Spike’s Prime Time Fishin’ offers striped bass fishing charters and waterfront vacation rentals on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, led by Captains Spike and Kathy Franceschini, full-time resident guides since 1988 and U.S. Coast Guard licensed. Captain Spike holds a piece of Virginia fishing history: he caught the 1988 Virginia State Record striped bass, a 42 lb., 6 oz. fish landed alongside Joe Harris on May 3, 1988.
The fleet consists of two fully equipped 22-foot deck boats accommodating up to 6 anglers each, using both live bait and artificial lure techniques. Trips are fully customized to each group’s angling experience, whether that means entertaining business guests, teaching the latest fishing patterns and techniques, or simply a relaxed day on the water for beginners through seasoned anglers. Every trip includes the captain, boat, live bait, rods, reels, tackle, gas, and oil, along with photos of the day’s catch and fish cleaned and packaged at no extra charge.
Striper patterns shift with the seasons: spring (early-late April) offers the best chance at a trophy fish through artificial casting; the spawn (late April-May) brings massive schools and morning “breaking” fish on live bait; post-spawn (June) continues strong live bait action on aggressive fish; summer (July-September) is best for vertical jigging schooled stripers, especially on half-day morning trips; and fall (October-early December) delivers some of the most consistent fishing of the year, mixing live bait and topwater action on breaking fish. A slot limit runs November 1 through May 31, requiring release of fish 30-40 inches to help the population grow bigger fish faster.
Half-day (4-5 hour) charter rates run $400 for 2 people up to $500 for 6 people. Guests staying at Spike & Kathy’s waterfront vacation rentals depart directly from the private docks; others are picked up at Captain’s Quarters on Route 122 (16525 Booker T. Washington Highway, Moneta, VA), with departure time confirmed by phone a couple of days ahead. Gift certificates are available for any occasion.
For anglers looking to fish striped bass on Smith Mountain Lake with a state-record-holding, multi-decade guide team, Spike’s Prime Time Fishin’ offers a highly experienced charter operation with optional waterfront vacation lodging included.
