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Learn from the experts how to rig your boat for stripers


Wednesday, June 5, 2013


Looking for ideas on how to rig your boat for striped bass fishing at Smith Mountain Lake and beyond?

Members of the Smith Mountain Striper Club plan to have a variety of boats of different styles and sizes on display for the public at the Second annual In-Water Boat Show, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bridgewater Marina. In addition to boats and engines, there will be displays of fishing tackle, electronics, bait tanks and other equipment used by experienced striper anglers. You can get first-hand information from the boat owner/angler.

"This is a great opportunity for the public to learn more about fishing for striped bass at Smith Mountain Lake, as well as learn about the Smith Mountain Striper Club," said Mike Ward, a spokesman for the organization.

There will be no charge for the show, and if you would like to have the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary inspect your boat to make sure it meets safety standards, members will be available to do that.

The club also will be plugging its new tournament schedule, Ward said. The first event was held in May under a catch-photo-release format with the winners in several categories determined by the combined lengths of their two-fish limit. The open division was won by Chris May, whose two-top stripers measured 63.75 inches.

Upcoming tournaments are set for July 20, Sept. 14 and Nov. 2

www.smithmountainstriperclub.com/tournament-info.html

"Our upcoming July and September tournaments will be designated as harvest tournaments since the water temperatures are not conclusive to catch-and-release, and fish collected will be used for a club fish fry," Ward said.

Outdoor briefs

  • The nighttime is the right time to go fishing in June at Smith Mountain Lake, according to Dale Wilson, www.captaindalewilson.com veteran lake guide. That is the best way to deal with the clear water and the heavy boating traffic of summer. Baitfish continue to come shallow at night in June and that attracts striped bass and largemouth bass. Choose lures that make a wake as they travel on or near the surface. "Make sure to leave your running lights on after dark and wear your lifejacket," Wilson said.
  • Outdoor Life Magazine ranks Kentucky as the top whitetail trophy state in the country. The magazine's June/July issue said the western part of the state particularly is noteworthy for producing a high number of wall-hanging bucks. Complementing the abundance of bucks is a low density of hunters, which helped push Kentucky into first place. Kansas was second.
  • Backers of Senate Bill 170, which would protect hunting, fishing and sport shooting on millions of acres of public land, are pushing for a summer hearing. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance says it is time for sportsmen to contact their senators, asking them to co-sponsor the legislation.

Events, seasons, dates

  • Smith River Trout Unlimited Chapter meeting, Rania's Restaurant, Martinsville, today, 6:30 p.m., program by Mark Taylor of The Roanoke Times on his fishing trip to Alaska.
  • Free fishing days in Virginia, Friday-Sunday, fish without a license in all water except stocked trout streams and lakes.
  • Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting to give final attention to proposed hunting law changes, 9 a.m. June 13 at the agency's headquarters at 4000 W. Broad Street, Richmond www.HuntFishVA.com.
  • Virginia Bear Hunters Association fourth annual auction, June 15, Craig County Fairgrounds, New Castle, $5 adults, kids 15 and under free when accompanied by an adult, to benefit the association's scholarship program and kid's fishing carnival. Gates open 9 a.m., auction 10 a.m., new and used items, antiques, live music, concession, prizes, raffles, cake walk. Contact Richard Sprinkle, bearsinva@gmail.com
  • National Bobwhite Technical Committee, June 22-26, Hotel Roanoke.
  • Triangle Archers 3D tournament, June 23, on club range between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, $12, $25 per family, cub and pee wee $6, information from Jim Overfelt, 540-552-8023.
  • Triangle Archers 3D tournament, August 18, on club range between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, $12, $25 per family, cub and pee wee $6, information from Jim Overfelt, 540-552-8023.
  • Friends of NRA Banquet, Aug. 24, Salem Civic Center, doors open 5:30 p.m., 25 firearms up for grabs, tickets $45 for a single, $80 for a couple, $35 for youth, information and ticket available from Mike Kessler, 540-529-7304, and Al Milton, 540-797-7777.
  • Hunters for the Hungry banquet, Sept. 14, Moose Lodge on Virginia 311 in Roanoke County, tickets $25 for a single; $40 for a couple, tickets and information from Ralph and Lois Graybill, 540-427-5125, and John and Wanda Reed, 540-427-4788.
  • Triangle Archers 3D tournament, Sept. 22, on club range between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, $12, $25 per family, cub and pee wee $6, information from Jim Overfelt, 540-552-8023.

Have an event? Contact xtrails@earthlink.net

Saturday, September 14, 2013

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