James River Largemouth

[Carrington]

I was wondering where the best spot to fish for large mouth on the james this spring.  All ive got is a jonboat and a 40lb trolling motor, so it cant be to far up the james.  just somewhere near richmond area james.

[hokiefisherman93]

I fish everywhere from Belle Isle to Ancarrows landing and hit the banks or any structure in the river pretty hard with jerkbaits and cranks usually.  It seems to do pretty well.

[Aluma-Bass]

ive caught some nice largemouth out of Watkins landing a few years back. You also can get into a good mix of smallies too. It gets shallower as you go up river, good fishing around the islands and rocks/rapids or can go down river towards dam for deeper water. Jon boats launch out of there all the time!

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=&sll=37.587779,-77.711878&sspn=0.007329,0.020986&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=37.588017,-77.712886&spn=0.011885,0.019248&z=16

[Carrington]

thanks for the help, and any more tips?

[hokiefisherman93]

james river is not the best largemouth fishing, but catfishing is killer

[s13john]

rock hoping around richmond is the way to go. ive caught a few nice largemouth at belle island, but smallie fishing between the powhite and train bridge is awesome.

[Carrington]

if its not good for large mouth then what lake close to me is good for largemouth?

[Aluma-Bass]

briery creek , Sandy River Reservoir  , swift creek reservoir , nottoway, powhatan lakes, amelia lake just to name a few....

[Carrington]

ok thanks

[Sam]

Carrington,

Go to Green Top and get a GMCO map of the upper James River.

Put in at Watkins Landing and go in either direction.

Also pick up a copy of the new 2010 Fishing in Virginia publication from the DG&F which lists places to fish with your Jon boat within the state. Check out each region for the listings.

You may also want to consider Swift Creek Lake at the Pocahontas State Park. Give them a call and find out if you can use your own Jon boat or if you have to rent a boat from them. 

[Carrington]

ok, thanks alot sam

[basscrusher]

The James sucks for bass, but if you must go...

try the barge pits in cool weather.  Temps are always higher in there.  But be CAREFUL for submerged wrecks.  And you'll lose some lures.  Break them off, don't try to get them back.  You might wreck your boat.

Some of the creeks right below Osbourne are decent.  Hit them up with small spinnerbaits and finesse plastics.  Any cover you find, pound it.  Good cover is at a premium on the James.