James River Smallmouth

Sunday, Oct 2, I took a canoe trip down a 3 mile section of the James just below Lynchburg. The smallmouth were biting aggressively. My friend and I each caught at least 10 (lost count), with sizes up to about 15". Most were in the 10" range. I caught one dink that was only a couple inches longer than my 2" lure. I also caught one large ~12" sucker, and my friend caught a 10" largemouth.

The water temperature was 64F, low, and exceptionally clear. The weather was 50-55F, with gusty winds to 20mph and mostly cloudy, with some sunny patches. At times the wind was so strong it blew the canoe upstream and we had to paddle to make forward progress. I was using a Rapala floater in the 05 length, with an orange belly and a green back. My friend was using a baby LMB shallow diving crankbait. I was having such success, I didn't bother tying anything else on.