Float Trip Just in Time

[Cajunangler]

I floated the James yesterday, pre-frontal, and had a good late season trip. Probably caught about 20 smallies with an additional 5-10 ozark bass and one kentucky. Being relativley new to the area I had not floated this late in the year and wanted to see if any good populations of fish stayed in the river. Based on the numbers, at least some do. No SM over 14 inches but I did have several between 12-14 inches that fought well on light tackle. Caught a few on suspending jerk baits but most came on 4 inch soft plastics. Tried spyder jigs but had no takers. Water temps were between 55-57 degrees but I bet that has changed drastically. Caught most of my fish from the yak but I did wear waders and was able to concentrate efforts in a few deeper holes and catch multiple fish in small areas (50-75 yard spots). Unlike today, I was able fish in a tee shirt with no jacket. The front hit 30 minutes after I left the water.

Had a 12 incher hooked up on the jerk bait and two other "larger" smallies were doing the patented swarm maneuver around him. Tried for an additional hour in the same area but could not get them to take a bait. No fish working in the runs, only in slack water with depths between 4-8 feet. I know this won't offer a lot of help this year but it might help anyone who is reluctant to try a late fall trip down the road.

[Fish Bork]

Thanks for the report. When the water gets cold the smallies head to their deep pools and stay there for the winter.