Lake Level:  916.38

Water Clarity: stained to clear, Point 15 to Point 9

Water Temp:  80 to 86 degrees

 

Bass

The extreme heat and high sky’s have slowed bass fishing during the daytime. Some smaller bass are being taken on stick worms (best baits have been Berkley Power Bait Max, the general and the larger size flat worm, the Zman Zinker  and the Stiko). The best colors have been green pumpkin, goby, and brown. These worms have been rigged Texas style and fished slowly along bluff channel banks on the main lake and larger creek channel banks. The best bluff banks seem to be those with ledges. The average depth is between 10 to 20 feet.  The fish being caught have been both large mouth and spotted bass, occasionally a four or five pound bass has showed up, but mainly smaller fish, with nice limits of Kentucky Bass have been taken.

Another pattern producing a lot of fish is the Ned Rigg baited with (Yum Ned Dinger, Zman Finesse TRD and Zoom Micro Speed Craw). The best colors have been green pumpkin, brown, and some black. These baits are being fished slowly, in the same locations as above mentioned, along the bottom and on ledges being dropped over the edge of the ledge and allowed to fall to the next ledge or the channel bottom.

Anglers are also using soft plastic baits on the drop shot, natural shad colors seem to be the best choice, on points in 15 to 25 feet of water where shad schools have been located on electronics. The better points, are on deeper banks joining bluff areas with some standing timber. The drop shot rigged with live nightcrawlers is also working in this same type of areas.

There has been an active night fishing Bass bite. The fish move a little shallower and are also located in the same areas as daytime fishing, with more points being active early in the evening. The fish have been hitting numerous different baits. Seven inch worms, purple, black grape, and some red, and black are working.  If an angler finds the right bank, some nice size fish are being caught.

 

Blue Gill

Blue Gill almost everywhere, they are between 4 and 10 feet of water. The fish are being taken near boat docks, on standing timber or lay down brush, in the same depths. The best bait is still live bait (night crawlers or small minnows, or crappie jigs with a small white or chartreuse trailer). There have also been nice size Blue Gill taken by drop shot fisherman while they are fishing deeper for Bass.

Crappie

The crappie will sometimes take a crappie jig with a live minnow trailer. Some fish are located near standing timber on main lake channel banks in about 12 to 15 feet of water. There have been reports of some crappie being caught while trolling those channel banks, with a crappie crank bait (natural colors) during the early mornings or late evenings.

Walleye (No Change)

The Walleye have moved to their summer pattern.  The majority of fish are being caught on extended points (main lake) toward the clearer or deeper parts of the James River. The fish are being caught on a drop shot rig with a live night crawler. The fish have been small and seem to be near shad schools.  There have been some walleye (not many) caught in areas where Kentucky Bass schools are feeding on a Shad.

Catfish (No Change}

The catfish bite is good with the better fish caught early morning or late evening with some being taken at night. The majority of fish are being caught on and around flat points on the main lake or secondary points in the creek arms. The fish are on the bottom in 10 to18 feet of water. Fishing Cut Bait (small blue gill seem to be the best} while floating across points the points, with Jugs or floats, with the bait being set about 2ft above the bottom is taking some nice fish.

The spoon bite is also working under the deeper boat docks. The best color of spoons has been white, silver, gold and chartreuse and white. When fishing this spoon for catfish the fisherman can flip spoons around the edges of the docks or fish from the dock proper. The spoon should be dropped to the bottom, raised up about a foot and slightly moved up and down slowly. The fisherman will not usually feel a jerk but the bait will begin to move, then jerk.

White Bass (No Change)

Some White bass have been caught in creeks (usually the longer active creeks), in the late afternoon or evening, directly in the middle of the creek or long cove. These fish are being caught under schooling Shad Balls that are visible on the top. The fish are hitting crank baits (natural shad colors) that are being trolled under these active Shad. Another method is throwing Road Runners (with twister type tails-Chartreuse or White) or small spinner baits toward the bank.  Where shad activity is observed.

 

Special Note to Fishermen:  There is no fishing around or from any commercial docks; if fishing around docks please be courteous and safe while doing so.   

Cape Fair Marina is open for business between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm Seven Days a week, the pumps are also open during store hours. Hideaway Marina Store and Gasoline Pumps are open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. For any additional information at either facility please contact the telephone information number at the respective marinas.

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 Day and a Safe Day on the water.