Hey, I'm headed down to VA to fish the "chick" river next week and was wondering what I should be looking for to locate some decent bass  this time of year. I'm an  experienced bass guy so throw any ideas at me. Also is going out to the James worth it? I never been there and would appreciate and help to make my week a little more fishy.

I would definitely fish the James as well

Throw a 1/4 ounce jig and punch it throw pads and structure on the chick. 

And also have been tearing them up on swim baits shad color

Spinner baits along weed lines punching mats as stated above top water buzzbaits and Spiro frogs seem to produce a weightless senko or swim fished in the pockets of hydrilla let us know how you do you can also Sharkey head in less grassy areas and I've found a drop shot with about a 12" leader to work great to keep my bait up out of the grass