James River High Tide Question

[Joe D]

Hello everybody,

I am wondering if someone could offer some river help. I fished the BASS open last year on the James and my partners both days wanted to run the low tide. I have fished all over Virginia my whole life, but never the tidal portions of the James. So if was a great learning experience. I think I have a decent grasp of how to deal with the outgoing tide. I am fishing the open again this year and noticed the tournament days we are mostly going to be dealing with the high tide, unless we make a big run. So I am wonder how does this change the fishing style? And if it alters the presentations we will be making and possibly areas we may be targeting. I am trying to get my gear together and am wondering what to expect. Any and all feed back would be great.

Thanks Joe

[bigbass101]

^{fishing the james at 22 street there is alot of pull offs on the side of the road throw a yum dinger watermalon or pumkin with a little tube weight if the water is up.}

[heyitskirby]

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.

[Sam]

Falling tide = best.

Slack tide = worse.

High tide = difficult.

The problem with a high tide is that the bass and baitfish run into the grasses and back into the creeks to hide, rest and feed.

Without water moving the bass will just sit in a spot and you have to aggravate them into hitting your baits.

A high tide may not be that bad for fishing the Chick, James and Appomattox Rivers. Hit the shorelines, any wood you see, all docks, all piers, all creeks, all pits, bridges, jetties and anything else you see (like the barges in the barge pit) where the bass can hang out and wait for the tide to start falling.

If you are going as a nonboater I don't think you should be concerned with the tide as your boater may already have an idea of what he wants to do and where he wants to go.

Your goal is to try to find the pattern and go with it during the day until it ends and you have to find another pattern.

May I suggest throwing your plastics at the shoreline and back to the boat, and as stated above plus some others, by cyprus trees in the Chick, blowdowns, grass, wood in grass, piers, docks, barges, creek mouths, channels, brushpiles and the jetties. Don't for get the jetties on the Historic James River. The jetties hold bass all the time.

Good luck and I may see you at the weigh-in unless my daughter-in-law delivers our grandaughter and I have to help baby sit my grandson and grandog. But so far I am on the list to help with the weigh-in.

[Joe D]

Thanks for the feed back Sam, your thoughts are always helpful. Look forward to seeing you at the tournament.

Joe

[Sam]

Thanks for the feed back Sam, your thoughts are always helpful. Look forward to seeing you at the tournament.

Joe

X2

[WdyCrankbait]

Joe,

Sam won't lie to you, but he will me Hahaha, call me soon Sam, I talked to CJ today.