Lake Level:  913.21

Water Clarity:  Mostly Clear, Upper James to Point 9

Water Temp: 56-62 degrees on the surface

 

Bass

The Bass fishing has moved into the spring fishing patterns. The Bass, all species, are headed to the shallow water to spawn. There are numerous waves of these spawning bass that will move in initially, but not all fish spawn at the same time. The various waves of spawning Bass will continue to occur until the spawn has been completed. This usually will take place for the next couple of months. The fish will be located in various movements, when one group move from the beds another group will move in.

There are numerous different patterns and locations to catch Bass now and it is almost impossible to give exact locations and areas. But general patterns will be focused on in this report; the anglers will have to make a determination where and when to deploy these patterns.

The average depth of the fish that are being caught in the James River currently is between 2 to 10 feet of water in and around where the Bass are currently fanning (by males) making beds. The first pattern and baits are the Ned Rigs baited with finesse baits and the best color has been PB&J. The anglers are dragging the bait slowly on the bottom. There have also been some fish being caught by quickly reeling, keeping the bait in a mid-range depth, the A-Rig with shad colored lures. Some top water baits are also catching fish, early in the morning, Spooks (clear or shad colored), worked slowly from the bank back to the boat. The Buzz Bait (shad colors) and Whopper Plopper type baits, also in shad color, are catching fish. Another pattern that has been boating Bass is the Shakey-Head, rigged with a worm (PB&J, brown, and green pumpkin) dragged slowly around shallow flats or spawning coves.

Blue Gill

Blue Gill have also moved shallower, between 2 and 10 feet of water. The fish are being taken near boat docks. Or on standing timber or lay down brush, in the same depths.

The best bait is still live bait (night crawlers or small minnows).  The Blue Gill seem to be a little more active on sunny days, with wind blowing on the fishing area.

Crappie

The crappie have started to bite, really good. Fish are being taken on flats off of the main river channel. They seem to be roving on those flats following bait schools. The best bait has been crappie jigs with small twister type tails in white or chartreuse colors and some natural shad colors. Some anglers have been placing a minnow nose hooked behind the jig. The better fish are being caught all over James River Area. The fish are in shallow 2 to 10 feet of water and are active on the flats, as reported above. There are some fishermen that have been trolling those shallow main lake flats and some flats in the larger creek arms also, while using small crappie crank baits, in shad and chrome colors.

Walleye (no change)

Some Walleye have been caught while fishermen are fishing for bass, (usually Kentucky Bass) on points. These fish are few and far between and are usually smaller in size and caught on a drop shot rig in 15 to 25 feet of water on live bait (night crawlers).

Catfish

The catfish bite is picking up. The majority of the fish are being caught in and around the deeper boat docks. The Spoon Pattern or live bait is the best. The fish are on the bottom; fisherman need to drop the spoon to the bottom and raise it slowly, a foot or so off the bottom and let it fall. The fish are also taking live bait and cut bait floated across shallow flat points, and some deeper points near channel swing transitions to bluffs. The average depths has been 5 to 20 feet.

Spoon Bill

After speaking with guides on the lake and seeing the fish that are being brought in; the fishing is really great up the James and White River arms of the Lake. The fish are being taken by fishermen with a lot of limits being caught daily. Looks like a good season, I hope we get a new state record.

 

Cape Fair Marina is open for business between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. (seven days a week). Hideaway Marina Store is closed until May of 2026. The pumps are open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, except for Sunday. Please call the information line with any questions.

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.