Lake Level: 925.14
Water Clarity: Clearing, Upper James to Point 9
Water Temp: 83.0 degrees

Bass

The Bass Fishing in the James River has really began to improve, clearing water and somewhat constant water level has really helped fishing all over the lake. The heat and blue bird skies has made catching fish challenging, but some really nice fish are being caught.

 

The early morning and late evening bite has been pretty good when fishing flooded brush and timber where bait fish are active in main lake coves and lake points (also during overcast days). The best baits have been Ned rigs, worms, and jigs pitched to the brush. Baits that have been producing on this pattern are natural colored baits like Z-Mann finesse baits (PB&J and Green Pumpkin) and Sinko type baits in natural colors ( Brown and Green Pumpkin), Zinker Worms ( 5” PB&J and Goby colors), Jigs ( Black/Blue with Orange or Chartreuse strips). Some bass are taken early in the points of main lake coves with Zara Spooks or Prop type baits.

 

Strike King Crank Baits (a common pattern for this time of year), 5XD or 6XD, in shad colors are showing some nice fish when cranked on main lake points and bluff points in the 12 to 15 foot range. This bait has also netted some nice fish on bluff ledges on Channel Bends in 20 to 25 feet of water. Shakey Head worms, in natural colors, are also taking fish on the same channel ledges

 

Blue Gill

Blue Gill are everywhere, 4 to 10 feet deep, and still will bite live bait, if presented to them. They can be found around shallow docks or standing flooded timber, as the water is clearing somewhat. They can also be found on bluff banks with standing timber over 20 foot of water.

 

Crappie

The crappie are really hard to find and hard to catch any numbers. They are holding to brush piles on flats near main lake flats and will hit minnows when soaked on those brush piles. Some have been caught trolling in deeper main feeder creeks in 20 to 30 feet of water, with shad schools present. The best baits have been small minnow baits and crappie crank baits in white and silver colors.

 

Walleye

Walleye have been caught while fishing live night crawlers on a drop shot rig in 20 to 30 feet of water while fishing for bass. Some have been a really nice size. These fish have been coming on flats around standing timber with the rig fished on the bottom. The deep flats around Hideaway Area have produced some better fish. This pattern is also netting a lot of Kentucky Bass (some 2 to 3 pound class) and some nice Smallmouth Bass also.

 

Catfish

Catfish are becoming really active, they are being caught on bluff and gravel points (near channel bends and their adjacent points). This bite has been working in the upper James River to Point 15 and below to the Cape Fair Area. This best bait has been cut bait and some pre-made bait. Fisherman have been drifting the in the described areas with the bait suspended over structure. A lot of 5 &6 pound fish are being taken in those areas.

 

Another pattern has been spoon fishing near or under some of the larger boat docks (where permitted). The best colors seem to be white and silver; the bait is dropped to the bottom in 20 to 30 feet of water, raised about a foot of the bottom and fluttered up and down, slowly.

 

Cape Fair and Hideaway Marinas are fully opened for business, for operation hours please contact the information telephone number at either marina.

 

Note to friends: Thanks for your patronage and please wear a life jacket, at all times. Also be careful there is still a lot of floating debris in the water. This report has been prepared by Don Cooksey for Cape Fair and Hideaway Marinas. Have a Blessed and Safe day on the water.