Lake Level: 916.00
Water Clarity: Mostly Clear, Upper James to Point 9
Water Temp: 59 to 62 degrees
Bass
Bass fishing in the James River has started producing some really nice size fish. In fact, a friend (who is a professional guide on Table Rock Lake) Glenn Rosser reported that he had some good limits on his recent trips. His fish were caught between three and eighteen feet of water, in the two to four pound class.
There are a few different patterns currently working in the river. One is an early pattern, sometimes during the early morning fog in shallow water, 2 to 5 feet on flats and secondary points in creeks and larger coves where shad are active. These fish are being caught on shallow crank baits Strike King Square Bill, KVD 1.5 or 2.5 in natural shad colors, depending on the size of the shad, anglers need to match their bait to the size that are present. Spro Square Bill (Little John) in natural shad color is also producing some nice fish.
Another pattern that is catching some nice bass is fishing the secondary points in feeder creeks and channel swings using a shakey head jig baited with a 4” or 5” Z-Mann TRD or a Zinker in Goby or Green Pumpkin. Some are being caught on the General, by Strike King in the same colors.
There is also a deeper pattern, using a drop shot baited with live night crawlers. These fish are located in clear water down in the Hideaway Marina Area and below. They are found in about 14 to 18 feet of water on flat points and flats that are attached to those points.
Blue Gill (no change)
Blue Gill are still everywhere, 2 to 15 feet deep, and still will bite live bait, if presented to them. They can be found around deeper docks or standing flooded timber, lay down logs on bluff banks near rock cover. A lot of really good sized Blue Gill have been caught on some of the shallow boat docks throughout the river system.
Crappie (no change)
The crappie are still really hard to find and hard to catch any numbers. They are holding near main lake flats and will sometimes hit minnows in those brush piles in those areas. Some of the small Crappie Crank Baits have been effective when trolling them around Shad schools in the larger creek arms. Natural shad colors seem to be most effective.
Walleye (no change)
Some Walleye have been caught while fishing live night crawlers on a drop shot rig in 10 to 20 feet of water while fishing for bass. These fish are few and far between and are usually not of keeper size, but a good fish will bite occasionally. A lot of nice Bluegill have also been caught while fishing main lake flats in the Hideaway Marina Area of the James River.
Catfish (no change)
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 from Point 15 and below to the Cape Fair Area. This best bait has been cut bait and some pre-made bait fished on Jugs. Fisherman have been drifting the jugs in the described areas with the bait suspended over structure. A lot of 5 &6 pound fish are being taken in those areas. Bluff Banks are also working with this pattern and stationary trot lines fished down to the area of the first ledge (10 to 20 feet deep) are catching some good Channel Catfish).
The Spoon Pattern is also catching some nice fish 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 and fluttered up and down.
Cape Fair and Hideaway Marinas are open for gas, for hours of operation please check the information telephone line at either marina.
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.
