Crappies and Bluegills on Smithville Lake

Type: Nontidal
Region: Eastern
Location: Smithville Lake, Caroline County

After a great outing on 03/21/2012, I decided a return trip to Smithville Lake (outside of Denton, Caroline County) would be in order. After launching my little Bass Buggy and employing my electric motor I started working the areas that were hot just a week earlier. Much to my dismay, I couldn't buy a fish. And there were very few strikes to be had. Just over 2 hours at it before my first fish (a 6" bluegill) came aboard. It wasn't swift after that and after 4 hours of fishing I had caught just 3 small gills. Not a crappie to be found anywhere. I changed baits, retrieves, etc., but nothing was working. I even headed up lake to it's creek of origin with just a couple more small gills and 2 small pike.

On the way back to the ramp I decided to put my rigs on the troll (this works on Crappie sometimes when other tactics don't). About 10 minutes or so after starting to troll I got a good strike and solid hook-up. The fight to the boat was a good one. When it ended, I boated a really nice 22" Pike (which was quickly released). After re-deploying my rig I hooked up with a solid 13" Crappie, followed by hallf a dozen more 10"-12" versions.

I worked some deadfalls and sunken trees and caught several more crappies. When finished, I had caught (roughly) 25 crappies, 30 bluegills and 3 pike. My theory about the slow start was a weather front. It seemed to stymie the bite, at least until the sun came out. When it did the fish turned on. I left them biting.