As for croaker fishing rigs, Jeff likes to use a two-hook rig with size 6 or 8 hooks. “To me they are the saltwater equivalent of a smallmouth bass,” he shared. “For their size, they truly fight with all they have.” Any fish that earns comparison to the renowned smallmouth bass is getting high praise, indeed.
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What fish are biting in the James River?
Fishing is good for bluegill, and other species such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, redbreast sunfish, and channel catfish may be caught as well. The river is deep enough to use a prop motor downstream of the ramp but rocks limit safely taking a prop boat upstream of the boat ramp.
What fish are running in the James River?
While the Smallmouth bass is the dominant game species in the river, spotted and largemouth bass can also be caught. Other species are also plentiful in the James River, including channel catfish, flat head catfish, and various sunfish species (redbreast, bluegill, and rock bass).
What is the best bait to use in the James River?
Use fresh cut bait (various species of the shad family) in deep holes, on shallow flats, along dropoffs, and all sorts of other places. The river is full of blue catfish, and if you keep trying different locations, you’ll find some.
Where can I fish on the James River?
In the tidal James system, the best fishing for crappie occurs in tidal tributaries, as well as the James River mainstem near Jones Neck and Turkey Island. To find these tasty fish look for submerged structure such as downed trees and pier pilings in the vicinity of channel drop-offs.
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 best bait for croaker?
- Bloodworms.
- Squid strips.
- Peeler crab.
- Soft crab.
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).
Are there walleye in the James River in Virginia?
Spring is a great time on the James River to specifically target walleye, as the various species of rough fish that also call the river home do not become as active until later when the water temperatures rise. Early in the spring while chunks of ice are still floating with the current is when the walleye bite begins.
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.
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.
Is the James River freshwater 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 do you catch bait on the James River?
Do you need a fishing license to fish the James River?
One of Virginia’s newest state parks, James River State Park has 1,500 acres with three ponds for fishing: Branch Pond, Green Hill Pond and Taylor Pond in addition to freshwater fishing on the James River. Where fishing is permitted, valid Virginia fishing licenses are required.
Is the James River stocked with trout?
Fishing regulations on the Upper James. Adjacent to the James River are several stocked trout streams in some of the Blue Ridge Mountain’s most scenic settings. Three-year classes of trout have been established in the Roaring Run stream and fish up to 16 inches in size are available for anglers.
How do you catch bass on the James River?
Is the James River OK to swim in?
While the James is not always crystal clear, it’s still safe for recreation, most of the time. In the last six years, about 85 percent of water quality samples have shown the James is safe for recreation. The other 15 percent showed high levels of bacteria, especially after it rained.
Are there dolphins in the James River?
Dolphins, it seems, are not really uncommon in the Chesapeake Bay, and this one found its way up into the James River. While the James flows through Richmond as freshwater, it quickly turns brackish as it enters the tidal James just below the city.
Is the James River still contaminated?
“The 2021 State of the James report shows that the river remains a river at risk,” Street said. “The decreased scores in pollution reductions occurred despite increased investments by Virginia and clean water programs.”
What is the best time of year to catch croaker?
The best times for fishing for Atlantic croaker are from summer into the fall. They are easily caught on bait (dead shrimp) when fishing on the bottom. Small Atlantic croaker are used as a bait fish to catch other fish, especially spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosis) and crabs.
What is the best time to catch croaker?
To catch Atlantic Croaker, you’ll want to target them after winter passes, and the water temps have warmed up. The best times will vary slightly by region, but generally this will be from late spring through fall. You’ll find them in highest concentrations when the water temps surpass 75 degrees.
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.
How do you catch walleye in Virginia?
Fishing Techniques Crankbaits and jigging spoons work well when walleyes are deep. Trolling with nightcrawler harnesses (spinner rigs) is the preferred method in reservoirs during the summer months. Live baits such as minnows, shad or nightcrawlers are always a good option for walleye.
Are there walleye in the Shenandoah River?
The Shenandoah River is coming into its own as a walleye fishery. Currently, walleye can be found in the Shenandoah River from Warren Dam in Front Royal downstream beyond the Virginia/West Virginia state line. The main source of the population prior to the annual stocking program came from stocking 285,000 fry in 2007.
Does Virginia have walleye?
In 2021, Virginia DWR stocked approximately 1,049,811 Walleye or Saugeye fingerlings. Overall, in 2021 hatchery production was good and should lead to good Walleye fishing in 2022.