Thirty years ago, the Rappahannock River was noted as Virginia’s premiere catfish river. The Rapp drew wide numbers of tourists looking for that 30 or 40 pounder. But then, the James got hot with monster cats pulled in near Hopewell. Then it was Buggs Island producing fish in excess of 100 pounds. But throughout all that, the Chickahominy River remains a top spot for catfish large and small. Mike Johncox at Riverside Camp said his campers pounded the cats last week with catches to 67 pounds. Plus, if it’s pan-sized cats, 3 to 5 pounders, you can catch all you want.
The big cats were taking live eels in about 12 feet off the ledges. The smaller fish will eat worms, chicken livers, shrimp or whatever they bump into.
Buzzbaits, frogs and plastic worms are the preferred baits for bass anglers, while fly-rodders are using poppers. Lily pad fields and cypress trees in deeper water are the best structure, although the hydrilla beds are also giving up some nice fish on plastic jerkbaits and frogs. Docks are always good cover and give up bass on soft plastic baits and small jigs.
Potomac River
Slow down, says Capt. Steve! Fish are still biting, just keep baits in one spot for a while, no matter the lure.
High tides coming later in the morning make for a good early topwater bite. Hollow frogs on 60-pound Gamma Torque braid are the best choice over heavy grass, while Lucky Craft G-Splash 80 poppers will cover open areas. For the popper, try 30-pound braid to keep fish hooked over grass. The larger hooks on the G-Splash 80 will bite into fish better.
Mann’s Baby 1-Minus crankbaits on 14-pound Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line will help to snap baits out of grass and to haul fish from grass. Also try chatterjigs in craw patterns.
As the tide rises, fish the inner edges of sparse grass edges with weightless stickworms and Texas rigged Mizmo tubes. Use a 3/0 Mustad Mega Bite hook on 14-pound test Edge. Allow the baits to sit and slowly move through grass by lifting over grass tops. Allow to drop and sit. Watch for line movement. Soaking baits in garlic Jack’s Juice Bait Spray will encourage fish to hold on longer.
Rappahannock River
Above Fredericksburg, smallmouth are being taken on topwater lures early and late in the day. Bream are active. The tidal water is giving up largemouth bass to anglers fishing shad colored crankbaits and plastic worms, along the Southern shoreline, in downed timber and undercut banks. Blue catfish are taking live white perch and cut bait.
Shenandoah River
Smallmouth bass are biting well. Small crankbaits, spinners and plastic grubs are taking lots of bass, along with some nice bream. Catfishermen are scoring with chicken livers, cut bait and live shiners.
Lake Anna
Bass are taking Silver Buddies, crankbaits and large plastic worms in 18-30 feet of water on ridges and points. Schooling bass may be found on points, dropping into deep water. Stripers are taking live shad, particularly at Rose Valley, the Splits and Terry’s Run. Crappie schools are suspended over creek channels in 15-25 feet of water and bridge pilings in 35 feet of water.
James River
Lots of smallmouth bass are being caught on weightless Senkos and plastic grubs above Richmond. Largemouth are holding on points and wood cover in tidal waters.
Lake Gaston
Crappie are holding in brush piles in 12-18 feet of water and taking live minnows. Down lake, bass are holding in 12-20 feet and may be taken on plastic worms and deep-diving crankbaits. Up lake, fish the grass lines on the main lake points and in the creeks and coves with topwater frogs, floating worms and buzzbaits. Stripers are being caught on rattling crankbaits, fished near the bottom on river channel points. Lots of stripers are available on topwater baits, bucktails and Sassy Shads below the Gaston Dam in Roanoke Rapids Lake.
Buggs Island
The lake is at full pool and stable. Stripers are being caught with vertical jigs like Hopkins spoons. Better areas have been Nutbush Creek and County Line Creek, on the lower end of the lake. Rattling crankbaits and plastic lures in pumpkinseed or June bug colors are taking largemouth bass. Crappie are on brush piles in 10-12 feet of water. White bass are being caught from
Clarksville to Bluestone Creek.
Smith Mountain
Fishing is good, with stripers to 20 pounds being caught at the log boom, near the islands, at the “S” turns and off the mouth of Gills Creek. Most of the fish are being taken early in the morning or at night. Largemouth bass are being caught in 18-25 feet of water on deep-diving crankbaits and plastic worms. Topwater lures are taking fish early and late in the day.
New River
Smallmouth action is excellent with lots of 2-3 pound fish being caught on topwater lures and plastic grubs. Catfish are eating on cut bait at night. A few musky are reported. Walleye are being taken by night fishermen on live bait, below the dam.