Smith Mountain Lake October Fishing Report - Fall Topwater, Hurricane Helene and Bait
DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE BAIT SHOP FOR ALL THE FALL TACKLE
I USE
October at Smith Mountain Lake is a prime time for bass fishing as the water temperatures drop, fish become more active, and the fall feeding frenzy kicks into gear. On top of the cooling effects of nature it’s Hurricane season. Helene just came through with devastating force and with it came higher water. If you can spare some supplies or money find a local church or organization and please give to the help efforts.
With the higher water and changing temps comes a lot of movement from all species of fish. All the way from the migration patterns of minnows to the large schools of stripers, a lot is about to change and quick. Following bait is one of the most important things this month. Using your electronics and more specifically side scan is key to keep up with the bait. I like to start backwards from most by finding bait in the backs of pockets and working my way out to the main lake. This allows me to see if single bigger fish are moved up and back faster than the schoolers coming in. This also allows you to see where in the pockets the schools are located which can be replicated around the entire lake. The goal this month should be to find how far back the fish have moved to increase the number of bites you can get in a day.
Lure’s this month are about to be super fun. It’s a hard turn towards power fishing and lots of topwater action. I’t time to put away a lot of the spinning set ups and grab those Dobyns rods for some fast action fishing.
For me one of the best ways to break the water down quick this time of year is a crankbait. I’m tossing around a squarebill a lot like the Megabass SonicSide or a Z1 checking everything from shallow laydowns, rock veins to even paralleling dock post. Being around bait is the most important part to this. I try to focus on ambush spots in areas where bait is around as bass tend to stick close to those waiting for the bait balls to pass by. This is also why I will always have a topwater ready handing off the side of the boat. I like to have 2-3 different baits ready based on size. The minnows are all different sizes this time of year as well as the gizzard shad around moving back so there is some large meals swimming around. I am always ready with a Megabass Pop-X , a Megabass Dog-X Diamante and a Megabass Karashi Twitch Bait. This covers a wide range of sizes. Always be experimenting to find out what the bass want that day or in a certain area. Keep your eyes peeled for bait balls swimming around and see if you can find out the hatch size.
As much as I don’t like throwing it it’s also time for the spinnerbait bite to kick off. I don’t throw these around a ton, but of course it works. It’s one of the best baits for bouncing around cover and can still get some monster bites. I like throwing a Megabass SV-3 in 1/2oz to match the smaller bait or a Dobyns D-Blade Beast Series in a 3/4 and upsize the blades to 7’s to show them something oversized.
Last is a jerkbait, a lot of dudes really don’t throw this until we get into the colder months, but it will shine this time of year. Again, paying attention to the size of the bait swimming around should help you decide what size to throw. Megabass of course offers the Vision 110, but also keep an open mind to how small you can go and still get monster bites. The 110 jr is great as well as the Megabass X-80 TD. I like to try some whacky colors as well like that Table Rock SP or Northern Secret if the water has a little stain.
Striper fishing again is about to be lights out this month with fish really starting to school together. Check river channel swings half way back into pockets or even all the way back on the flats as the water temp begins to fall quickly. Topwater is the best way to get some killer bites on those schools.
Tight lines and be safe out there!