By
Reed Montgomery
Reeds Guide Service (205) 787-5133
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
Impounded
1961
Lake level: full pool (may be down by mid summer
due to drought)
Water temperature: mid to upper 80's
Summer on Smith Lake
Most
anglers will just pass up this fishing report. Why read it,
if you don't fish it? But to many anglers surprise, Smith
Lake, Alabama's often toughest lake to decipher in the summer
season is actually fished by a lot of anglers...that do like
Smith Lake! Some anglers live near Smith Lake others live on
the lake and visit it daily. Even the locals know, there are
going to be times when they too struggle to even get bit!
Bass tournament anglers that must visit this lake while fishing
such major bass tournament trials as FLW Outdoors or Bassmasters
have discovered the same tough fishing conditions no matter
what the season or what the conditions. But at times, these
professional anglers hit the lake during the right season or
under the right conditions and they actually make it look easy
to fool the lakes spotted bass and largemouth bass while being
filmed on Television.
* Still, the hotter it gets, the harder it gets to fool a good
bunch of bass on Smith Lake, a very deep, clear water impoundment.
Some anglers fish deep during the day. Others just resort to
night fishing. So here's some tips and advice for both day
and night fishing Smith Lake this summer season;
FISHING SMITH LAKE DURING THE DAY
The beginning of summer displayed some very comfortable days
with air temperatures in the mid to upper 80's. Rain each week
and constant evening thundershowers kept the lake close to
full pool all throughout the month of June.
But rest assured its going to get hotter. Last summer the lake
was down due to drought and air temperatures were near 105
degrees. This kept most daytime anglers off the lake. Most
anglers just resorted to night fishing. Still, for those that
braved the heat surprisingly they caught fish! For no matter
what the conditions, just like we humans, these bass have got
to eat.
One thing most anglers know, or they soon discover when first
fishing Smith Lake is, its deep! Its not unusual to see depths
of over 100 feet deep when just fishing near the bank. Deeper
water of 300 feet or deeper also exits and at times you just
seem lost on this very deep and intimidating man made impoundment.
But just like when fishing any lake always keep in mind, there
are catchable bass in shallow water even along the deep banks
of Smith Lake. But just how deep should an angler be targeting
Smith Lake's bass this summer season?
Most anglers head to Smith Lake thinking deep. That's good,
that's the right attitude for tackling this lake! Even at night
anglers report fooling bass in the deep, dark depths of Smith
Lake. Some anglers have reported catching bass (whether day
or night fishing) as deep as 100 feet deep! This is very deep
water to fool any bass in Alabama. Deep, on most reservoirs
found throughout the state is usually shallower than the 40
foot mark!
So, do you fish that deep on Smith Lake this summer? No not
all the time. Maybe while just experimenting in deep water
or when seeking those huge bass that often do live in some
very deep water on Smith Lake. But for targeting the majority
of Smith Lake's bass, they can be found in water depths less
than 50 feet deep. Some bass may suspend out over deeper water,
but they are rarely found hugging the lakes bottom in water
50 feet deep or deeper.
* So, yes you should think deep this summer while fishing this
lake, but keep it in the 50 foot or less depths or try fishing
shallower water that shows baitfish activity or schooling bass.
LURES FOR FISHING DURING THE DAY ON SMITH LAKE
Lures can be cast an allowed to sink to the lakes bottom, vertical
jigged right under the boat, fished in mid water depths or
fished close to the waters surface. There are times to be fishing
each type of lure at different depths.
Mornings (at dawn) on Smith Lake shows that both spotted bass
and largemouth bass can be very active in the shallows. These
bass roam the shallows all night and anglers arriving at dawn
are just interrupting their last feeding session, before heading
back to deeper water for the day. Cloudy mornings or rain can
extend this shallow morning bite.
Topwater lures should always be rigged and ready for some early
morning surface action. Schooling bass can erupt at any time,
so always have lures like zara spooks, zara super spooks, Sammie's,
chuggers, pop-r's, baby torpedoes, the spittin' Image and other
types of topwaters that simulate the baitfish these bass are
feeding on. Main lake points, around islands, along flats,
near piers and boathouses and even along deep, rock bluffs
are good places for an early morning topwater bite.
* Late evenings may show the same action on top as well along
rock bluffs, places near deep water these bass hang around
during the day.
* Covering water fast on Smith Lake may be the best way to
find that active school of bass, from dawn until mid mornings,
during these hot summer days. Before the sun gets high sending
these bass back to deep water.
Deep diving crankbaits, suspending and floating model jerkbaits
and lipless lures in shad colors are good search lures. Getting
a few bites in any spot, may show these active bass suddenly
turn off to these lures. But they do not go far. Searching
within a 100 yard stretch of bank -- either up the lake or
down the lake from where you had a few bites -- is all it takes
to soon activate the school again.
Another good search lure on Smith Lake is a jigging spoon.
Always bring plenty of jigging spoons (in all weights), for
they do hang up and you will lose a few. Try using 1/4 ounce
spoons for fishing in water 10-30 feet deep. If fishing deeper
you should have some 1/2 ounce to one ounce spoons rigged.
Also invest in a good plug retriever or make your own (an old
spark plug works good), they will pay for themselves real fast!
Finesse fishing with small plastic lures utilizing light tackle
outfits, has become a very good way to get these Smith Lake
bass to bite in clear water when temperatures soar. Small worms,
small crayfish imitations, lizards, shad imitations and small
creature baits, can be rigged on a weighted jig head, or Texas-rigged
and Carolina-rigged. A drop shot rig has the weight on the
lakes bottom. The lure is tied about a foot or higher above
the weight. A great technique for discovering bass holding
up above the lakes bottom.
* Colors for lures rigged these ways on Smith lake should be
translucent or natural colors. Watermelon with black flack.
Pumpkinseed with a dyed chartreuse tail, root beer, cotton
candy, smoke glitter, light green, blue or red. Fishing very
deep may call for the use of more solid colors of black, brown,
purple or dark green.
Also try spinnerbaits, shallow-to-mid running crankbaits and
always try all sizes of swim baits for targeting Smith Lake's
bigger bass during these daytime excursions.
FISHING SMITH LAKE AT NIGHT
The anglers that fish Smith Lake at night often do it all summer
long. Its hard to go back to sweating in the hot summer sun
when tempted by Alabama's cooler night fishing and less people
on the lake. Smith Lake is a very recreational lake during
the summer months. To achieve good results while fishing for
Smith Lake's bass you need a little peace and solitude at times.
So fishing at dawn, or during late evenings or night fishing
is the only way to avoid having to deal with these summertime
crowds
Actually night fishing begins in late evenings. Most anglers
launch, when most boaters are leaving the lake for the day.
Just before it gets dark, there is about one hour period that
these bass may move up to feed. Being in the right place at
this time is what it takes to discover these late evening bass.
Look for places away from the evening crowds. The further you
are from any major boat launch, the better your chances are
of discovering that huge school of undisturbed bass. Flats
in major creeks or flats along main lake cuts and pockets are
good places. Especially if schools of baitfish are evident.
As the sun drops low these baitfish begin to surface in schools
that can be seen as they dimple the water's surface or as bass
get under them and cause them to panic along the waters surface,
they get visible too.
During night hours bass can be anywhere. Shallow like up on
one of Smith Lakes long shallow points or they can be found
deeper along the sides and ends of points that drop into deeper
water. So be ready for both shallow water bass and those that
dwell in deep water at night, with lures like small worms for
shallow water or bigger more gaudy worms in deeper water.
* You may even have to get your boat in shallow water and then
cast your lures to the deeper water dragging your lures up
drop-offs, ledges and in deep water cover like rocks, boulders
and wood cover.
LURES FOR NIGHT FISHING SMITH LAKE
Their are a lot of lures you normally fish during the day,
that will work at night as well. Some lures many anglers fail
to even try. So Smith Lake bass do not get lure-conditioned,
if they have not seen as many...like with lures everybody else
fishes.
* Try dropping heavy spinnerbaits into deep water. Use 1/2
ounce to one ounce, single # 4 to # 6 size Colorado blades
in darker colors of black or purple.
* Crankbaits work at night just like during the day. Run your
deep diving crankbaits along main lake points and try bumping
objects or making bottom contact. Wide wobblers featuring internal
rattles are best to aid the bass in locating your crankbaits.
* Lures like Rattletraps or Cordell Rattlin' Spots are good
at night. Long casts along points, on flats, around rock bluffs
and islands are good places for these noisy nighttime lures.
* Suspending jerkbaits work at night fished with fast, erratic
actions or try to use a sudden "dead stop" for as
long as you and the bass can stand it. Following bass may hit
these lures close to the boat, so always stall the lure before
pulling it out of the water.
* Topwater lures are good at night. Frogs, rats and buzzbaits
fished around any weeds or well lighted areas like piers can
be tremendous lures for big bass, especially from midnight
until dawn. Also try an old favorite, the "Jitterbug" a
waddling topwater lure Smith lake bass cannot resist!
* Big worms, oversized lizards, large tube baits, big creature
baits, large plastic crayfish and gaudy looking jig combos
are at their best on Smith Lake when fished after dark. Include
scents and add internal rattles, using big sharp hooks and
fish these bigger bass lures on 17-20 pound test line. Fish
these "big bass
meals" around places that are well lighted like marinas, piers, boat houses,
around bridges, causeways and the dam area.
* Looking for help fishing this summer and fall season on Smith
Lake day or night? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! " Over 30 years fishing Smith
Lake and all Alabama lakes for largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass
and striped bass." Call (205) 787-5133 Or E-mail me at alabassgyd@aol.com or see my guide service link at my website: www.fishingalabama.com for more info.
* Looking for the worlds best bass boat? See: www.rangerboats.com
* Need a new or used boat? Go to: www.airportmarine.com and
see their tournament trail link there too.
* Looking for fishing tackle, rods, reels, fishing equipment
or hunting items? See www.marksoutdoors.com
Be careful when boating on our very crowded lakes this summer!
Reed Montgomery
/ Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery
Radio Show
" Celebrating 5 Years on the Radio Jan 2004"
Sunday Morning's 9-10 A.M. Central Time
Radio Station WJOX 690 AM Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
" Over 30 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com
