Smith Mountain Lake January - Still need more cold but the fish are ready to bite

I hope this fishing report finds you well and ready to wet a line at beautiful Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. January is a great time to target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, stripers, and crappie in the lake. We have seen large temperature swings again this fall and early winter that have made the fishing somewhat of a roller coaster, but the fish are where they should be and the next big cold snap should get things right on track.

The water temperature is usually in the low to mid 50s this time of year, so the fish will be a bit more sluggish. That said, you can still find some good action if you know where to look. Largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found in deeper water near points, drop offs, and underwater structures. Jigs, worms, and crawfish imitations are good choices for baiting these species, and you can fish them slowly along the bottom or with a slow hop-and-drop retrieve. Largemouth and smallmouth bass will also bite on crankbaits and early in the morning and late in the evening or on a windy day. On warm sunny days look to the rocks for bass holding close to get warm.

Stripers can be found in the main lake channels, and they can be caught using live bait such as shad or herring, or lures like jigs and swimbaits. A 1/2oz spoon or a jig head with a zoom fluke can be killer when the schools show up on the graph. Also keep an eye on the upper river areas for schooling birds or other fishermen.

Crappie can be found near underwater structures like brush piles and submerged trees. Live minnows or small jigs fished slowly near the bottom will do the trick, and you can also try small crankbaits and spoons.

Remember to pay attention to the weather and water conditions when fishing at Smith Mountain Lake in January, as these can greatly affect the fish's behavior and location. And don't be afraid to take your time and fish slowly, as the colder water temperatures will cause the fish to be a bit less active. Please be safe out there by wearing your lifejacket and having a change of clothes in the boat incase you take a fall.

I hope this report has been helpful, and I wish you tight lines and good luck out on the water. Happy fishing!