Fishing Smith Mountain Lake
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Captain Wendell Dudley offers expert guidance on Smith Mountain LakeTarget stripers weighing up to 50 pounds in Virginia watersAccommodates up to 6 guests on Pullin' Drag charter boat
When you're looking for the best striper fishing Virginia has to offer, Captain Wendell Dudley's Pullin' Drag Striper Fishing Charter on Smith Mountain Lake is where you want to be. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to learn from the most experienced captain on these waters and target some seriously big stripers that'll have you talking about this day for years to come. Captain Dudley knows every drop-off, point, and structure on this 20,000-acre lake like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put that knowledge to work for you.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Wendell at the marina, where his well-equipped boat is loaded and ready to go. This top-rated charter accommodates groups of up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for family trips or a day out with your fishing buddies. The captain handles all the gear, bait, and logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – hooking into those monster stripers. Smith Mountain Lake's clear waters and diverse structure create perfect habitat for striped bass, and Captain Dudley's decades of experience mean he knows exactly where to find them based on the season, weather, and water conditions. You'll spend your day moving between productive spots, learning the lake's secrets while working different depths and structures that hold fish.
Captain Wendell employs a variety of proven techniques depending on conditions and fish behavior. During warmer months, you'll often start by trolling umbrella rigs and large swimbaits along the main lake points and over submerged humps where stripers school up to feed. When fish are holding tight to structure, you'll switch to vertical jigging with heavy spoons and bucktails, working the deep channels and creek mouths where these fish ambush baitfish. Live bait fishing with large gizzard shad is another deadly technique, especially during the cooler months when stripers are feeding heavily before winter. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, and Captain Dudley uses quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with heavy braid to handle the lake's biggest fish. The boat is equipped with top-notch electronics including GPS, fishfinder, and downriggers when needed for precise depth control.
Striped bass are the undisputed kings of Smith Mountain Lake, and these fish grow to impressive sizes in Virginia's premier striper fishery. These powerful predators can reach weights of 40-50 pounds in these waters, with Captain Dudley himself landing fish in that trophy class. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action as stripers move shallow to feed, but summer trips can produce explosive topwater action early in the morning when schools of stripers trap baitfish on the surface. Winter fishing brings the chance at the biggest fish of the year, as mature stripers feed aggressively before the spawn. What makes catching stripers so addictive is their incredible fighting ability – they'll make long runs, dive deep, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook. The combination of size, strength, and the schooling nature of these fish means when you find them, you're often in for non-stop action that'll test your skills and leave your arms aching in the best possible way.
Captain Wendell's reputation as Smith Mountain Lake's most experienced guide isn't just talk – it's built on years of putting clients on fish and creating the kind of fishing memories that last a lifetime. His knowledge of seasonal patterns, fish behavior, and the lake's ever-changing conditions gives you the best shot at success, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The captain's patient teaching style means you'll not only catch fish but learn techniques and spots you can use on future trips. Smith Mountain Lake itself is a world-class fishery with excellent water quality, diverse structure, and a healthy population of stripers that provide consistent action throughout the year. The combination of Captain Dudley's expertise and the lake's incredible fishing potential creates a customer favorite experience that keeps anglers booking return trips season after season.
Don't let another fishing season pass without experiencing what Smith Mountain Lake's best striper fishing has to offer. Captain Wendell Dudley's Pullin' Drag Striper Fishing Charter gives you access to decades of local knowledge, top-quality equipment, and some of the biggest stripers swimming in Virginia waters. Whether you're looking to land your personal best, introduce someone to the sport, or just spend a day doing what you love most, this renowned charter delivers the goods. The calendar fills up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons, so secure your dates now and get ready for a day on the water that'll remind you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place. Book your trip today and join the ranks of satisfied anglers who've discovered why Captain Dudley's charter is the go-to choice for serious striper fishing on Smith Mountain Lake.
Captain Wendell's 23-foot Hurricane deck boat is your ticket to serious striper action on Smith Mountain Lake. This rig comes loaded with everything you need to land the big ones - a powerful 2016 Yamaha V-Max 225 that'll get you to the hot spots fast, plus a Lowrance HDS 12 touch screen fish finder that takes the guesswork out of locating schools. The boat's equipped with 7-foot Ugly Stik rods paired with Abu Garcia 6500 reels that can handle whatever Smith Mountain throws at you. When the Virginia sun gets intense, duck under the Bimini top and stay comfortable while you work the waters. GPS keeps you on track to the best fishing grounds, and with Captain Wendell's decades of experience reading these waters, you'll be targeting stripers in all the right places. This setup has proven itself time and again - Captain Dudley has pulled 50-pound stripers from these depths using this exact gear.
Richmond