Since I live really close to the james river, I really want to try smallmouth bass fishing. My friend told me that he goes all the time to pony pasture and wade across the river to fish. I would like to know what locations are the best around Richmond, va and what lure i should use. The only time I go fishing at the james river is when the shad arrives around April. Thanks.

Pony pasture is good but gets a lot of pressure so the fishing can be hit or miss.  I prefer doing floats a little further up river with the scottsville to hardware being one of my favorites.  

 

Take a look at the VA DGIF website and look at all the bat landings and have at it.  If you are bank bound you can wade from pretty much every launch at least a little ways and have some fun catching a few bronzebacks.

 

good luck!!

Bass, the Historic James River is a fantastic smallmouth fishery.

 

The Historic James River is a fantastic way to get into a lot of trouble in the rocks and current.

 

ALWAYS FISH THE HISTORIC JAMES RIVER WITH A BUDDY.

 

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD.

 

ALWAYS WEAR FELT SOLED SHOES OR BOOTS.

 

ALWAYS BE EXTRA CAREFUL IN THE ROCKS.

 

ALWAYS LOOK FOR CREATURES WITHOUT ARMS OR LEGS. THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

 

ALWAYS PORAGE AROUND THE DAMS. DO NOT TRY TO CROSS OVER THEM.

 

DO NOT GO INTO THE RIVER IF YOU AND YOUR BUDDY CANNOT SWIM.

 

Now, with that said, you can enjoy some outstanding smallmouth fishing in the rocks just west of the Pony Pasture or up river from Watkins Landing. However you need a boat for up river from Watkins. If you have a canoe or kayak you can put in under the Huguenot Road bridge and paddle to and from Bosher's Dam. Super fishing in this area.

 

Or you can go down river towards the Pony Pasture from Huguenot Bridge as that is one of the best fisheries in the state.

 

Just be sure you have made plans on how to get back to the launch site from down river. It is a very long walk.

 

Light tackle and one-inch grubs for starters in the rocks then you can try your luck with small jigs and pigs and tubes.

 

Tie all tackle bags to your belt with a rope.

 

You may want to continue to fish the local ponds until you get your own boat and your parents will allow you to take it on the Historic James River or other rivers in the state.