Finally, the James is fishable. In fact, it’s in near-perfect condition, running a little under 4 feet, ideal for this time of year. The smallmouth are biting, but so far, no citations reported at James River Runners in Hatton. With all the up and down swings in water levels, not all of the smallmouth have finished spawning. They’ll keep trying and hopefully reproduce a good year class for 2015.
The top water bite is happening now as damselflies emerge. Catfish are also biting. Expect some 50-pound class flatheads to come from the Scottsville area this summer.
On the James in Lynchburg, Tom Reisdorf at Angler’s Lane says that smallmouth fishing is very good. Bass are going for popping bugs, minnow imitations and crayfish imitations. The water is warming and clearing up.
On the middle James in the Cartersville area, local angler Doug Reynolds reports that the smallmouth fishing has been slow thus far due to hot days and warming water temperatures. Recent rains should help. Most of the fish being caught so far are in the 10- to 14-inch size range. Best bet for catching a big smallmouth is going to be early morning or late in the afternoon. Crankbaits, top water baits and plastics have been the most productive lures.
The Potomac Report
Bass in the Grass
Bigger fish are recovering from the spawn and are still in deeper grass. Slow lures and even top waters will encourage bass to bite.
After the water had reached 84 degrees on Monday, it had dropped to 72 by the end of the week. The river is fairly clear after a rainy week. Thunderstorms will likely return on Friday into the weekend.
With cloud cover, 1/4 and 3/8 ounce Mann’s Classic Spinnerbaits, white skirts with Indiana and Colorado blades on 12-pound test GAMMA edge fluorocarbon line can be slow rolled over the tops of grass and snapped free. For hard cover fish in clear water, try Mann’s Baby 1-Minus or go deeper with Lucky Craft 1.5 squarebills. If stained, go back to the spinnerbaits. Bump wood and hesitate. Faster retrieves in clear water. Worth a try over grass too.
With low morning tides in clear water, try topwaters like Lucky Craft G-Splash poppers or walking Gunfish. Start slowly to see what fish want. Abandon these as the tide rolls in or the sun comes up.
With sun, try green pumpkin Mizmo Quiver Stix stick worms either Texas rigged on 3/0 Mustad or wacky rigged with an O-ring on a 2/0 Octopus hook. Braid with fluorocarbon leaders will work. Also try Texas rigged Mizmo green pumpkin tubes on a 3/0 Ultra Point tube hook with a 3/16-bullet weight. Pitch to grass and work slowly. Twitching weightless orange or pink trick worms Texas rigged is also working.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River. info@nationalbass.com
Chickahominy Lake
Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service (804-746-2475) out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reported that Chickahominy Lake mid-day water temperatures were in the mid 70’s to low 80’s in the main lake and in the major creeks on Wednesday (6/10/2015). The lake level was about 6 inches above the top of the dam. The water was moderately brown and quite cloudy in the lower lake.
Blue cats were scattered throughout the lake and creeks and were hitting live minnows and cut bait. Moderate numbers of crappie were in loose schools in the main lake on deeper flats and channel edges, usually at depths of 6 to 12 feet. A few crappie were scattered singly or in small schools on shallow to mid-depth cypress knees, wood cover, and shoreline weed beds in the main lake and in mouths of major creeks. Active crappie were hitting live minnows, Wright Bait Co. curlytail jigs, small tubes, Kalin crappie scrubs, and small swim baits. Some small to medium yellow perch were scattered in some creeks and on main lake shoreline flats and were hitting live minnows and small jigs. Some nice bluegill were scattered and in small aggregates near shorelines in some areas near mouths in major creeks and in the main lake and were hitting live crickets and worms, flies, and small tubes and jigs. Some bass and pickerel were on lily pad flats and along shorelines in lower reaches of major creeks and in shallow bays in the main lake and were hitting live minnows, spinnerbaits, swim baits, stick worms, and jigs.
Fishing with Capt. Conway, Terry Rivers had 26 bluegill and 1 yellow perch. Tom Porter had 25 bluegill, 15 crappie, and 1 bass.
Lake Anna
Some nice size stripers are hitting now at Anna. Bobby Queen weighed in one at 9 pounds, 1 ounce. On the same day, June 6, Queen boated and released a 5-3 largemouth. Shawn and Jimmy Blankenship had a limit of stripers to 5 pounds. Seven-year-old Owen Harper caught 6-8 striper measuring 25-inches. Crappie are heading deep.
Buggs Island
Bass are scattered and crappie are heading to deep docks, deep brush and bridge pilings. Striper action has been good as hungry fish return from spawning runs upriver.
Trout Streams
Levels are strong for this time of year. Tom Reisdorf at Angler’s Lane in Forest says that the rainbows and browns in the Jackson are cooperating, and are attacking nymphs and minnow imitations. The water is 58 and very clear. Brookie anglers are in luck, as the little ones are “hungry” and eating dry flies. The water is very clear and in the mid to high 50s.
Lake Gaston
Holly Grove Marina reports that bass are taking top water offerings around docks and weed beds. They are through spawning and the lake is full of fry. For the night bite, try dark colored lures, particularly jitterbugs.
Crappie fishing takes patience. It’s “a waiting game”, but once they start hitting, you can land an amazing number of fish quickly. Try fishing around docks and structure, using the traditional minnows and jigs. Cats are holding to the main lake channels in 5 to 10 feet of water. They will take cut bait, frozen alewives and shad or an extra large minnow. For the night bite, fish a little shallower. Bream can be found around the docks and are taking red wigglers and popping flies. The water is fairly clear and 74 degrees.
Smith Mountain Lake
Captain Travis Patsell of Cats N ‘ Stripers Fishing Charters reports. Water temperatures are in the high 70s, but expect the temperatures and boat traffic to rise.
Stripers: The majority of the stripers were holding in the lower reaches of the lake for their false spawn in May. Now, look for the stripers to start to move back upstream in both rivers of the lake. The stripers will spread out in the creeks and large coves from the lower end up to the middle of the rivers. Look for the fish to be in around 15 to 40 ft. in the water column, but they can still be in the depth range of deeper water. Several methods will be effective. Planer boards and floats baited with gizzard shad or alewives ran on long free lined or light lined planer, which can be weighted up to 3/8 ounces. Down lines and light lines from the boat will also be effective.
Keep your eyes open for busting stripers on the surface. Take a slow approach and most top water and shallow running baits will be effective. The night bite is still effective but starting to slow as the water continues to warm. Thundersticks and Redfins are still a top bait for stripers.
Catfish: The catfish bite may slow as we get into June, as both of the lakes species will take to spawn. Look for channels and flatheads to key in on spawning alewives, with live and cut bait being your bait of choice fished in 8 to 20 ft. of water.
Crappie: Over Memorial Day, we found several nice crappie in the middle reaches of coves and creeks in 9 to 22 ft. of water on brush and docks holding close to the deeper water. Big minnows or small alewives were the bait of choice.
Lower New River
Big Z’s, John Zienius, says that lots of smallies are coming in, but no big ones. They are biting green and brown tubes and small crayfish imitations. Muskie fishing is excellent. The toothy monsters are going for any bass bait they can grab and also big inline spinners and big jerkbaits. The water is clear and in the upper 70s.
Upper New River
Captain Forest Pressnell reports that the upper part of the New River is green and fairly clear with water temps in the 70s.Try top water early and late in the day for smallmouth and muskie then slow crankbaits and plastics during the day.
Tangent Outfitters says the smallmouth bite is “on”. They are going for everything – soft plastics, cranks, jerks and top waters. The muskies are taking inline spinners and glides. The water is high green and “beautiful”, with temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s.
North and South Forks Shenandoah River
Harry Murray says that smallmouth fishing in both the north and south forks of the Shenandoah is “excellent”. The water is very clear, at a normal level and 73 degrees. Good flies are Murray’s Heavy Black Hellgrammite in size 4, Murray’s Olive Marauder in size 6, and Murray’s Magnum Hog Sucker in size 4.
SALTWATER
www.misskarencharterfishing.com).
Middle Bay
Croakers, croakers and more croakers reports Capt. Dick Whitehill aboard Miss Karen. spot are also in the mix. Flounder are biting at The Cell. No report yet on Spanish Mackerel, Capt. Whitehill’s specialty.
Virginia Beach
Dr. Julie Ball reports: The summer fishing scene continues to pick up momentum, but the northeasterly blow this weekend could slow things a little.
Cobia are still the big news. Exceptional numbers of early season fish, with many over 50-pounds, are contributing to an excellent introduction to the fishing season. Although some cobia sight-casting experts are complaining that the fish are somewhat finicky, plenty of encounters are providing ample opportunity to score with some nice fish. Boats using chumming techniques are also experiencing good results from the Buckroe area off Hampton, to the Inner Middle Grounds and the Nine-foot Shoals closer to the mouth of the Bay. Even local pier anglers are getting in on the action, with some smaller cobia landed this week.
Very good catches of yellowfin tuna, along with some nice big eye tuna and larger and abundant Mahi are contributing to a great kick-off for Virginia’s offshore season. Many boats are returning to the docks early with limits of yellowfin tuna averaging around 40-pounds.
The red drum bite is still good, as big reds continue to hit along the surf of the Eastern Shore barrier islands, and at Buoys 8 and 10 near Nautilus Shoal, and the Nine-foot Shoal area. Blue crab is the best bait while bottom fishing for reds. Bunker and mullet also work well. Some anglers are also finding decent trolling and top water action as schools of big red drum cruise off the oceanfront. A few black drum are taking clams near Buoys 13 and 16 off the Eastern Shore, but the size of these fish is somewhat smaller than in weeks past.
The flounder bite continues to evolve, with more anglers reporting limits of bigger fish from various areas in lower Bay waters. A few flatfish are taking drifted minnows and cut bait near the islands of the CBBT, and anglers jigging and working live bait along the pilings and over the tubes of the Bridge Tunnel are also scoring with scattered fish, with the 1st and 2nd islands the most productive. Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets are producing some nice keepers, with many flatties pushing 21-inches. The Cell, Willoughby, Buckroe and Buoy 36A areas are also reporting decent catches, while the bayside and seaside areas of Oyster on the Eastern Shore are still producing the largest and best numbers for drifters, with a few doormats mixed in.
Good quantities of decent puppy drum continue to come from within Lynnhaven Inlet, while Rudee Inlet and Mobjack Bay are also reporting some catches of pups. The croaker bite remains typical for this time of the year, with plenty of medium-sized fish keeping bottom bouncers and pier anglers content. The HRBT, Hampton Bar, the Monitor-Merrimac, the James River Bridge, and Little Creek are providing good action on a range of sizes of hardheads. Some decent sea mullet are also biting off the oceanfront and lower Bay piers.
The sheepshead bite is still heating up, with some big fish coming from the CBBT proper. Spadefish are circling the Chesapeake Light Tower, as well as responding over several inshore wrecks on clams. Although interest is low, some striped bass are still biting around the 3rd and 4th islands of the CBBT on topwater lures in the evenings, but be sure to review the new regulations.
Deep droppers are finding a good variety of blueline tilefish, nice golden tilefish, some big grouper and blackbellied rosefish, along with big sea bass near the Norfolk Canyon. A few boats are still targeting wrecks for sea bass, but that attraction is faltering as other species become available.
Offshore, very good catches of yellowfin tuna, along with some nice big eye tuna and larger and abundant Mahi are contributing to a great kick-off of Virginia’s offshore season. Many boats are returning to the docks early with limits of fish, with most of the yellowfin tuna averaging to around 40-pounds.
Nags Head
TW’s Reports
Surf Fishing: On Wednesday, sea mullet were caught north of the inlet. A few bottom fish were scattered. Drum were caught on the north beaches. On Tuesday, it was bluefish and bottom fish. Nags Head had SW winds at 8 and a water temp at 64 degrees and calm clear water.
Sound Fishing Report: The Little Bridge on the Nags Head/Manteo causeway reported many small trout and croaker, plus flounder and pinfish on Tuesday
Pier Fishing Report: Avalon had blues, sea mullet, croakers and spot. Nags Head Pier reported blues. Jennette’s anglers caught blues, sea mullet, spot, pinfish, and gray trout. The Outer Banks Pier had blues, sea mullet and spot.
Near shore boats are bringing in Spanish, bluefish and albacore. The inshore boats caught croakers, gray trout, spot and sea mullet. The cobia are still around.
Oregon Inlet
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center reported a beautiful day on June 10, and an even better day for fishing. Offshore captains came in with a slew of near-limits and limits for dolphin, plus plenty of yellow fin tuna (all solid sizes of around 60-lbs.) and citation big eye tuna ranging from 103-137 lbs.! One Bonita was also in the mix. The near shore captains brought in about 100 croakers, gray trout, spot, and sea mullet. While Miss O.I. brought in flounder, sea mullet, gray trout, tuffers, pinfish, pigfish, and sea robins.
On June 9, the weather made for a bumpy ride out for the captains and their crews, with only 14 offshore boats deciding to sail. However, it was another really good day for fishing. A minimum of 32-60 (the limit) Mahi-Mahi were brought to the docks, plus yellow fin tuna, wahoo, and one blue marlin release. The near shore boats brought in the popular Spanish mackerels and one captain had 7 amberjacks, some dolphin, and a shark. The inshore captains reported scattered cobia and flounder. The head boat managed to catch croakers, sea mullet, pigfish, pinfish, and gray trout.
Hatteras Surf
From Red Drum & Tackle: On Wednesday, anglers caught sea mullet at ramps 38 and 49. A 40-pound cobia was beached at Ramp 55 on Thursday. Spanish were caught near Ramp 45.
The wind blew on Tuesday, but Ramp 38 had some sea mullet. Ramp 43 had sea mullet and some blow toads.
Hatteras Offshore
On Wednesday, a group from Pennsylvania drove all night to fish aboard The Godspeed. It was worth the drive. Capt. Dave Wilson put them on a huge school of dolphin, they caught their limits and headed back in. On June 8, the gaffers and bailers were plentiful, and Capt. Wilson’s party had plenty of action. “For a little variety we were able to catch a handful of blackfins near the end of the day.”