Bank fishing

[Jamie]

Not really new to fishing but been out of it for awhile. Looking to chase some whites on the James this spring and was wondering if people have much luck from the bank? If so would you mind giving a general area? Not looking for someones honeyhole but a little help is appreciated. Never fished the James. Thanks.

 

Jamie

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Blunks road out of Galena is a big spot for bank fishing whites.  It is kinda a madhouse around there when it gets good though

[Jamie]

Thanks for the quick reply. Would a person be ok with a spinning reel or do the fly fisherman do better? Been thinking about picking up a fly rod but have plenty spinning gear. 

[Flysmallie]

Most are going to be using spinning gear and you should be able to catch what you want on it. But fly rods are fun and sometimes work a little better. 

[Jamie]

Sounds like a good excuse/reason to buy a fly rod. I would like to try it sometime. What seems to work down there? Marabou jigs? Bucktail jigs? Swimming minnows? All the above? Guess it doesnt matter I'll take them all! Thanks guys!

 

Jamie

[Flysmallie]

Always hear a lot about Swimming Minnows. I know rooster tails work. Spinning gear I like a small jerk bait. When they are hungry they will eat whatever. 

[Terrierman]

Take your waders and go when the sun is going down, go down to the shoal.

[MoCarp]

stockton is another less crowed option for whites, though they tend to run smaller, elk river is another good spot that can be waded from the dam down stream to grand, if they get picky,  wild caught minnows fished on bottom can trigger the bigger sows when they are stubborn 

[Flysmallie]

2 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

go down to the shoal.

It's a bit of a walk but it's a good spot. You will know that you have arrived when you can't tell if you are still at the river or have stumbled into a biker bar. 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

1 hour ago, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

Blunks road out of Galena is a big spot for bank fishing whites.  It is kinda a madhouse around there when it gets good though

spinning rod would be fine.  Last time i was up there, there were a ton of people and the only 3 guys catching any were fly fishing. Plenty of room to fly fish especially if you wade