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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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
- Species
Largemouth Bass
TechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSummerStructureSubmerged VegetationFish were located in less than 2 ft of water. Caught with the Baby Jack and on Frogs.
- TheKurrentBronze AmbassadorSpecies
Largemouth Bass
TechniqueSwim 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!
- Species
Largemouth Bass
TechniqueBladed JigsSeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureReedsFish were caught on outgoing tide on the outer edges of Arrowheads with stumps or other wood close by.
- Chris FioreBronze AmbassadorSpecies
Largemouth Bass
TechniqueFrogs/ToadsSeasonSummerStructureLily PadsFish are in the pads chasing bluegill along the pad fields. Catching fish on a spro-popping frog and caffeine shad white.
- Chris FioreBronze AmbassadorSpecies
Largemouth Bass
TechniqueShakey HeadsSeasonSummerStructureRiver Channelscranking channel swings and creek mouths are producing some good bass.
- ChewyBronze AmbassadorSpecies
Largemouth Bass
TechniqueHard Topwater (Prop)SeasonSummerStructureBrush PilesIt was sprinkling early afternoon. Tried a few texas jigs and got some nibbles by some down trees. Moved to a whopper plopper and about the second cast caught a small largemouth bass near the James River State Park canoe landing.
- Species
Largemouth Bass
TechniqueDrop ShotSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureSubmerged VegetationFirst tie fishing out of my home state of Minnesota, for my first bass master open. Found a pocket off the main river and they were loaded in a small hole. Drop shot did all my damage.
- Species
Largemouth Bass
TechniqueTexas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)SeasonSummerStructureLaydownsCaught fish around laydowns in 5 ft of water