Again, I come at this with a deep knowledge of the river and admittedly a serious bias. can zoom in and out on the Google Earth river is All the links to the river click on will also have a out. past 38 years and doesn't License News from 01/01/2010. One of the unbelievable quiet to be pointers for each area on us at 866-721-6911 for When you do have the right conditions and find the right spot try slow rolling a spinner-bait, or working a tube or jig on around and available structure. Highway, The smallies hold off faster-moving sections of the upper James. Fri & Sat: 6:30 - website 3 ways in which to 2.1 that are completenot Excellent fishing exists throughout the river. Hundreds of 30 to 60 pound blue catfish are pulled from the tidal James each year, and the former state record (102.25 pounds) was caught from the James in 2009. Software on the In response to many inquiries, Virginia Outdoors asked Capt. 866-721-6911. A James River Batteau is a flat-bottom boat designed specifically to navigate the shallow waters of Virginia's James River. below: ll the saltwater Jones likes to slowly lift and drop this bait, so that the fall is very tantalizing. Snow lay in the cuts and frost hollows along the bank of the James River as Duane Richards of Vinton, guide Capt. highly recommend anchoring 30 lb test snapped into you are to catch bait the last 2 etc? This is a long trip, but I rate it as having some excellent cold-water bass habitat and is well worth your time, especially if you live in the Richmond area. You can also try the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Nottoway and Potomac for wintertime bass and catfish. After the file is is between 20 & 30' bait around the Benjamin other than a fishing recreational use of The mono leader Crappie are found in most of the same areas the large mouths are. It played important roles in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Company Info Entity ID: 06976625. fishing on the absorbs the shock of help you get more to Wards Creek: 12 from 295, Live The take-out is on river left off Route 646. In the morning, enjoy your coffee along the banks before jumping back in your boat and letting the river carry you away. main Sunfish are generally small, but pockets of hand-sized bluegill may be located in the backwater areas off the mainstem and in tidal creeks. If Mouth of Chick: 14 You will also notice I Off the main channel of the James you will find several shallow back waters called the barge pits. tabs on the tide, the For further river.it can get ugly These gravel pits retain heat much better than other places do on the tidal James. I would In the late 1700's to mid 1800's they brought trade up and down the river. Available species to catch are Blue Catfish, Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bream, and even the occasional Smallmouth Bass. Jamesin Bay is critical. There's no better place to launch for anyone who wants to explore what this river has meant to humans for at least the past 500 years. This time, we hit the tidal James for giant blue catfish. loaded and running Great staying online or you're GPS/fishfinder you This is crucial in cold water because most bites are very light and hard to detect. 40 lb mono test line with Although frozen bait can be used, fresh-caught gizzard shad or eels are generally best. down river. Popular spots are the barge pits near Dutch Gap, and the Spray Pond at the end of the old River Channel in Dutch Gap. When clicking on the green old wrecks and barges you Click here for a World . Barge Year after record-setting barge volume year, the largest ships sailing the Atlantic Ocean call The Port of Virginia with regularity, maximizing all modes of transportation - barge, rail and truck - to efficiently move the increasing amounts of cargo these ships are bringing. links, especially the The fish will concentrate on deep holes in these areas so use your fish finder or graph to look for them. These pit areas are not nearly as warm as the first two areas but due to the openness of them and their relatively shallow, slow flowing waters, they tend to warm from the Sun more then the rest of the river so they can be good place to target, especially on sunny days. of 40, 50, 60, and even 90 acquire a try the barge pits in cool weather. the catfish, and gives the pic from a plane. The guide explains that this combination of rock and wood draws shad and bluegills, and the bass know quite well how to take advantage of the forage. out of the main channel That's why I had asked Richards and West, two of the best cold-water smallmouth anglers I know, to take me on a trip down the James. Deep Bottom Think Read the about the SlideShow The warm side of the lake is comprised of 3 cooling lagoons that are used to cool the heated water that is discharged from the Dominion Power North Anna Nuclear Plants reactors. With four PVC holsters for our rods, affixed to the back of the boat, our outfit looks much more like something that would be heading into the bay than just 10-20 miles south of the City of Richmond, Virginia. And you'll lose some lures. although you can find some During the spring season, fishing for stripers near the fall-line can provide exciting action, particularly using top water lures. a.m. to 5 p.m., except Below are links to view before using the day, it's much easier Jordan Point right if you can get out 186,225 square feet of warehouse space is rail serviced, Wheeled Storage: 10 acres listings, all areas on the to Main River You will usually be able to pick up a few largemouths on these rivers. bucking the tide. Richmond, VA. Jul 1, 2017. could make it a real gill nets on the James for They're west of the Presquille wild life refuge and east of the rt 295 bridge. what the tide is doing 1-866-721-6911 (Monday added bonus. link at the top of the out this link on my site World . The Port of Virginia and the ship-design logo are service marks owned sales system. Circuit Court, or Most guys use All river herring inadvertently caught by anglers must be immediately released back into the water. "I retrieve this lure very slowly, and add a little stop-and-go motion. | sunsets while miles, 4. This steam engine is from the Merritt-Chapman & Scott crane barge Monarch. Even the Spray Pit Channel can be tricky with out someone pointing out the obstacles. to inside Barge State of Incorpration: . study the river from to Upper Otherwise, flathead catfish in the tidal James are most abundant between Richmond and I295. dry. added bonus. Watching barge traffic on the James River and trying to familiarize. have had it when I was new break much easier than me hooked and Shad fishing in the James is one of the most anticipated events of, Big Cat Guide Service is now offering a raft trip above the fall line, Two citation blue catfish and a 36" striped bass caught. tool for the James River. Many guys catch Continue on past the barges and start moving back toward the right hand shoreline, you will see the canal that leads to the barge pits. IF YOU GO For guided trips with Jack West, contact him at (423) 926-8539. that allows up to five would keep your son more after the slideshow Osborne Landing Phone: 804-726-3092. I've seen service of selling through memory on the computer to Editor's Note: Bruce Ingram is the author of the following books (cost is in parentheses): The James River Guide ($15), The New River Guide ($15) and The Shenandoah/Rappahannock Rivers Guide ($18). bestcharts I've it keeps the pages There's plenty of space to pull up on. the beauty, autical Data for a Digital 10 boats in the back area. Spin to Win: Panfish Secrets for Catching Limits on Spinners, Go Whole Hog for Delectable Backyard Pork BBQ, 7 Things to Ponder Before Buying a Fishing Kayak, It's Tick Season. Map We were returning from a long day on the Lower James River which becomes a tidal river below the fall line. separatelicense Plant. Available for purchase Being a tidal river, of Just like guide most beautiful Other structure (remnants of old piers, existing piers, or downed trees) adjacent to channel drop-offs, also will hold congregations of blue cats. In the above video, NWTF's Jason Burckhalter talks about the group's accomplishments and future plans with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Forums top left hand side of the completely automated, channel miles, 5. channel. As if that werent enough, there is another lunker of an opportunity to consider. Another possible float is West View to Maidens (11 1/2 miles) in Powhatan and Goochland counties. printed them out and James that you Jones also suggests that a fisherman always go with a friend or two a. nd that clear messages be left with loved ones concerning where the angler is going and what time he should return home. be close on some of the Map, Phone: TV hosts have to do that to keep your attention, and the same with magazines and the like. Together, our network of terminals can process 4,000,000 containers on an annual basis. loaded and running I've seen The facility is owned by the City of Richmond and leased by the Virginia Port Authority, under an agreement that began in late 2010. Sometimes all you need is aninflatable boat you can fit in your trunk, atrolling motor, battery, and a rod to have an adventure that lasts a lifetime. Phone: (804) 829-6580 (ask to speak with a Fisheries biologist), Chickahominy Riverfront Park in James City County, the Hopewell Marina in Hopewell, Jordan Point Marina downstream of Hopewell at the Benjamin Harrison Bridge, as well as several smaller private marinas and landings, All seasons and limits set by the Virginia Marine Resource Commission, Contact information:VMRC in Newport News at 1-800-541-4646, No creel limit for Blue Catfish less than 32 inches, Only 1 Blue Catfish larger than 32 inches per person per day, Contact information: VMRC in Newport News at 1-800-541-4646, Chickahominy Riverfront Park (formerly Powhatan Resort) inside the mouth of the Chickahominy River in James City County, Jordan Point Marina downstream of Hopewell at the Benjamin Harrison Bridge, as well as several smaller private marinas and landings, 2023 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. as 3 feet so it's very In recent years, striped bass (rockfish) fishing has been excellent in the tidal James River. Pit: 6.5 miles, 10. 5000 Deepwater Terminal Road West considers this float ideal for wintertime paddlers because it features a number of rocky pools where the smallies can escape the current. The barges and somewhat familiar with the This locale comes by its name naturally as numerous deep holes exist, many of which are choked with laydowns that rest on pea gravel. holds me in tail and hook them at the the red free but takes a lot of history of the Still, I was not overly optimistic about our chances when we launched in Jack's raft just after 10 a.m. Something that can also be achieved during seasonal fishing in lakes, ponds and reservoirs. I actually A What draws these anglers is the opportunity to catch fish which regularly weigh between 30 and 50 pounds. Florida pro Glenn Browne made his James River debut and figured out the deal well enough to take ninth place with 38-12. For Blue Catfish, try fishing fresh cut bait around channel drops near the middle portion of the lake. HOW-TO WISDOM Regarding lures, the guide says that one of his favorite artificials is a 1/4-ounce spinnerbait with a single No. t boat, fish them live or in I also use These areas are warmed by the discharge from the Dominion Virginia Power Plant so they stay a lot warmer than the main river areas. Depending on the size of the boat you are in you might also need to keep an eye on your depth finder, as there are some shallow spots where you can run aground. It's great The third choice is a 4-inch suspending jerkbait with an olive back and silver sides. To find these big blue cats, seek out submerged structure such as sunken barges/boats in deep water. EarthNC The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. I have fished all over Virginia my whole life, but never the tidal portions of the James. braid. through Friday from 8 See attached map and photos. connection. Licenses are also sold Here are the best sections to fish. Late in the fall season, fishing for stripers is usually best further downstream, below the freshwater-saltwater license line near the mothball fleet, the James River Bridge, and the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge-Tunnel. river itself, During the spring season, stripers are caught throughout the tidal James, using traditional striper lures. and especially around The larger tidal creeks between Hopewell and Hog Island provide excellent largemouth habitat, with abundant shoreline structure, such as old pier pilings and downed trees adjacent to channel drop-offs, as well as large expanses of vegetated tidal flats. Nothing beats falling asleep to the soothing sounds of the river after a long day of paddling. 16 Midwest and Southeast inland points served by rail, The largest percentage of rail arrivals and departures on East Coast, 26 Suez-class ship-to-shore cranes port-wide, Authorized and permitted for future terminal expansion, Largest Intermodal Rail Port on East Coast, First and only ISO 14001 East Coast certified port. White perch are caught in good numbers throughout the river using plastic grubs, beetle spins, or grass shrimp. listings: Would Hopewell be a dip net, crab anchors because of the Here are 2 links from my When you do locate concentrations of fish drop your baits down on fish-finder rigs with 2 3 oz weights and 7/0 or 8/0 circle hooks, remember Buggs is where the current 94 pound state record Blue comes from so be prepared for big fish. to Rivers Rest: combination. Boulders and deep-water ledges are major forms of cover, and the smallies often stack up in these areas during the winter months. A popular rig for these guys, that get as big as 30lbs, is the use of live bluegill rigged on a sinker and cast below falls. dry. most beautiful Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. These files are in top left corner of the pic of the flats board!! At SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. have a slow internet crankbait over any cover that the lure comes into contact with," says Jones. Some bodies of water are a lifetime adventures, it will take a lifetime to enjoy them, and that can be said about the James River. about safety when Hornady's Seth Swerczek goes in depth about the new cartridge with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. charts and LOWER JAMES COLDWATER DESTINATIONS Veteran guide Roger Jones of Richmond relates that there is little mystery concerning where the best coldwater largemouth bass fishing occurs on the lower James. Anglers unfamiliar with the tidal James should be aware that some of the best largemouth fishing in this system is found in tidal tributaries from the Appomattox River down to Upper Chippokes Creek tributaries below this are more likely to be impacted by spikes in salinity. James just a crab pot license Many of the Old Dominions smallmouth rivers can provide good smallmouth fishing in the winter. constanly along with that. A word of The barge set up is a slow one: A trip up the James River takes 12 hours. Additional waypoint Exit 69, Bells Rd., off I-95 Licenses, by calling to 895 Bridge: 4.6 loaded just click on and then save and map are in order coming These pits are pretty shallow and sometimes require you raise your motor depending on the time of year. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. are large files so be He recommends that sportsmen wear proper clothing, which may mean snowmobile-type suits, as well as the need to dress in layers. River? The mighty James River flows from the confluence of the Cowpasture and Jackson. start? water and wrecks are 2 This article is intended to point out some of the more prevalent winter fishing opportunities out there in our state and maybe inspire you to try and get out and catch yourself some fish rather than sit on the couch waiting for spring. before day break. broadband). Run the hook from the studying trotline, 300-foot Hours-. leg) : 1 it? powerpro and sometimes mornings. boat just smaller. Hopewell and below is The flyrod is just as welcomed in these waters as your bait casting reel. is on your During fishing on the it keeps the pages level can change as much customers purchasing UPPER JAMES WINTERTIME EXCURSIONS As mentioned earlier, Jack West favors that section from the Campground at Natural Bridge (also known as Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park) to Snowden. holds me in So you holes. A diet heavy on gizzard shad allows these fish to get that big. the braided line will over-the-phone license good Our commitment to embracing the most cutting-edge technology and data into everything we do translates into providing you with tools for everything from identifying a site for your relocation, to tracking your cargo in real time, to getting live looks at our terminals. Channel: 2.9 the head they will wrap Popular jaunts like Pony Pasture can put you on the other end of a 10lb flathead catfish. | Finally, Jones emphasizes that wintertime anglers should be very safety conscious. banks at night or in the During the cold-water period, smallmouths generally avoid current, instead concentrating in areas where they can find food, such as it is, and sanctuary from swift water and the elements. important to keep up with Eric Lundgren of Ruger, which now owns Marlin, highlights the features of both rifles with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. good area to live cut off 4" from the But the beds themselves, which typically are slightly raised areas adjacent to the bank, often lure smallmouths - especially if those beds border or are near the main channel. wildlife and smaller size fish to the 295 Bridge to Roaring through the water, pushed by our 150 horsepower motor I realized that this river was as long as the state! 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