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 BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSummerStructureSubmerged VegetationFish were located in less than 2 ft of water. Caught with the Baby Jack and on Frogs.
- 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!
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueTexas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)SeasonSummerStructureLaydowns
Caught fish around laydowns in 5 ft of water
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueNeko RigsSeasonSummerStructureSubmerged Vegetation
Stop number 5 of the MLF Pro Circuit was on the James River where I finished up in 11th place. I was leading the event after the first two days catching 21lbs 3 ounces which was anchored by a 6lb 6oz kicker and backed it up day 2 with 15lbs 2ounces. I was targeting an area that had a lot of current flowing through it as the tide would go out. The key was waiting for the tide to get low so the fish would position in the ditch and current seams to make them the easiest to catch. The major feeding of these fish would occur during the last two hours of outgoing and first hour of incoming before they would head back out on the coontail flats to chase bait with the higher tide. I was using a Z-Man BangstickZ with a 1/20oz Neko Shroomz weight and hooking it right in the middle with a 2/0 Hayabusa FPP Straight hook. This was on a Favorite 721 Hex Spinning Rod with a Favorite Rush 2500 Spinning reel filled up with 15lb Seaguar Smackdown and a 10lb Gold Label leader.
- Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSummerStructureLaydownsThe swim bait was best early and mid day then the buzz bait worked in the shaded banks with any cover. We came home with 1st place trophy. James River Smallmouth Club.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueTexas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)SeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureDocks
Flip and pitch for spawning Fish around docks and cypress trees in about 2-5 ft of water
Omnia Community MemberBronze AmbassadorSpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueWacky RigsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureStumpsWacky Rigging 5" Watermelon Red Flake Senko's rigged with VMC Crossover Rings, 7mm, Green Pumpkin, VMC Weedless Neko Hook, 1/0 and 10 lb test Trilene XL on a spinning setup. Fishing cypress knees in 2-5 feet of water at low tide, and beginning of incoming tide.
