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Fishing report for August 29, 2013

Courtesy of Doug Goldsmith

Lilly Goldsmith was trying to connect with smallmouth bass when this muskie inhaled her white spinnerbait.

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Bragging rights

Garnering a 23rd place in the recent Bassmaster Elite Series tournament on Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie out of Detroit, John Crews of Salem clinched seventh place in the series.

Mark Taylor | 981-3395

Thursday, August 29, 2013

This weekend marks a transition from summer to fall, at least in terms of recreation.

It will be a big weekend for recreational boating activity on lakes and rivers. Of course the weather can affect that. The current forecast is for warm days with chances for thunderstorms, which means things will be busy except during squalls.

The good news for fishermen is that weather conditions stand to be pretty consistent over the next few days, which means fishing should be decent. The key for anglers will be to get out either early or late, before or after the fun-seekers hit the water.

After Labor Day, recreational traffic will wane and fishermen will start taking over.

September is a transitional month, and fishing should keep improving as the cool weather of fall approaches.

Lakes

Night fishing for bass is slowing at Smith Mountain Lake, reports Dewayne Lamb at Captain’s Quarters Marina. A weekend night tournament required just 6 pounds to win. Lamb and partner Mike Sustek won the Tuesday night tournament with 11.95 pounds and the only five-fish limit. None of the fish came after dark.

Crankbaits, Texas-rigged plastics and jigs worked around rocky main lake points continue to be the best producers, Lamb said.

Stripers remain packed in schools around creek mouths, at depths of about 30 feet. Live bait on downlines is still the most favored method of targeting the fish. As the thermocline continues to dissipate, look for the schools to begin to break up and the fish to spread out.

Crappie are around structure at depths of about 15 feet.

Bass fishing has been fair at Claytor Lake, where finesse tactics continue to be the best bet.

Rivers

The New River both above and below Claytor Lake is at its lowest level since late June, and smallmouth bass action has been good. Muskies are always a possibility.

The arrival of clear, sunny weather slowed fishing on the James River over the weekend, but the action picked back up with the return of normal, muggy summer weather.

Terrestrial flies remain a top choice for trout fly anglers on tailwaters.

Saltwater

Marlin action has been good for Virginia’s offshore fleet, while cobia fishing remains solid in the lower Chesapeake Bay.

The surf around Buxton on North Carolina’s Outer Banks is full of whiting and small bluefish.

Saturday, September 14, 2013