Advice Mr Babler Or Anyone?

[Ootsey]

heading out in the morning just wondering any advice on what to do? will be fishing mouth of white river and in the james river up to hideaway.

thanks

[rps]

Bill Babler has posted very good information in the last few days. Several others, as well, including snakem and Fishinbluedog. I found small fish on topwater this morning between 5:30 and 6:30. I have also heard (did not see it, did not do it) there is beginning to be a bit of an evening shallow bite. Day time lures are jig, tube, and grub. Good luck.

[techo]

Of course you have to know that RPS always catches a few on topwater. Might be the best Topwater fisherman on the Rock!

[glennL]

Went out at 530am. So I can share what didn't work.

Lots of fish feeding on the top surface, but couldn't get too many bites and the ones we had didn't stay on the line long. Fished a red fin up near brush on long point-nada. Fished grub-nada.

Caught a few on white/yellow spinner baits. Saw huge balls of shad, bigger than a basketball. Saw this last year too. The sm bass appeared to be hitting small bugs on the top of water, until about 830am. But I was too stubborn to get off the spinner. Everything seamed to shut down at 830am. Water was very still, with zero wind. So tomorrow, I will be trying the ledge or steep bluffs to see if that works.

[rps]

techo - you are too kind.

If I fished a tournament with the members of this forum, especially if it were held down lake, I know I would be embarrassed. I have not mastered jerk bait fishing and I can't drop shot to save my life. I can drag a jig or C rig, but I get bored easy. I am no longer able to chuck and grind all day and I don't even own the rods and reels to pitch or flip.

What successes I have come from the fact I have fished my favorite baits, including topwaters, in the same areas for several years, and from the fact I fish more often and earlier than most people.

BTW, 2008 was not a great topwater year and I hope to learn more in this year's high water episode.