Squidhound Fishing Charters offers fully guided Smith Mountain Lake striped bass fishing charters out of Hardy, Virginia, led by Captain Matt Hinman, one of the region’s most accomplished striper guides. As captain of team Squidhound during the Striper Mafia tournament series, Captain Matt has won three Team of the Year awards, multiple big fish titles, and swept all four tournaments in the 2019 series, bringing serious tournament-level expertise to every charter.
Trips run aboard the 218 Northwest Lightning, a fully enclosed and heated boat that keeps guests comfortable whether it’s below freezing, pouring rain, or perfect sunshine. The boat is outfitted with the newest Humminbird and Lowrance electronics, including Lowrance radar for foggy mornings, along with Seigler and Daiwa reels, allowing charters to run on Smith Mountain Lake 365 days a year.
Striped bass patterns shift with the seasons: spring (March-May) brings fish shallow chasing big gizzard shad as they prepare to spawn, with reliable action on main lake points and up creeks; summer (June-August) sees post-spawn feeding followed by fish schooling on the lower half of the lake, with mornings often producing doubles and triples; fall (September-November) pushes fish back up the river arms, with October and November surface-busting striper offering some of the year’s most exciting fishing; and winter (December-February) shifts to jigging deeper water once temperatures drop into the mid-40s.
Half-day (4-hour) trips run $450 for 1-2 people up to $550 for 6, three-quarter day (6-hour) trips run $625 to $725, and full-day (8-hour) trips run $800 to $900, all priced as a total group rate. Every charter includes gas, tackle, and live bait, and larger corporate or family gatherings beyond 6 people can be accommodated with advance notice, with a second boat priced the same as the first. Anglers 16 and older need a valid fishing license, and guests should bring drinks, snacks, warm clothing, and sunscreen; a couple of children’s life jackets are on board but bringing your own is recommended for comfort.
For anglers looking to target trophy striped bass on Smith Mountain Lake, Squidhound Fishing Charters offers a tournament-proven, fully heated and enclosed charter experience with Captain Matt Hinman, available year-round.
