Smith mountain lake... and boating in va in general

[JoshKeller]

Heading down to SML In May for the first time in over 20 years. Anything boating wise I need in the boat aside from fire extinguisher, life jackets, throwable, whistle? Any other va boating laws that may be different?

[Bob282]

Towable must be in reach, not in box and fire extinguisher can not be out of manufacturing date of expiration, not past 12 year of manufacture date.

[Squire]

^^^^ this will be checked. Throwable, if more than one is in boat, must be on the deck. This was an explicit change last year. They do check the fire extinguisher carefully, license, boat registration, etc. If you launch out of the State Park when they are doing enforcement, and you are fishing alone, they will check your cooler to see if you have alcohol and make you pour it out (buddy experienced that) before you launch. Trailers in the parking lot will be checked for valid plates and inspection stickers (if enforcement is active that day). https://dwr.virginia.gov/boating/boa...red-equipment/

[JoshKeller]

^^^^ this will be checked. Throwable, if more than one is in boat, must be on the deck. This was an explicit change last year. They do check the fire extinguisher carefully, license, boat registration, etc. If you launch out of the State Park when they are doing enforcement, and you are fishing alone, they will check your cooler to see if you have alcohol and make you pour it out (buddy experienced that) before you launch. Trailers in the parking lot will be checked for valid plates and inspection stickers (if enforcement is active that day). https://dwr.virginia.gov/boating/boa...red-equipment/

We will be staying and launching from Westlake waterfront inn if that changes anything. Wv doesn't require trailer inspections so I don't think that will apply

[JoshKeller]

anyone got a general fishing report for the lake? getting close!

[Squire]

anyone got a general fishing report for the lake? getting close!

(2) Smith Mountain Bass Fishing | Facebook

[JoshKeller]

last question i think - any good must check out tackle shops in the area?

[Coastal Mountaineer]

IMO, SML Tackle Shack is hands down the best tackle store in the area. They have everything you need to catch anything that swims in Smith Mountain. Ask for Keith and tell him what you're interested in catching.

https://www.smltackleshack.com/ is about 10 minutes from Westlake Waterfront Inn.

[PsuHntr]

^^^Tackle Shak is freaking sweet

fish have been pulling up on beds you should be hitting it at a good time

[bassdge]

Sight fished beds and scoped off the banks on stumps for bedding the past 2 days

[herndonpro]

You have to have passed a boater safety course to operate in Virginia.

[Lightning 6]

Virginia requires livewell & bilge plugs be pulled once on trailer & aquatic vegetation must be cleaned from boat & trailer.

[bassdge]

Fish have been spawning past few weeks and likely to see another push next week with full moon getting closer

[tcesni]

Lots of fry on the lake.