Thursday, June 25, 2009
Fishing report
An overnight campout on their Smith Mountain Lake dock produced this 23-pound flathead catfish for Moneta's Erich Faber and his 5-year-old son, Luke.
Mark Taylor is outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times.
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Mark Taylor
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Overview
Given the choice, most fishermen would choose active fishing over a passive approach. It's usually just more fun to be casting and moving.
That said, sometimes it can be satisfying to slow things down, especially when you're with friends whose conversation can help pass the time.
Catfish, which are found in most waters in this region, are among the targets best-suited for such an approach, because their foraging efforts can bring them to you and your bait.
June can be a good month for catfish action because the fish are moving into shallows to spawn. Just fan cast a bunch of baits -- live bait for flatheads; nightcrawlers or dough bait for channels -- around a cove or point, sit back and wait for action.
Lakes
Morning striper fishing remains good at Smith Mountain Lake, reported Hawk Lamb at Captain's Quarters Marina. Lamb said the fish are at about 25 feet, with live bait on downlines the best technique. Trollers are starting to pick up some stripers but that bite is just getting going. Carolina rigs and Senkos are working well on bass, which are moving into their deeper summertime holding spots on brush piles, main lake points and ledges. Catfish aren't getting too much attention, but those who are focusing on the fish are catching plenty of channels and flatheads.
At Claytor Lake, finesse tactics such as worms on shaky heads and drop shot rigs, continue to be the best bet for bass. A few anglers are making decent catches -- it took more than 15 pounds to win the Tuesday night tournament -- but fishing is generally pretty tough. Catfish action remains good.
Streams
Water levels are excellent in the region's rivers and creeks.
Wes Hensley at H&H Outdoors reported that live hellgrammites are producing good James River smallmouth action.
Smallmouth action has also been excellent on the New River, reported John Zienius at Big Z's in Radford. Hard jerkbaits are among the top lures.
Saltwater
Spadefish are available in good numbers in the lower Chesapeake Bay around structure. Cobia action remains solid for anglers setting up chum slicks on the shoals.
