July 2nd we watched fireworks from Mitchell’s Pointe Marina to support Semper Fi. As we sat there, the air dried out and cooled down to 70 degrees. For those not familiar with Virginia, this is a pleasant break from the normal heat and humidity.

Last night set the stage for this morning. Landed 5 large mouth with the top one weighing out at 2.5 lbs (PB). Lost another 5 while trying to land them on the boat. Had many other hits.

Began fishing at 5am and was off the water by 7:15. Great way to start the day.

Now off to watch my son compete in the Beast Lake Race

The past 3 days were very successful at Smith Mountain Lake. Nearly a dozen large mouth bass caught on whopper poppers.

Lost a number of stripers.

All fish were safely returned to the lake to make more fish and get bigger!

The bite was on as the weather front draped over the lake.

I just realized I posted 2 pix of the same fish. Here is the second fish.

Yes, first was smaller. I believe the second was a large mouth.

After further investigation and without talking to a local angler, I believe I caught an small mouth and an large mouth.

I could be wrong. I will ask a local at some point. Either way. I caught. I released. Everyone happy!

Nope. They were definitely large mouths. I believe SML has 3 or 4 largemouth species and now colors are getting unusual

What happened to my pix? I showed my 2 small largies!

😉

Today’s catch are 2 small large mouth.

Broke off a Third as I attempted to hoist it over the gunwale with 12 lbs stren. Stupid!

The one that broke off was as big as a whale! - Now if that’s not a fisherman’s tale

Thanks

I also think next time I will have at least one rod set up with a jig head and white fluke tale. As I approached area at 8:40, the fish were extremely thick at 100 feet. About 9:00 they began their assault on the rip rap.

Do you think the spawn will continue until Memorial Day?

Last Saturday night I fished the s curves, adjacent to State Park, from 9-10:30 with just a sliver of a moon. Heard the fish crashing along the rip rap, but no takers to my top water lures. Fish jumping around the boat too. Not in big numbers, but active. Coming back down Memorial day weekend starting Thursday before.

Charlottesville. Why do you ask?

Had a “small” breakthrough weekend at the lake. Caught a white perch Friday. Caught a yellow perch on Saturday. Completed the weekend by catching a small striper. All fish were smalls.

Heck of a lot of fun fishing, watching Osprey, Bald Eagles and minks swimming along the edge of the water.

At the Pointe with a 17.5 center console aqua sport.

Thus far have not had much success; however, I have been successful in hitting rainy weekends!

Heading back down early December to see what Cobbs creek may have to offer.

Btw dwieds, where do you fish at SML?

Just started “trying” to fish it for the first time in 40 years.