Lake Level: 915.00
Water Clarity: Generally Clear in the James River
Water Temp: 67 to 68 degrees
Bass
The Bass fishing has moved into the spring fishing patterns and Bass, all species are focusing on the spawn. They are currently in different waves on the spawn; spawning fish will move to shallow banks in coves and creeks, or in some cases, will spawn on ledge banks on a river creek channel. The various waves of spawning Bass will continue to occur until the spawn has been completed. This usually will take place, depending on the weather, for May and early June. When one group move from the beds another group will move in until they have finished natural movement.
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 addressed in this report. The anglers will have to make a determination where and when to deploy these patterns that we will discuss.
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 spawning areas. The first pattern and baits are the Ned Rigs baited with finesse baits and the best color has been PB&J or green pumpkin. The anglers are moving the bait slowly on the bottom. Some fish are being caught by reeling, keeping the bait in a mid-range depth and sometimes stopping the bait and allowing it to fall and then repeat that action until ending the retrieve.
Some fishermen are fishing for bass that are locked on the beds and are visible. Usually a white or bright colored bait is used to irritate the fish until they strike the bait. I personally do not bed fish, because it takes a lot more patience. Many fisherman do, and they have good results with this pattern.
Some nice pre-spawn bass have been caught throwing Wacky Rigs on flat points leading into spawning areas (about any natural color) of sinko type baits or 6 inch worm has been working.
Some Buzz Baits in white and other natural colors have caught some nice size bass when working the baits in and around spawning areas. Other top water baits like Zara Spooks in natural colors have caught fish. Whopper Ploppers have also caught some nice spawning fish in those same areas. Strike King baits, like the general, in green pumpkin and brown have caught a lot of fish on channel banks in creeks and spawning pockets of the main lake by dragging the bait on the bottom slowly.
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. The better fish seem to be caught a little closer to the structure in the area. Also better fish can be found where bass beds are present and seem to bite quickly when a bait is produced.
Crappie
The crappie spawn is close to being over and the fish are moving to cover in the 2 to 12 foot range. They are still pretty aggressive and will take a crappie jig and trailer (best trailer 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 in the 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 and catching some nice fish.
Walleye
Some Walleye have been caught while fishermen are fishing for bass in the upper James River. The fish are on the bottom or near the bottom, on flat channel banks or swing banks with shallow rocks. The fish have been smaller but occasionally a nice fish will appear. Also night crawlers floated near the bottom in these areas catching some fish.
Catfish
The catfish bite is picking and the better fish seem to be caught early morning or late evening with some being taken at night. The majority of the 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 three to fifteen feet of water. Fishing Cut Bait (small blue gill seem to be the best} while floating the bait over the points just off the bottom. Some fish are being taken by bottom fishing the flat points and the bluff ends that are the beginning of the flat. Those fish have been caught on chicken livers or gizzards or catfish bait processed for sale in tackle stores. If the fisherman will add some garlic scent to their bait, it seems to help the bite. Additionally, floating jugs across the described point areas have also been catching some nice fish.
White Bass
Some White bass have been caught in the Upper James where shad populations are visibly feeding. They have been caught on shallow crank baits (natural shad colors), Rat-L-Traps or similar type baits, also in natural Shad colors. The angler needs to watch for blow-ups in the shad schools or quick movements (that might indicate feeding activity). Then cast to those areas, most of the White Bass that are being caught are really nice size fish.
Cape Fair Marina is open for business between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm (Monday thru Thursday and 10:00 am 6:00 pm, Friday thru Sunday). Hideaway Marina Store has the exact same hours as Cape Fair. The pumps are open during store hours. 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.
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.
