James River
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James River Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from James River . Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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- Species
Largemouth BassTechniqueSwim JigsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructurePointsFish were located at the points just on outside of the grass edge
- Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureBouldersWith water levels coming down and still slightly stained, the full moon and warming temperatures. The smallmouth fishing was outstanding. The supper fluke was the bait for early morning bite, we found that the 1/2 ounce jackhammer with a junebug fluke in the current was the hot bait for bigger fish. We also caught nice fish on the X zone 3.5 swammer pearl and chartreuse. With smeltonator camo head.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSpinnerbaitsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureRock Pile
We drove west through the heavy rain. And found perfect water conditions. The river was rising all morning but stayed fish able until early afternoon. The fish were hungry. The new hog farmer minnesota micro rig with a northland gussy jig head 1/8 ounce and a x zone 3.5 swamer. Caught my biggest smallmouth this year.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueWacky RigsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureLaydowns
Look for 🌳 with hard bottoms. The best ones I found where in back of creeks. The ones on points where better. Fish out going tides and low and in coming. Tides are everything. Fish slow. I was using a t rig with 5 inch stick bait.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueTexas Rigs (Worming)SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureLaydowns
The better fish were caught flipping Z Craw Jr into laydowns. For numbers they were hitting weightless T-rig Senkos. Also around the grass was where the top water bite was.
Omnia Community MemberStandard AmbassadorSpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueSwim JigsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureSubmerged Vegetation- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureReeds
Fish were caught on outgoing tide on the outer edges of Arrowheads with stumps or other wood close by.
TheKurrentBronze Ambassador
SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueSwim JigsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureShadFished a memorial day tournament out of Osborne Landing and practiced for a few hours the day before. Bite wasn't lights out, but when you did get a bite, it was a decent fish. While practicing, I caught them on laydowns, docks, points with hard spots and in the backs of pockets. Fish came on the Bucca Brand Trick Shad, swimjig and jackhammer—somewhat junk fishing, but I knew they wanted moving baits. Nigh before the tournament, air temps dropped and on the morning of, the water temp dropped 3-4 degrees. I expected a morning buzzbait bite with the rain and gloomy weather, but to my surprise, no takers. Went back to the glidebait and this time, picked up the Raid Osakana Slide and quickly rounded up two solid fish for the bag: a 3 1/2 & 2 1/2 pounder. Bite slowed for a while and then all the sudden, it was like a light switch—was casting around with a swimjig and BOOM, an easily 7 pounder eats, I set the hook poorly, she runs right at me, jumps and spits the jig... The next 15 minutes was rough mentally, but I kept casting the swimjig in the same area and filled out my limit with a couple 2 quality fish and a squeaker. After getting that big bite and the many that came after, I decided to stick out the hour left in the derb in this area, but to no luck. One rat in the bag and total weight ended up at 12.43. Unfortunate to have the kicker come unbuttoned, but a fun day of learning. Even caught one with a tag in it from the VDWR and the fish was SUPER healthy!
