Stan Cobb at Greentop says the stripers at Anna have been on fire. Guide Jim Hemby is reporting using up 250 baits in several hours. The stripers are also biting well at Kerr, as they are still performing their spawning rituals. The bass in Kerr, Anna, and Gaston are in post spawn mode for the most part. The boat docks are producing good fish at Gaston and Anna. The shad spawn is occurring in many of the larger lakes. The bluegills are spawning and the blueback herring are also beginning to perform their spawning rituals. While approaching these areas of the spawning feeder fish, flukes, wacky rigs, and topwaters are usually great producers of nearby bass. The crappie are starting to school up in large groups again, as they are finished with their spawning duties. This is happening pretty much everywhere. The tidal rivers are hot now. The Chick and James have been producing incredible bags of bass. The strike zone of the bass has increased due to their shallow activity.
The Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers are also producing notable sized bags of bass. Look for an increase of large cats coming from the tidal rivers. Do not overlook Kerr Reservoir for the giant cats, as there has been fish over 100-lbs. caught from Kerr in the last few years. The upper James has risen again, bringing the current level to 6.92 ft. at the Westham gauge. The current travels a bit fast at this level, so let’s hope it recedes soon. The weather is forecast this weekend is favorable.
Lake Orange
Water temperatures are in the low 70s and the lake is stained but fishable with bass and crappie in the post spawn. Bream are on the spawning grounds now. A few nice walleye have been caught up on the flats. Catfishing has picked up with chicken livers and clam snouts working best.
Potomac River
Capt. Steve Chaconas says a big spawn expected this week.It may happen this week when we have the next full moon, on May 18.Water temperatures are hovering close to 65. Not quite warm enough for fish to commit.
Fish are staging. Without the Potomac grass beds, these can be difficult to target. However go with the flow. Emerging spadderdock, wood cover, and docks provide great areas for fish to stage near spawning flats. Otherwise, look for bottom irregularities. A slight drop in depth is all fish need to hold.