Crappie

If you're after some tasty Crappie, Rocky Mount, Virginia, has you covered. Smith Mountain Lake is a prime location, holding a healthy population of both black and white crappie. These fish tend to congregate around submerged structure, such as brush piles, docks, and standing timber. Spring is the peak season, as crappie move into the shallows to spawn. Small jigs and minnows fished under a bobber are highly effective. Another option is Philpott Lake which also has good crappie fishing. A local's tip: many anglers have success locating brush piles that have been intentionally sunk to attract crappie. These locations are often marked on lake maps or can be found using sonar. The crappie in Smith Mountain Lake are known for their good size, with many fish reaching well over a pound. Focus your efforts around the many coves and creek arms of the lake for the best results.