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 BassTechniqueSpinnerbaitsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureLaydownsFish were located in 4-6 ft of water still in pre-spawn with fish starting to move up.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructurePoints
Fish were located shallow caught several largemouths, stripers and a catfish
- Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureRock PileWe had 10 jet drive boats show up for our club tournament on the upper James river. All boats came in with a limit of smallmouth. Several boats reported catching 40 to 50 fish. We were able to bring home 2nd place trophy. We found the fish around islands and rocks getting ready to spawn. Our best bait was the X zone swimbait 3.5 in pearl and chartreuse. With 1/8 ounce smeltonator in camo Our best fish was 19 inches. And big fish for the tournament was 19.5 . Second best bait was the supper fluke with Vmc hook no wait. And a 16 inch fish on the jackhammer.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueShallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLaydowns
Fish were set up shallow on laydowns feeding on crawfish
TheKurrentBronze AmbassadorSpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueHard Body SwimbaitsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureShadInsane day fishing the Bucca Brand Trick Shad. Didn't catch a ton of fish, but when they did bite, it was a good fish every time. My bag consisted of a 6-12, 4-03, 3-15, 3-07 and 2-08 for 21 all on the Trick Shad—my biggest bag on the James. I wouldn't technically call out a specific pattern: they were caught on laydowns, docks and roaming, not one specifically.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueTexas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)SeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureStanding Timber
James river was a tough fishery, especially being as it was my first time fishing a tidal fishery. We struggle early on but found a good bite on a mud flat with flooded cypress trees around noon when the tide started moving in. I was able to see them on mega 360 sitting in front of the trees, as well as on megalive landscape mode. We also found a very good bedding area behind a dock. With a large boat rail and some gravel.
Meagan DugganBronze AmbassadorSpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueSpinnerbaitsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLaydowns- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureBoulders
The river was a little high 4.8 feet at bent creek va. And a little stained we found fish in slower moving water. Overall fishing was good. With a slow presentation. It was our first club tournament of the year we managed a fist place trophy.
