RICHMOND — Blue crabs, those tasty symbols of the salty Chesapeake Bay, are showing up in the freshwater of the James River in downtown Richmond. A lot of people don’t realize it – or they heard the story for years and didn’t believe it – but crabs often migrate here in summer when the river gets low.
What fish are biting on the James River Pier?
Pier Anglers catch croaker, spot, flounder, trout and striped bass.
How much does it cost to fish on the James River Pier?
The James River Pier, located at the foot of the James River Bridge, is now open summer hours – 8am – 11pm (Mondays and Tuesdays) and 24 hours beginning 8am Wednesdays through 11pm Sundays). The cost is $9 for adults and $7 for seniors and children 6-12.
What fish are running in the James River?
The Non-Tidal James River offers fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass, muskellunge (muskie), redbreast sunfish, rock bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and flathead catfish.
What are they catching at Buckroe pier?
This is a very popular site and provides nice catches of croaker, spot, flounder, striped bass, drum, eel, and seatrout.
What time is best to fish pier?
Generally speaking, the best time to fish from a pier is either early morning or sundown. This is when moving tides attract a lot of baitfish to the area, which in turn, brings out the big and hungry of the fish world, too.
What’s the best bait to use in the James River?
Although frozen bait can be used, fresh-caught gizzard shad or eels are generally best. During summer most large blue cats are caught at night, other times of the year they are caught anytime – day or night.
Do you need a fishing license to fish off a pier in VA?
A Virginia Saltwater Fishing License is not required for pier fishing, but is for fishing on the beach.
Is the James River fresh or saltwater?
The bay is an estuary, an area where fresh water flowing from land meets salt water from the sea. Scientists consider the bay to consist of its main part near the coast as well as its tidal tributaries, so that would include the James up to Richmond. The James’ water remains fresh until just below Hopewell.
How long is James River Fishing Pier?
About James River Bridge Fishing Pier At 6/10 of a mile, this is one of the longest fishing piers on the East Coast. Open from April through November. Croaker and spot are caught year-round, while striped bass, flounder, grey trout and red drum are caught seasonally.
Has there ever been a shark in the James River?
(WTVR)—Two bull sharks were caught in the Potomac River, and it wouldn’t be the first time a shark was caught in a Virginia river. He is a fixture along the banks of the James River, and “Catfish TC”, as he is known, is quite content on solid ground, thank you very much.
What is the biggest fish in the James River?
The biggest Channel Catfish caught measured 31 inches long and weighed just over 13.5 pounds, while the biggest Flathead Catfish measured 44.5 inches and weighed 47.8 pounds. The length-frequency histograms show the number of each species collected by inch group (Figure 1).
What is the deepest part of the James River?
Coast Pilot excerpts are not being corrected. James River. Drafts of vessels above Newport News do not exceed 15 feet. The James River provides depths of 25 feet to the Richmond Deepwater Terminal and in the Terminal Turning Basin; 18 feet to and in the Richmond Harbor Turning Basin; 18 feet to the Lock at Richmond.
What fish are biting in Hampton Roads?
These include spot, croaker, flounder, gray trout, speckled trout, bluefish, stripers, and (puppy) red drum. Other species may be found there, but these are the most consistent. Speckled trout like this fine specimen are often the target at the HRBT.
What are they catching at VA Beach pier?
They catch all kinds of fish at the pier including kingfish, spot, croakers, Spanish mackerel, blue fish, sharks and red drum. And no need to worry about a fishing license because you won’t need one.
What bait is best for pier fishing?
Bait: Popular types of pier fishing bait include bloodworms, shrimp, squid, anchovies and sardines. These should all be available at your local pier or bait shop. Note: Live bait is ideal so try to find a shop that offers this option.
What side of pier do you fish on?
In the fall, fish are migrating south, so you want to fish the north side of the pier so you can cast your lure north and retrieve it back south toward you.
Is it better to fish at night or day?
Fish generally prefer early morning and evening sun to the bright midday rays. In midday, the surface temperature of the water is also hotter, forcing the fish to move deeper.
Are there eels in the James River?
Forest Service research charts an amazing journey. “Eel wrangler” holding American eel found in recent survey of James River in Virginia.
Are there sturgeon in the James River?
Atlantic sturgeon are an anadromous fish species meaning they spend their adult lives in the ocean and return to the rivers in which they were born to spawn. Atlantic sturgeon can be found on the James River, from the Chesapeake Bay to the Falls of the James, during their spring and fall migrations.
How do you catch bait on the James River?
What is the fine in Virginia for fishing without a license?
Fishing, hunting, or trapping without a license is a class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by up to $500 in fines. Often these are pre-payable offenses with fines less than $500. However, if you prepay you are pleading guilty to a criminal offense and it cannot be erased from your record.
Can you fish on Sundays in VA?
Fishing is permitted 24 hours a day unless otherwise posted at Department-owned lakes, ponds, streams, or boat access sites.
Where can you fish without a license in Virginia?
Tenants, on the land they rent and occupy, are not required to have a license, but must have the written permission of the landowner. Guests fishing in individually owned private ponds. Nonresident children under 16 years of age (also do not need a trout license).
Why is the James River Brown?
The James River turns brown with polluted runoff after a rain storm in July 2006. Currently, the health of the James River receives an overall grade of C with an average score of 52 percent. This means that we are about half way to the goals for returning the James River to full health.