• James River
  • 4/2 - 7:15AM - 7:45PM
  • 4/3 - 7:00AM - 7:15PM
  • Water temperature - 58-61 degrees 
  • Target species - Blue Catfish and more  
  • Anglers - Greg, David and John


Headed up to the James River for the last time this year (unless we decide to go in December).  We had a few goals in mind for the trip:
1.  Head in to Richmond and fish for the Hickory Shad and Herring to use for bait. 
2.  Catch a Striper
3.  Catch a Flathead
4.  Catch multiple citation Blue Cats
5.  Catch more fish than any other trip we have been on the James River












































After a nice night of rest and a little early morning intel from a BOC Member staying at the same place as us (thanks again), we headed back up to a spot by the 95 bridge.  Using the Hickory Shad from yesterday, I put a few Stripers in the boat and John had a small Flathead right to the boat before it came off.  







































































-back-
After gathering up some pre trip intel, we decided to put in at Osborne Landing and head the 11 or so miles to downtown.  Upon arriving at the river, we noticed the water was muddy and high and there was a lot of debris floating in the water.  We made our way under the 95 bridge and started trying to catch Hickory Shad and/or Herring.  After a while, we determined that the Herring were not up there and the shad were not in there in great numbers.  We headed downstream and managed to find a nice school of Gizzard Shad.  Caught as many as we would need for two days in one set of the Gill net.  Wish I would have known that prior to losing my 10 foot cast net to the bottom of the river.
We shared our bait with a nice guy we met that was having a little trouble getting bait in his cast net.  We went back up under the bridge and did manage to get several Hickory Shad to add to the cooler.
Off we went to find the catfish.  We fished around the bridge and down a few miles and found the fish not very cooperative.  We did manage several smaller ones up to 14 pounds.  We left the river scratching our heads but looking forward to tomorrow.  Got to the Mexican place and got all racial on the food.....destroying everything in site.
We then moved up to where the Hickory Shad were yesterday and it was slow at first.  As soon as the sun popped out....SHAD ATTACK!!!  Looked like Weldon up in that place.  We filled a cooler quickly and stayed for awhile to catch some for fun and then off we went.  We concentrated on 20-25 feet of water today near structures on the bank.
I managed a nice 32 pounder on the first spot while John was reeling in a 20 pounder.  We must have fished 30 spots today and all the hits came right after we anchored.  We managed several more cats and few more Stripers.  I did lose a giant in the afternoon.  Had to be over 50 pounds since I did not even stop the fish before the line parted. 
Random thoughts: