Fishing report

JAMES/APPOMATTOX/

CHICKAHOMINY RIVERS

Lonnie from Castaway (804 706-9100) reports the following catch: Roger Shifflett (Page Court) 53-pound, 8-ounce blue cat.

Capt. Art Conway of Conway's River Rat Guide Service (804 746-2475) out of Ed Allen's Boats and Bait reports Chickahominy Lake midday water temperatures were in the mid-40s in the lake. The lake level was about a foot above the top of the dam. The water was dark, but not cloudy or muddy. Crappie were scattered over the mid-depth channels and were hitting on 1- and 2-inch curly tail grubs, tubes, blade baits and live minnows.

Mike at Pat's Sporting Goods (804 748-4165) reports catfish have started to bite again after the water level dropped in the river, with cut alewife and live eels the bait of choice. Striper are biting at Bay Bridge Tunnel trolling with live eels.

Jill O'Brien-Jones at Eagles Landing (804 966-9094) reports the water level is four inches over normal and fairly clear with temperatures in the mid-40s.

Tournament results from Dec. 11 winter bass series: 1. Mike Yeatts (Richmond)-Ed Clement (Henrico) 5 fish, 10.96 pounds; 2. Jay Griffin (Richmond) 5, 9.89. Big fish: Yeatts-Clement, 3.80.

Tournament results from Dec. 18 winter bass series: 1. Mike Yeatts (Richmond)-Ed Clement (Midlothian) 5 fish, 12.56 pounds; 2. Paul Brock (Mechanicsville)-Robert Brock (Aylett) 4, 8.82. Big fish: Clement, 4.31.

Capt. Mike Ostrander of James River Fishing School (804 938-2350) reports water temperatures are pushing the fish a little deeper, but you can still find them in their usual haunts along channel ledges of the main river channel.

PAMUNKEY MINI-SERIES SCHEDULE

March 17, Gaston-Pea Hill Landing, 7 a.m.-3; March 25, Pamunkey-Williams Landing 7-3; April 14, Buggs Island 7-3; April 29, James River-Hopewell Landing 6-noon; May 6, Pamunkey-Williams Landing 6-noon; May 20, Pamunkey-Williams Landing 6-noon; June 10, Pamunkey-Williams Landing 6-noon; June 23, Lake Anna 6-1; July 22, Mataponi-Walkerton Landing 6-noon; Aug. 5, Chickahominy River-Route-5 6-noon; Aug. 12, Pamunkey-Williams Landing 6-noon.

Schedule is tentative. Entry fee is $40 per team/boat.

CHESAPEAKE BAY/

OUTER BANKS

Dr. Julie Ball reports the best of the striped bass season is happening now all over the lower bay. As long as water temperatures hold, so will the fish.

The coastal rockfish activity has exploded in the lower bay. Trollers are quickly taking limits of nice fish using the old standard spreads of Mojos, umbrella rigs, tandem rigs and spoons.

The Elizabeth River is the spot for speckled trout and finding plenty of nice fish spanning from 2 to 8 pounds. Casting jigs, live bait fishing, and trolling are all productive methods.

Plenty of nice seabass still are biting at the Triangle Wrecks and deeper-water structures.

Dr. Ken Neill III of the Peninsula Salt Water Sport Fisherman's Association reports tilefish action is good around the 50-fathom curve.

Bluefin tuna have arrived off of Virginia's coast. Depending on the day, they are coming all the way into the beach or you may have to run out to areas such as the Triangle Wrecks, Hot Dog and SE Lumps.

Tautog action is good on structures in the bay and on the coastal wrecks.

ELSEWHERE

C.C. McCotter of McCotter's Lake Anna Guide Service (540 894-3540) reports excellent fishing after the recent rain and water temperatures are into the upper 40s and 50s. This has created ideal conditions for bass, striper and crappie fishing.

Some largemouth bass still are holding in the midlake region, while others have gone deep. You can target the bass with suspending jerkbaits and swimbaits. The deep fish should be willing to bite a Toothache Spoon or Crazy Blade.

Excellent fishing for striped bass began once the water cooled and cleared. Hot zones are from Stubbs Bridge and the Holladay Mill Bridge down to The Splits.

Crappie still are biting, especially in the midlake region.

Check the first two bridges and the 208 bridge pilings using small jigs or slip bobbers and minnows. Hot zones for this type of fishing are from the Holladay Mill Bridge up to the Harris Bridge and often at the mouth of midlake creeks.

Billy Fellin