James River 4/11

[Sam]

I put in at McCord Bend today about 1 p.m., went downstream to Asher Cane Bottom, then fished up to Blunk Hole and back down to McCord Bend. NO white bass, no crappie.

Before the cold spell the water there was 63 degrees, now it's 53. The water is super-clear and a little low. I caught and released three 12" smallmouths and one black perch, total.

Now I wonder if the white bass and crappie spawn is going to resume when the water warms again, or if it's over. When conditions are wrong, fish can re-absorb their eggs and the spawn sometimes just never happens. I don't know if they're going to come back this year or not.

It's not happening right now, that's for sure.

[Phil Lilley]

I don't think so. Consider the date. April 11. It's still early. Get a good rain, water colors up and gets warm and they'll be back in the mood. Some may will absorb their eggs but many will still lay them and so thru the spawn.

That's my guess.

[Seth]

Well I hate to hear that you didn't catch any whites or crappie. We are planning on coming down friday and staying Saturday to snag and fish for crappies/whites. Looks like it's going to be a waisted trip from the way it sounds....

[Bill Babler]

Phil, maby right, but I cannot tell you how many times we have fantastic summer time fishing for those white after these kind of springs.

Huge sows full of bloody eggs off main lake flats and points. May, June and July.

I think the whites more than any other fish will just flat give it up. I do agree with Phil, in the fact that it is not over, way to early.

If we can get Tightline to respond, I bet he has caught them into Late April at Powersite. or at least up the White river away.

Bass fishing on main lake Table Rock is beyond belief.

Spoke to some guys today in the Shell Knob area that were swimming a 5 inch grub for Bass and catching unbelieveable Crappie.

It's early, go get em.