Smith Mountain region water holds at 62 as fall settles in

What's next

Water in the low 60s and falling should keep fish moving toward the shallows and following baitfish. Expect the best action when mornings are cool and the sun is low. A New Moon today means dark nights and little moonlight influence, so feeding windows tend to follow the clock more than the lunar pull. Dawn and the last two hours of daylight are the windows to plan around.

If the water keeps cooling over the coming days, expect fish to stack up around cover close to deeper water. Per Tactical Bassin, a finesse approach is worth having rigged on tough days. Tiny topwater baits, swimbaits and small jigs are the options they highlight for pressured fish.

Flow at 545 cfs on gauge 02075045 is a reading to keep checking. A change there will move fish, particularly anywhere current meets slack water.

Context

Mid-October on Virginia reservoirs typically sits in the fall transition. Surface temperatures have dropped out of the summer range, baitfish push into creek arms and coves, and gamefish follow them shallow. This reading is right on schedule for the season. Smallmouth Bass in particular tend to feed heavily ahead of winter, and the cooling trend usually builds through late October and November. Check Virginia regulations for current seasons and limits before harvesting.