Crews Says Spread Out and Cover Water for Big Smith Mountain Bass

 

By Pete Robbins 

 

In the five years that the Big Bass Tour has held fall events at Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake, it has never taken less than 7.17 pounds to claim the top prize. On three occasions, the winner has topped the 8-pound mark – and in 2022 some unhappy competitor earned only 2nd with an 8.21 – and yet this is one of the most strategy-based events of the year. 

 

That’s because fishing is so good right now, and Elite Series champion said that the winner could come on a number of patterns and from just about any part of the lake. 

 

“It’s good down at the dam and up both rivers,” he said. “The great thing about Smith Mountain is that only very rarely does one section of the lake dominate for big fish over the rest.” 

 

Moreover, he said the lake is healthy right now, and fish are firing on a number of patterns. 

 

“In local tournaments it’s consistently been taking 20 pounds or more to win,” he said. 

 

He’d likely focus on one of two baits: a jig and a topwater. 

 

“You can fish a jig – several different kinds of jigs, actually, from a foot deep down to 30 feet deep,” he explained. “You can fish them in brush piles, around docks, in rocks, but the one thing I know is that bigger fish on Smith Mountain bite a jig.” 

 

In the clearer sections of the lake, focus on browns, green pumpkins and watermelons, which can be used to represent both crawfish and the remaining shallow bluegill. Those bank-running bluegill are dwindling, but he also keeps them in mind when picking out his topwaters. 

 

 

“We’re also at the tail end of schooling action, but you can still find some of that on points and humps,” he said. “Choose your favorite one – a buzzbait, a plopper, a popper or a walking bait and just cover water. Sometimes you can just simply go down the bank. If they’re not on points or other structure, look where the baitfish are and start there. If the bluegill are there, focus on them, but otherwise it’ll be mostly shad or herring.” 

 

While he expects largemouths to populate the top of the overall leaderboard, he said that quality smallmouths are showing up more consistently as the year progresses, and “they’re suckers for a topwater. It’s probably the number one way to catch them, and you can use them to catch big largemouths, too.” 

 

Remember, smallmouths are good for hourly checks, and may even challenge for top honors in a particular hour. There are usually several periods where it takes a sub-five-pounder to win, so play your cards carefully and focus on feeding windows to do your damage. 

 

While the fishing has been exceptional, Crews said that if you’re struggling to get bites don’t hesitate to pick up a finesse technique like a shakey head or a micro jig. 

 

“Sometimes you’re just trying to get a bite and that can be the way to catch a 6-pounder,” he said. “Don’t be discouraged. Just keep on moving and eventually you’ll run into them.” 

 Berkley Lures for October at Smith Mountain Lake 

Key Topwaters 

And if you can get your hands on the new Screamin’ Choppo, it’ll offer the Smith Mountain bass something they’ve never seen or heard before 

Best Jigs 

Jig Trailers 

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