July Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Report by Captain Chad Green

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE FISHING REPORTBy: Captain Chad Greenwww.lastcastguideservicesml.com

July is hot and the fishing can be as well. The Shad spawn will start winding down and summer patterns will start. Get out on the water when you can and enjoy the sunrises and sunsets. Practice catch and release as much as possible to preserve our great fisheries out there. As always, just make one more Last Cast as it could be the next trophy fish.

Visit Captains Quarters Marina at Hales Ford Bridge for any tackle that you may need and they will fix you up.Visit https://missilebaits.store/and check out all they have to offer.Special Thanks to Brian Carter at the https://thebasscast.com/Check out Smith Mountain Boat and Tackle Penhook for your boating needs https://www.smboats.com

PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE ON CITATION SIZE FISH

Largemouth Bass/Smallmouth BassThe Bass are moving in to their summer patterns starting in July. They will be located on primary and secondary points that have transition areas near them. The depth range will vary each day this month depending on rain, sunlight and temperatures. Target rocky areas, flat points shallow drop offs and deeper docks. Topwater in the mornings can be productive this month and will produce some quality fish if you find the right areas with shad activity. Crankbaits can be a key player early in the morning and later in the evening as well. Primary baits in June are usually soft plastics producing the most bites. Shakey Heads, Plastic worms, Drop shots and Jigs in the 10-20 ft range. Night time fishing will be great this month as well. Try large profile baits in the same depth ranges especially around dawn and dusk. This is a great opportunity to catch some trophy fish and multiples per night is very common. Smallmouth will still be found near humps, shoals and rocky areas using the same lures. Some larger fish can be caught in shallow water early and late in the day that are feeding on bluegills-sunfish. Make stealthy approaches to the areas you are seeing the small fish and use bluegill imitating lures, topwater, jigs, and Shakey head will be productive also.

Striped BassStriper fishing will change this month and look for them in larger schools as they start to group up for summer. They will travel in smaller schools searching for feeding opportunities. Bait on down lines pulled 20-40ft will produce fish as well pull some on float rigs. This month flukes, swimbaits etc. in the 20-40 ft range will produce fish throughout the day as well. The lower end of the lake to mid lake is where most of the action will be this month. Some fish can be found on the surface feeding early mornings on the lower end of the lake and can be fast and furious action. Look in larger creek arm entrances for these congregating schools. Larger topwater plugs can be productive. Swing by Captains Quarters Marina they provide you with a great selection of what you need.

CrappieMost of the Crappie have started their summer journey as well. Try deeper trees and larger docks with deep water in the 10-20 foot range.

Tournaments JulySML bassmasters open July 8th parkway marina 6-2Tues night 630-1030pm and Friday night 8pm-2am Tournaments all summer at captains quarters marinaSaturday night Tournaments 8pm-2am Foxport Marina

Special Thanks to Brian Carter at the www.TheBassCast.com

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