KayakJimW

Looking for info from folks who've been out there recently, specifically Scottsville to Watkins landing floats: I've done most of these over the years, but not since 2012-13. I remember most of these trips being productive, with plenty of nice (16-19") fish caught. Some days totaling 40-50+ fish caught, tons of 8-12"ers with the occasional biggun in there. The river seemed full of life, fish everywhere: gar, carp, cats, sunfish and smallies I went out again recently and it looks like the river isn't as lively. Paddled Cartersville to West View. The water was nice and clear, but fish nowhere to be seen except the occasional ball of fry or tiny baitfish along the banks. We caught three 6-7 inch smallies and a sunfish between two people ALL DAY. I'm really hoping this was just an off day and not how it is out there these days. Would appreciate hearing any reports good or bad, from these water over the last year or two. Thanks!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Now I just need to catch something photo-worthy...? Last two trips were dinkfests

Check out Echo Lake. You won't catch a trophy, but there's plenty of hungry 14-16" bass in there. Try deadsticking a 4" senko or slow-rolling a small square bill (or 100 series sized) crankbait. Keep in mind the dog days of summer are usually tough fishing, and early morning or evening bites are more likely. https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/echo-lake/ https://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/2017_Echo_Lake_Popular_Report.pdf

Good morning guys and gals, figured I'd stop lurking and start participating on this fine forum. I started fishing at a young age and after a several year hiatus I'm back at it, with gusto. In 2013 my son was born and my kayaks and fishing gear went into hibernation, averaging less than an outing per year until last year. Now I have a new fishing buddy, and I value time on the water more than ever. Favorite places to fish would be Briery Creek Res. Sandy River Res. and the middle James River from Scottsville down to Robious landing. For a little background: I was lucky to have a dad that took me fishing and we spent a lot of time on our 17' Alumacraft, mostly around the Appomattox River, Swift Creek, Lake Chesdin and a few other spots down our way. In the early 2000's I was introduced to the trophy fisheries around Farmville, and after that, the glorious fighting Bronzebacks of the non-tidal western part of the James River. After falling in love with fishing skinny waters, I discovered kayaks as way of getting around and 20ish years later it's still my favorite way to fish. Back then, most folks hadn't heard of kayak fishing and it was all DIY which really appealed to me. Finding the Fishyaker forum by John Oast out of Norge, VA and the 7 or 8 regulars on there helped fuel my fire tremendously. One guy was Luther Ciphers, who went on to create YakAttack. I remember when he made the first generation visipole and was lucky enough to test one of the first in that line. Luther started having get-togethers off rt. 307 the year kayak bassing basically exploded. The best way to get better at something is spend time with people who are better at it than you are, and hanging with these guys really upped my game. Same reason why I am here today: to gain the knowledge you fine folks are willing to share and hopefully help a few out along the way. I recognize a name or two from the old KBF forum on here, that's pretty cool. I went by JimW on fishyaker & kbf, the "kayak" was implied on those forums haha... Anyways enough about all that, Tight Lines everybody and lookin forward to talking bass