a bluegill style bait.

Stripers are schooled up together on main lake points, ditches and humps. The fish seem to be in the 20-35 foot range before the sun gets to high in the sky. After the sun is up over the trees you may be targeting them from 40-70 feet. Just like last month a spoon is your best friend this time of year to get the school activated. A simple hopkins 3/8oz or 1/2oz spoon on 15lb line is all you need. Find your schools of fish and rip that bait through them. Once one commits to the bait the rest of the school will follow. It’s also worth having a topwater at the ready when they bust the surface. A fluke can also be good.

Crappie are LOADED in the 25-35 foot range on brush and tree in the main river channel above the bridge. Live minnows are key. Take the time to graph with your electronics to get dialed on their locations.

If you’re down here with the kids it’s still a fantastic time to go bream fishing. Live bait from the tackle shops and a bobber are you best friend off the docks.