Lake Level:  908.02

Water Clarity:  Mostly Clear, Upper James to Point 9

Water Temp:  42 degrees on the surface

This second report during the month of March is greatly due to the quickly changing.  Fishing conditions we have experienced during this month.

 

Bass

Bass fishing has quickly changed and really began to pick-up. The changing temperatures and raising water have contributed to this change and has altered fishing locations and patterns of numerous local fish. One pattern that is producing fish is the crank bait bite. This bite has been producing a lot of Bass from 2 to 12 feet of water. This bite is better when a little wind is blowing on the bank. It doesn’t seem to matter if the sun is out or it’s overcast. The best baits have been a Strike King 5XD or 6XD in brown and red crawdad colors (the belly color doesn’t seem to matter). The Spro Rock Crawler in brown and red crawdad colors (with orange or red belly). The old Table Rock spring standard Wiggle Wart in brown, red, and combinations of those colors have also been taking fish. Most of these fish are on flats that have bait fish present or on ledge bluffs when fished parallel in the same water depths.

Although the A-Rig is still catching fish, it is not the preferred bait to fish. The Rig still needs to be baited with 3” or 3 ½ ” boot tail baits (natural colors and pro blue colors have been the best). Sometimes you can achieve the same results by using an individual boot tail swim bait, slow rolled in the same above described locations.

Blue Gill

Blue Gill have moved shallower again, between 4 and 10 feet of water. The better fish are still being taken on the deeper boat docks under and on the sides of those docks. Or on standing timber, in the same depths; near the timber where shad or other bait fish or located. The best bait is still live bait (night crawlers or small minnows if they can be located in the area). The best Blue Gill bite is still better on sunny days, with wind blowing on the fishing area. They can be found about anywhere there is a lay-down or standing timber (flats or bluffs).

Crappie

The crappie have begun to bite. The fish are being taken frequently in the upper James River area (from Cape Fair to Point 15 and beyond). The best baits have been crappie jigs, with small twister type tails in white or chartreuse colors. Some anglers have been using minnows and casting to any piece of cover they find. Obviously not every piece of cover, but it doesn’t seem to matter, if it is on a flat or a channel bank in the river. The crappie or active and will bite a bait that is presented to them.

White Bass

The White Bass also have started biting in the upper James River in the area before McCord Bend and after until the river shallows out. These fish have been hitting Small- In- Line Spinner baits (white and combos of white and chartreuse). Smaller crank baits and some crappie crank baits (also in natural colors or silver sides). Also 3” boot tailed baits fished on a jig head with an under spin (colors have been white and some chartreuse marked on the tail).

Spoonbill

Since the opening of Paddlefish Snagging Season on March 15 (the season is between March 15 and April 30) numerous nice fish have been brought to the scales. No State Records yet, but this year is already setting up to be a great one. There a lot of Spoonbill being tracked on electronics in the upper James River, from Cape Fair to Point 15 and beyond. The White River is also active with nice fish being snagged in the Shell Knob Area.

Walleye

There are not many Walleye being taken by our area fisherman. Those that are being caught, are small and not keepers, by fishermen that are using drop shot rigs to catch schooling Kentucky Bass in and around Shad schools that moving around flat points at the mouth of active creeks. Those fish are being taken in 10 to 15 feet of water. They are also catching bass in some of the larger creeks by targeting Shad schools moving in the middle of these creeks and using the drop shot under and around these schools. The average depth for this bite has been 15 to 20 feet.

Catfish

The catfish bite is slow. The majority of the fish are being caught under and around the deeper boat docks. The Spoon Pattern is the best choice, while fishing white or cold slaw colored spoons off of the bottom. The fish are really hugging the bottom, the fisherman needs to drop the spoon to the bottom and raise it slowly, a foot or so off the bottom and let it fall. You probably will not feel the bite; the bait will just get heavy and move slowly away. Some fishermen are catching fish while using prepared bait or cut bait and drifting the bait across deeper points near the main lake channel or bluff points near the main channel.

 

Cape Fair Marina Store and Gasoline Pump hours of operation are 10:00 am to 4: 00 pm, seven days a week. Hideaway Marina is closed until May and their Gasoline Pumps are open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Please check the telephone information lines, at either facility, for additional information.

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 a Safe Day on the water. If I can provide any additional information, please let the office know and they will get in touch with me.