Whites On The Upper James

[MSUFisherBear]

I have a lot of luck on burning cranks believe it or not. Specifically lipless with a rattle. I've caught 'em on all sorts of different colors before, so it's tough to pick just one. I will say that it's not always a sure deal to catch them, but when those fiesty males hit one, it feels like you just hooked up with a monster. When they are biting, it's a really quick way to get a good arm workout in. I've also had luck on crappie sized spinnerbaits, tail spinners, and shad-rap style baits worked in a slash-pause-slash pattern.

[exiledguide]

Usually the 1st week of April is the best time to hit the Blunks hole and Taylor shoals area. Less crowds early in the morning (3 am). I have have fished the place all to myself during violent thunderstorms. Something about lightning cracking everywhere and straight line winds usually runs people off. Another good trick is to get down there about 4 pm and start grilling chicken wings, ribs and hamburgers. That usually clears out a few spots from the fellas that have been at it all day. Sends em home hungry.

Although there are sporadic whites and crappie around Delaware Town, they are pretty non-existent and not even worth trying to catch in that area. Like was already said, to go down around the Galena area of the James river will be productive when they're there. If you're interested in going that far, I'm sure someone on here will give you detailed instructions on how to drive down there. But just be warned. You will be fishing with lots of other people, because when they're biting, everybody will be there.

Everybody and their brother..........and their cousins

[exiledguide]

I have to warn him. I forgot to mention the Mosquitos have AIDS along the James.

.............and the COGARS

[stuartsx5]

Thanks guys. I think I am on information overload. I am a research kind of guy then I get to much info and I can't make a decision. My choices at this point are Blunks, Shadow Rock or Roach on Lake of the Ozarks. Guess I will let the weather be my guide. Thanks again for the info and I will try to post by Wednesday on my decision and a report on what the results are.

[stuartsx5]

Ok. Went down to Forsyth this afternoon after Easter dinner. Started fishing around 4:45 and fished till around 7 at Shadow Rock. We caught five whites. One male and 4 females. We caught them all on either yellow grub or watermelon and yellow grub. Trying to post pics but can't figure out how (if someone could direct me on this it would be great). Wasn't as productive as I would have liked but at least we caught some. Only seen one other person catch a fish so I feel like we did OK. Thinking about going to Galena area tomorrow.

[Terrierman]

Classic baits for whites in my mind are 1/4 oz white rooster tail vibrax with chrome blade and shad rap.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Stuart if you fished only at Shadow Rock it's hard to say if you were in the best area. SR can be iffy in my experience, much more so than some other areas close by.

[stuartsx5]

Yesterday we were short on time. We didn't leave Marshfield until 3 so I went where I knew I wouldn't get lost. We went to Blunks in Galena today and we only caught two. They were there and some of the guys that had been there all day had some nice stringers but no limits. We could get them to bite but when you set the hook they would open up and let go. Everyone seemed to be having the same issue. You could see em take the jig and you could even turn em when you tried to set the hook but they just wouldn't be caught today. We went back over to SR and didn't catch anything. I need to get to know the other areas over there round Forsyth. If the weather cooperates I might try to catch some crappie at LOZ next week.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'll send you a PM in the morning.

[dixie_devil86]

anybody had any luck at blunks this week? planing on taking the kayak and wife out tomorrow.