James River
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James River Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
TheKurrent
Bronze Ambassador
3/23/25
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Hard Swimbaits
Structure
Shad
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
59°
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Standing Timber
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
72°
James river was a tough fishery, especially being as it was my first time fishing a tidal fishery. We struggle early on but found a good bite on a mud flat with flooded cypress trees around noon when the tide started moving in. I was able to see them on mega 360 sitting in front of the trees, as well as on megalive landscape mode. We also found a very good bedding area behind a dock. With a large boat rail and some gravel.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Spinnerbaits
Structure
Laydowns
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
67°
Fish were caught early in the day on outgoing tide in 1-3 ft water
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Swim Jigs
Structure
Rock Pile
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
64°
James river smallmouth club had our second tournament of the year and we were so fortunate to bring home 1st place with the second highest weight in club history . Everyone had a great day of fishing. We found fish at the top and bottom of the islands
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Ned Rigs
Structure
Reeds
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
71°
Found quite a few bedding fish in about 3 feet of water at low tide halfway back creek arms. Looked for submerged reeds and vegitation with cypress trees and clay flats or gravel that set up for the perfect area to make a bed. Using livescope in perspective mode, we made many casts along the lines of beds with a Hula Stick cut in half ned rigged. Got about 1 fish every half hour or so. Very long process but paid off in the end.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Structure Jigs
Structure
Docks
Forage
Crawfish
Cumberland pro lures pig jig with a rage craw on the back. Pitch around dock pilings and wood and wait.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Swim Jigs
Structure
Laydowns
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
70°
Fish were located along laydowns down the shoreline
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Bladed Jigs
Structure
Points
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
70°
Fish were located shallow caught several largemouths, stripers and a catfish
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Soft Swimbaits (Sm/Md)
Structure
Rock Pile
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
65°
We had 10 jet drive boats show up for our club tournament on the upper James river. All boats came in with a limit of smallmouth. Several boats reported catching 40 to 50 fish. We were able to bring home 2nd place trophy. We found the fish around islands and rocks getting ready to spawn. Our best bait was the X zone swimbait 3.5 in pearl and chartreuse. With 1/8 ounce smeltonator in camo Our best fish was 19 inches. And big fish for the tournament was 19.5 . Second best bait was the supper fluke with Vmc hook no wait. And a 16 inch fish on the jackhammer.
