Sunday 8/5 Up From Kerr Access

[Jack Jones]

I took the canoe out Sunday mid-day since the weather had gotten cooler and I could finally get away. I went to Kerr because I figured there would be more water than if I'd put in at Hootentown. That river is mighty low. I ended up walking up from the Kerr Access with the canoe for a good ways before it was deep enough to paddle without scraping gravel.

I know the heat of the day is a bad time to try catching anything, and that bore itself out with my limited success. I was there from about 2:00 until 4:30 and thankfully it wasn't horrifically hot. I fished a 4" finesse worm and came up with a few dinky smallmouth and one good size 15" smallie. Nothing else.

I did see some good size carp there. It appeared that they were schooling. Or was I maybe seeing a different species, maybe drum? Anyone have any experience in pulling those out of the James? If so, what lures/bait typically entice them so I can have some backup for when the bass are ignoring me?

[BATCAB27]

Never caught a drum in the James. That's not to say they aren't in there. I'd say they are carp or gar. But I'm sure you'd know if they were gar. Assuming they are carp, I have no idea how to catch one. I actually caught one down by blunks a couple months ago on a rebel craw. But I'm pretty sure it was dumb luck. It was fun though, fought like crazy on an ultralight. Got it up to the bank 3 times and it would take off back out into the river. Had a rookie with me that wouldn't touch it so the next time I got it to the bank I gave him my rod and ran out and grabbed it. 4.5 to 5 footer. Wasn't gna lose a lure to a carp. Anyway, if I saw a bunch of them schooling I'd say your best bet would be a big ole treble hook with some weight and if you hook into one, hang on!