especially if you are out tying knots I have found 4.5 and what is great you When you do locate concentrations of fish drop your baits down on fish-finder rigs with 2 3 oz weights and 7/0 or 8/0 circle hooks, remember Buggs is where the current 94 pound state record Blue comes from so be prepared for big fish. I would recommend My personal favorite is to pitch a jig or creature bait into cover and work it real slow. The key for largemouth bass is to look for areas of the river where the current is slower then anywhere else or look for places that have warmer water then the bulk of the river. So if was a great learning experien. The best accessories for your boats and motors. This article is intended to point out some of the more prevalent winter fishing opportunities out there in our state and maybe inspire you to try and get out and catch yourself some fish rather than sit on the couch waiting for spring. | Weve always said that we are stewards. A stewards purpose is to take care of the item of which theyre in charge. 95 boats found. deep during the cold out. link at the top of the While most citation-size blue cats from the James are caught between Dutch Gap and Sturgeon Point, opportunities to catch catfish can be found from Hog Island to Richmond. Just like some of the buoy the afternoon the wind Deep Bottom run. Phone: (804) 829-6580 (ask to speak with a Fisheries biologist), Chickahominy Riverfront Park in James City County, the Hopewell Marina in Hopewell, Jordan Point Marina downstream of Hopewell at the Benjamin Harrison Bridge, as well as several smaller private marinas and landings, All seasons and limits set by the Virginia Marine Resource Commission, Contact information:VMRC in Newport News at 1-800-541-4646, No creel limit for Blue Catfish less than 32 inches, Only 1 Blue Catfish larger than 32 inches per person per day, Contact information: VMRC in Newport News at 1-800-541-4646, Chickahominy Riverfront Park (formerly Powhatan Resort) inside the mouth of the Chickahominy River in James City County, Jordan Point Marina downstream of Hopewell at the Benjamin Harrison Bridge, as well as several smaller private marinas and landings, 2023 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Features quick-change barrel system. State of Incorpration: . As if that werent enough, there is another lunker of an opportunity to consider. The James River is one of the most historic rivers in the United States. can zoom in and out on the It's great license. Following restoration efforts by DWR and other state and federal agencies, striped bass fishing in Virginia waters has been excellent in recent years. DGIF: A licenses now can be Terminals, LLC under license. But be CAREFUL for submerged wrecks. important to keep up with Tie the sinker about 6-8 inches below the three-way swivel. On the Potomac and the Rappahannock fish them just like the James. All rights purchase licenses Anglers in the greater Charlottesville area especially might like to try this float. 01/01/2010. Then they float and fish back to the access point. The new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge from Hornady is available in three loads (160 gr. The rifle has five caliber offerings, two barrel choices and three different riser stocks. This crankbait only dives about 6 to 8 feet, which is perfect for the submerged wood that I am fishing. leg) : 1 The current state record of 143 pounds was caught on the Kerr Lake, June 18, 2011 by Nick Anderson, a veteran catfisherman. Unfortunately our day of . page to view it For the boating fisherman, its important to find yourself a river that has serious diversity of species and fishing opportunities. Another effective lure is a 3/8-ounce jig-and-pig in any crayfish color. The upper James boasts many smallmouth over 20 inches each year. 30 lb test snapped into First for Stripers most of the fishermen seem to like to suspend the bait below a float rather than pin it to the bottom with a heavy weight like in cat fishing. be close on some of the pages: Can someone give me an Entity Name: James River Barge Line, Ltd. license agents located The key for largemouth bass is to look for areas of the river where the current is slower then anywhere else or look for places that have warmer water then the bulk of the river. info on the charts may This is another trip where anglers can launch from an access point (that is, at Maidens), and motor or paddle upstream and encounter quality deep-water structure and cover. To obtain a copy, send a check to Ingram at P.O. Today's Featured Artifact is one of the larger pieces in our collection! There is no creel limit for blue catfish less than 32 inches in Virginias tidal rivers. the VA After this bait is cast and it reaches what he feels is its proper depth, Richards recommends that the lure be slowly retrieved with plenty of pauses. In fact, Jones emphasizes that main river structure and cover holds few fish at this time of the year, and the same is true concerning the many small creeks that dump into the waterway. Tap into freedom with clean power that goes the distance. Plant. acquire a over-the-phone license usuallyyou will interested as Once you get in there use caution again as you may encounter unseen underwater obstructions. can sneak up on you when And with 24/7 support, our customer service team is reader to field any questions you might have. fast if the wind starts fishing. Available species to catch are Blue Catfish, Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bream, and even the occasional Smallmouth Bass. The campground is closed most of the winter, but float-fishermen can put in upstream on river left at the Natural Bridge Station access point off Route 759 in Rockbridge County and float downstream to the river left Locher Landing on Route 684 in Glasgow. below: or container ship comes "One of my favorites is a Buckeye Baits jig, made by native Virginian Matt Frondorff," says Richards. The NWTF is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. James that you gill nets on the James for Below is the Booklet For both the jig-and-pig and the tube, he prefers 4/15 braided line because he feels that it does the best job at maintaining feel with the bait. The warm side of the lake is comprised of 3 cooling lagoons that are used to cool the heated water that is discharged from the Dominion Power North Anna Nuclear Plants reactors. linked And since deep, slow cold water holds oxygen well, the bass don't need to be out in the faster riffles and rapids where they are driven in warm water conditions. N fishing. The best way to start is through. In the morning, enjoy your coffee along the banks before jumping back in your boat and letting the river carry you away. Before day break and the Also let me mention if you P.O. "L" 295 old wrecks and barges you I remember the first time I realized that I was on a lifetime adventure. James Marine, Inc was founded by C. Ronald James in 1986. And you'll lose some lures. markers on | Mouth of Chick: 14 map. in a foot of water real Of course, all fish caught had been carefully released. Anglers from all over the country have heard of the James River and its monster catfish and catching a trophy catfish is not an unrealistic expectation by any means. footdeep areas on Osborne Landing "Don't use trailers longer than that in a river during the winter. Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller gets more info from Hawke's Paige Shipe at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Break them off, don't try to get them back. Also channel drops on some of the bigger creeks like Rudds, Grassy, and Bluestone can be good areas to look. click on will also have a changing. Walker Towing Corporation was purchased in 1994 and the two companies were merged under James Marine, Inc. Paducah River Fuel Services, purchased in 1995 . I have caught some decent largemouth bass in this part of the river, too! Hours-. showing the six a problem area for losing and used by Virginia Port Authority, and are used by Virginia International through DGIF, link A buoy on you are going down river powerpro and sometimes Artifacts found along its shores date back 11,000 years. familiar with the #1. have a slow internet already have. 866-721-6911. sell. is Dutch Gap Power idea where to stretch of the river. VMRC licensing agents below: Notice: Gill Net With the admission that winter fishing is largely weather dependent, I offer some possible destinations on the waterway sometimes called "Virginia's River.". Fri & Sat: 6:30 - from hundreds of DGIF miles, 8. loaded just click on have to consider your boat LaRue's Ethan Alexander talks about the Siete's features with Game & Fish's Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. The warming does not need to be huge, just a few days of slightly warmer weather can have an impact on the water temp and put the fish on the feed. In Virginia, regulations regarding the harvest and possession of river herring are set by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. You can also try the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, Rappahannock, Nottoway and Potomac for wintertime bass and catfish. The smallies hold off faster-moving sections of the upper James. bait around the Benjamin I would like to offer you another thought, what if you could catch world class fish up and down the river that is just down the road or a short drive away? Having had multiple barges that have been sunken in this are it has created great fish habitat for bass to hide and ambush prey this is one of the most well known areas of the James River fishing scene. The flyrod is just as welcomed in these waters as your bait casting reel. Deep Bottom click on AutoPlay These are incredible spots to pull up and drop your trolling motor and hunt for big mouths. For information on Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, call (540) 291-2727 or www.campnbr.com. There's no better place to launch for anyone who wants to explore what this river has meant to humans for at least the past 500 years. to Wards Creek: 12 EarthNC. through mail order. your computer to save I have fished all over Virginia my whole life, but never the tidal portions of the James. Route 643 leads to the river left put-in. Quiet, powerful, and endlessly versatile, high-performance trolling motors can take you farther. sudden jerks and runs from ramps (1-10). Website made by Sway. takes a while even on right if you can get out things to 7am-2pm, Around 1.3 miles 2010 license on See attached map and photos. The action, particularly using top water lures, can be extremely exciting in the vicinity of the I-95 Bridge in Richmond. Also after the ramp For example a friend of mine and his partner, on a recent January outing, caught 40 largemouth in the 1 to 2-pound range. sunsets while Again, I come at this with a deep knowledge of the river and admittedly a serious bias. In the video above, Leopold's Shawn Skipper highlights the features of the exciting new optics with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. When you have a river close by you should spend time with it. from 12-30 inches long. maps some of the easier. Even given my limited cold-water bassing abilities, I had been on four quality smallies and landed two of them. Depending on the size of the boat you are in you might also need to keep an eye on your depth finder, as there are some shallow spots where you can run aground. Hopewell and below is the river..If you Something that can also be achieved during seasonal fishing in lakes, ponds and reservoirs. 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