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Captain Matt Hinman
One of the best Smith Mountain Lake fishing charter / guides at targeting trophy stripers. As captain of team Squidhound during the Striper Mafia series he’s won 3 team of the year awards, big fish of many tournaments and series including winning all 4 tournaments in 2019. Some of the best days on the water include multiple citations. Smith Mountain striped bass can be a challenge but Captain Matt’s passion for the fishery drives his passion to figure them out.
218 Northwest Lightning
Enjoy your smith mountain lake striper guides in a fully enclosed and heated boat. Whether its below freezing, pelting rain or perfect sunshine you’ll never know the difference in this cabin. No more freezing cold rides on cool mornings. Makes all the difference in the world. Loaded with the newest Hummingbird & Lowrance electronics. Lowrance radar for those foggy mornings and that extra bit of safety. Seigler & Daiwa reels round out the toys. Fish Smith Mountain Lake 365 days a year and enjoy every minute. Book your guide today!
smith mountain Lake Fishing charter - striped bass trophy patterns
- Spring – (March-May) Smith Mountain Lake fishing charter / guides starts in the Spring. As fish transition from the cold water deep forage patterns to spring the fish will go shallow. Sometimes being only feet off the banks. With spring usually one pattern dominates and that’s big gizzard shad. As the water warms these fish gorge themselves preparing for the upcoming spawn. Although they don’t successfully spawn at Smith Mountain Lake, they’ll try. Unlike many inland lakes where fish go upstream, SML striper concentrate on the lower lake. Many fish though will choose to spawn on main lake points or up creeks. This creates many dependable patterns that can produce trophy striper throughout the spring.
- Summer – (June-August) From the end May though June stripers can be caught during their post spawn feeding. Patterns will stay consistent with the spring and big bait will continue to work. As the water continues to warm the bait spawns will wrap up and the fish will begin moving to their summer locations. These fish will school throughout the summer and large schools of striper can be targeted on the lower half of the lake. Mornings with double and triples are common.
- Fall – (September-November) As the heat of summer begins to lessen its hold striper will start moving back up the river arms. Again the best trophy pattern involves big bait. Some of the best fishing can be had in the fall. October and November striper busting on the surface can be an exhilarating fishing experience.
- Winter – (December-February) Fall fishing patterns hold up into mid-late January on most years. Once water temperatures cool into the mid 40s its time for some jigging. By this time most fish have gone back to deeper water. If we have a warmer winter patterns the fall can continue well into the winter.
- Smith Mountain Lake striper fishing report – Check recent catches on our facebook page.
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Trophy SML Striped Bass
Book Your Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Charter today!! Fully Guided Striper trip with all the fishing gear, live bait for your best chance at a trophy sml striper