Up The James

[mclothier1]

Coming to the Rock tomorrow and staying on the west side of DD point, usually I dont take real long boat trips to go fish, I mostly fish from the dam to mill creek. But I've heard that for this time of year, Up the James is the place I want to be. At any rate I thought I would try fishing some new places.

Im not asking for any specific spots or secret honey holes, but Im wondering what general area would be the best right now? how far up the James do I need to travel?

Also reading the weather reports it appears a strong front is coming in and will cool things off, this is a weak spot for me as I have a hard time catching fish after a front. Any tips you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks for the help!

[denjac]

I have not gone up the James for 3years! Just never get around to pointing the boat that way. Are you going to be there all week? I will be down there Fri thru Mon. Maybe we can hook up Sat and go explore. I will be staying a couple of miles from you.

[focused fishing]

Mc Clothier,

I've been having the most success from Camper's point to above Cape Fair. Camper's is the point just past the big island up stream from point 12 on the west side, the channel swings up against it but it is a very long tapered point. Sharp drop on the channel side pretty flat on the other. Out in 28' - 35' I've been catching drop shot, carolina rig and football jig fish on top of the point and on the drop side. The next point up stream on the east side is very similar and has been hit or miss lately but is usually good this time of year. Further up stream the points at the mouth of Buzzard have been producing some deep crank bait fish, there is a pretty good ledge at the end of the channel swing that has been working when shad are around, if there aren't any shad I've struggled there lately. Further still is Wooley creek on the west side, allot of good secondary points to throw a football jig and rig on, some good docks plus it will get you out of the mid morning / afternoon boat traffic. I haven't been in there for about ten days so I don't have any real fresh intel. If you continue on up the lake really starts to look like a river; swing / bluff on one side and flat point on the other. Most of these flat points have been producing on a football jig and carolina rig from 20' - 30' deep for the past three to four weeks. Look for ledges on the ends of all of the swings if you want to throw a deep crankbait, most of the swings will have a ledge within a few hundred feet of the end of the bluff.

I'm not saying you can't catch 'em closer to Kimberling City, but if you want to head up the James this should get you started.

Good Luck,

EP

[mclothier1]

Denjac,

I am heading that way, will be on the water Wed thru Sat, leaving Sunday. Staying at Lazy Lee's will be driving a Purple/white Glastron fish n ski, Give me a wave if you see me or stop in and say hi. Or yeah I could always use some help locating the fish, especially since Ill probably be by myself this time around.

Eric,

Thanks for the advice, I will give it a shot!

Ok im outta here...

[Stragler]

Focused Fishing: Thanks for the info. With all the garble about reporting accuracy I just realized that a lot of the times we don't interpret correctly what is being said. Like I understand channel swings & bluffs but you lost me at the flat points near the swings. Is that across to the other side in the shallows or near the bluff end it self.

[focused fishing]

Stragler,

Both, in the mid James there are allot of bluffs / swings the end on a flat point, Campers point is a good example. Further up river you will have a bluff / swing on one side and a flat on the other. Usually the bluff will break down as the channel swiches sides of the lake / river and will eventually transition into a flat as well.

Did that make sence or was it clear as mud???

[Stragler]

Focused Fishing: That makes sence based on your description coupled w/looking at the map, thanks...