heyitskirby

Going again tomorrow, I'll post how we do.

Went out yesterday....was real hit or miss on the radio, some people catching a ton, but most people fighting skunks. We put a 42" in the boat trolling a shallow bait. Had another bite on the same bait, but lost it setting the hook. South of buoy 41. Fog was vicious most of the day.

Keep those for catfish bait!

Patience with a circle hook is key. When a cat bites, let him take it (I set my drag out to nothing). Once the bait is in the fish's mouth the set on a circle hook is as simple as putting tension on the line.

I use 8/0 octopus hooks with cut bait, 3/0 circle hooks with shrimp. Catfish have big mouths, so really you need to base your hook size on the size of your bait.... If you have a big piece of bait...you need to make sure the cat will pick the bait up and the hook is large enough to set through the bait. Example...A big piece of cut gizzard shad (they get up to 5lbs on the James River in Richmond) will slide out of a fish's mouth if you use a small hook. At the same time, a large hook will tear out of a smaller piece of bait.

The flares? They're only required for "coastal waters". That part of the James if far far up river from what DGIF defines as coastal.

Put in at Osbourne Landing on the James once last year and had a complimentary Coast Guard check. They hand you a sheet at the end that they say you can hand to an officer if you get stopped. I don't know if it works or not, I failed since I didn't have flares. I'm glad she wasn't handing out tickets since she wasn't listening to me when I reminded her that flares weren't required where I was. I would have been ticked if I had to waste my time to fight that one. I still don't understand the throw cushion thing....is it supposed to be out when you are running too? I keep mine on top of everything in what I call my "safety compartment" where my PFDs, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit are. If it were out and visible I'd still think something would need be set on top of it to keep it from flying out of the boat....

Water dropped 2' over the weekend. Starting to run out from under the bushes, but with a lot of rain in the forecast over the next two days it could go up. Only thing is that the lake is drained to maintain a constant at Gaston. Gates were open Saturday and I'm sure the rain won't change Gaston's level quite as much. Clearing up finally around Clarksville and really clear down towards the dam, but again that will change with the rain. Soft plastics - natural colors, green pumpkin especially.

It's really no closer than they already were....

I read Back Bay is getting ready to make a come back....you been out there at all? Or has anyone else, for that matter?

I've been told in the past that the falling high is the best time to fish. I haven't had much luck down there on low, high or slack other than for catfish.

Fishing for catfish today off the dock on Buggs. Caught one 6 lb cat that's in the freezer now. Saw/heard a splash underneath a bush in about 2 - 3' of water and picked up my bass rod I had with me. Put on a 4" green pumpkin senko and threw underneath the bush. BAM! Caught this 2lber. Put up a fun fight and kept going airborne.

I know the area quite well. In fact I live on the lake during the week. The fish was caught near Clarksville, VA....thus my "VA side" comment. And its called Buggs after the island just the other side of the dam. Just showing some Virginia pride....

It was on the VA side. And we call it Buggs Island. .....just sayin.

Understood, but that still doesn't give anyone the right to cut someone else's lines.

Those people who run lines like that are just trying to eat and would probably still eat a dead one. They also have the same rights to the fish that you do....

8 feet would definitely be just that, a story. Catfish, while growing up to 4 - 5' in length, tend to be just as large in girth at their biggest.

The Chick is awesome, though my one time there I was skunked. I took my wife with me, though, and she loved being out there so much she was finally okay with how much money is spent on fishing and fell in love with being out on the boat.

Was hoping this was part of your plan! Nothing like a good boil! Bass may enjoy them, but so do I.... Oh and a minor fishing report...Given up on bass fishing for now at my spot on Buggs. Been back and forth on good days for sunfish(bait) and catfish. One 12 and one 15 lb catfish within 10 minutes of each other one day and otherwise 5 lbs has been our normal. Started my boat this past weekend, but have had zero time to get out on the water. Hoping to do so in the next couple of weeks. Working out of town is a pain, but after 20 months on this project we're about done.

Don't know if this is confirmation that it was from Kerr/Buggs or not, but someone I work with who is from the area showed me the picture on his phone and swore it was 8 lbs. Would think it would make news like the Blue Cat from last summer if it really were a big time record. Nice fish, though.

After posting in my local fish forum, I think its a Roanoke Bass. Makes sense for the location. Thanks guys!

Posted this in the Other Species forum, but wanted to post here for local knowledge.... Caught this today trying to catch catfish bait on a nightcrawler at Buggs. Looks like a sunfish, but had a bigger mouth...similar to a crappie.... Anyone know what it is....?

Caught this today at Buggs Island Lake (or Kerr Reservoir) on a nightcrawler trying to catch bait for catfish. Same shape and color as various types of sunfish or bream, but the big mouth threw me off. Any guesses?

Water came up end of last week but already appears to be headed back down some.

Water is up and muddy on the Occoneechee side, but clearing on Clarksville side. I've only been fishing from the bank, though, so I don't have too much info. Keep in mind Cabela's King Kat tourney is this weekend for the first time on Buggs, so should be busy, especially with recent world record.