Lake Level:  919.56

Water Clarity:  Mostly Clear, to Clear, Upper James to Point 9

Water Temp:  64 to 66 Degrees

 

Bass

The Bass Fishing has improved with the warmer water temperatures and bass are in the first stages of the spawn. A lot of males are making beds and trying to attract the larger females to come in and spawn. Before our last rains and the water raise, a lot of smaller males in the one or two pound range were being taken in the back end of creeks and main lake spawning coves. The water clarity was improving and the water was warming. The fish were in 2 to 5 feet of water and were hitting Ned Rigs, rigged with Z-Man Finess TRD and the four inch TRD (the preferred colors were PB&J and Green Pumpkin Goby).

 

Some nice females in the 3 and 4 pound class were taken on points of spawning coves and secondary points in creeks leading into spawning coves. These larger fish were hitting wacky rigs, baited with Sinkos of similar baits in natural colors.

 

With these rains in the last few days, and the stained water, and the raising water some fish have been caught in the flooded brush with natural colored jigs and natural colored trailers.

 

In the much clearer water from Hideaway Marina to Point Nine Area fish are still moving shallow (Spawn Stage) and the same baits are working in those areas with the addition of top water baits (worked Slowly near cover or docks) and jerk baits of varying natural colors in four to eight feet of water.

 

Blue Gill

Blue Gill have actually moved shallower (4 to 6 feet deep). The best fish are still being caught in and around any boat docks or on standing timber near spawning gravel flats. Night crawlers and small jigs with minnow type trailers, some tipped with blue gill bites. If you are in the right area the fish will let you know.

 

Crappie

The crappie are really getting close to the spawn also, and are on the move to shallow flats. The best baits are soaking minnows around shallow brush piles or shallow standing timber. The crappie are being caught in the six to eight foot range, some on crappie jigs with nibbles also.

 

Walleye (No information)

 

Catfish

A few smaller catfish have been caught in the upper James River where flats meet the river channel points and on gravel flat points. They are on the bottom and have been taken by using cut bait. They are in 8 to 15 feet of water near fallen timber and rocks if present.

 

Cape Fair marina is open, for hours and times please call the dock or the recorded voice message.

 

Note to Friends:  Thanks for your patronage and please wear a life jacket, at all times. This report has been prepared by Don Cooksey for Cape Fair and Hideaway Marinas. Have a Blessed and Safe Day on the water.