Crappies On The James

[yaknar]

Seems like the James River Forum been awful quiet. I would have posted last week because I caught my biggest smallmouth this year but the camera went under the water so all I had was a "fish story". After taking it apart and putting it in a bag of rice it was good to go. I kayaked down Saturday and I don't know if it was the weather, cloud cover or river level but I had a great day. I only saw 2 other kayakers on the way down. Topwater was working but it took me a while to find the right lure for my other rod. After trying cankbaits, spinners, craws, it ended up being a 2 in swimbait. I put it on and the party began. I caught a lot of bass, size-small,medium and large, a small cat, goggle eyes, perch,and 3 crappies. I don't measure my bass but i had to measure the crappies, the two big ones were 13 in and 12in. I'm always surprised when I catch one. All were caught and released. The only sad news was one bass took the lure down deep. I didn't even try to get it out, I just cut the line. I don't know about anyone else but it bothers me when a fish I caught might not make it.

[RSBreth]

Several of us that hit the James often have been to busy.

There's more Crappie in the James drainage then most people would think.