Smallmouth bass like to keep it cool, being more active (and hungry) in spring and fall. This body of water covers just over 6,000 acres of surface area and has a surface elevation of 1,200 feet. Lake james nc fishing reports map contents lake chatuge north carolina crie fishing forecast everest textile is the high functionalLake James Fishing Smallmouth BNorth Carolina Crie Fishing Forecast 2018New Report Raises Concerns For Lake James News McdowellnewsNorth Carolina B Forecast 2019Lake Norman Fishing Forecast July 2018 With GusLake Norman Fishing … In the clear water, the smallmouth can see you from a long way. Smallmouth, largemouth too for that matter, find this approach hard to resist. “The first week in May is best for Lake James smallmouth on the surface,” he said. Even smaller ones may work. Would love some tips this time of year for catching smallmouth on Lake James. Lake James fishing in October. Take a small scissors or knife and cut a slit to let the tube release the hook and allow the tube to straighten. Push the eye of the leadhead through the plastic and tie the line directly to the eye. “I make long casts, stay back away from the bank. The heavy forest absorbs rainwater and helps maintain a high level of water clarity and cool temperatures in the reservoir — ideal for smallmouth bass. If you think you’d like to catch some pre-spawn smallmouth this spring, Lake James would be a great place to give them a try. Rocky points surrendered several Lake James smallmouth. Smallmouth Bass fishing on Lake James is some of the best in the state. And, as you will see, it makes a difference. Lake James is the lowest elevation lake in the Catawba chain that has good fishing for smallmouth bass. Below the Linville Dam water flows through the Duke Power powerhouse, and the Catawba River resumes its trip to the ocean. Dynamite. Those cooler nights triggers the bass into feeding heavily on the forage to fatten up for winter. Since I fished it while at north Alabama a number of years ago, my favorite smallmouth crankbait has been the Fat Free Fingerling. And in the regular cycle of boom-and-bust, the white bass population at Lake James is experiencing a boom. The WNC Muskie Club has tried for years to have the NC Wildlife stock muskies into Lakes James and Rhodhiss. LAKE JAMES Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge. The lake as a reputation of being a tough lake with clear deep water. Water temp was 62. Lots of folks make tubes, and anglers use many varieties with success. Lake James is quite clear, Morgan said, compared to most southern reservoirs and that water clarity affected how an angler needs to fish. On a good day, expect to catch 15 or 20 Lake James smallmouth. If one could name a fish that swims in Lake James and is more beloved than the walleye, it would be the smallmouth bass. On this weeks edition we’ll be live bait fishing on Lake James for the sporty smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass belong in the same family as largemouth and white bass – known collectively as the “black bass.” Here in Lake James, all three species co-exist and all three can be caught on any given fishing trip, but for many veteran Lake James fishermen, smallmouths are special. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)? Lake James is one of the most picturesque lakes in the Southeast and is known for it’s big smallmouth and largemouth bass. Goodman launched his boat at the Canal Bridge N.C. Wildlife Resources Access Area. At the west, less than a mile southwest of N.C. 126, a dam backs up the Catawba River. I now use 6- or 8-pound test on spinning gear for most of my Lake James fishing. Historically, largemouth bass dominated the Catawba River arm of Lake James and smallmouth at the Linville River arm. “I like to keep the jig and plastic moving along, sort of slow usually, but if the smallmouth don’t grab it pretty soon, I speed it up or let it drop all the way to the bottom before lifting,” Goodman said. Gotta love winter fishing in Western NC! Lake fish feed primarily on shad and other small fish, as well as crayfish and the occasional frog or salamander. The fish have a dominant bronzy to brownish-green color with dark vertical bars running down the length of the body. Be prepared to cast hair jigs, soft plastics, Texas rig creature baits and crankbaits for trophy smallmouth bass. In addition to the smallmouth bass in Lake James, it also contains a healthy population of largemouth bass. “The best color for the Fluke or Senko is green pumpkin,” he said. On this episode we are headed tom Lake James in North Carolina for some deep water Smallmouth … You will learn some techniques from Carolina Outdoors members on catching smallmouth in … Some anglers also target the walleyes at Lake James. “That’s the time for the surface bite,” he said. However, 4- and 5-pound smallmouths are good prospects. Happy angling! Reddish eyes also are a distinguishing feature for separating smallies from largemouth and white bass. Half day trips start around 8am and end around noon. His biggest Lake James largemouth tipped the scales at 9 pounds, 14 ounces (caught sight fishing in the springtime). I wish I knew how many smallmouth I’ve caught with Jitterbugs — Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Lake James. My favorite colors are white/red head and yellow coach dog. More than 100 years ago, Dr. James Henshall claimed the smallmouth bass “inch for inch and pound for pound, the gamest fish that swims.” Testing that hypothesis has been among the principal activities of many angling lives. And it still works great. With easy access from Marion, Morganton and Interstate 40, the Black Bear access ramp has ample parking and six boat ramps to make accessing the lake both convenient and efficient. Lake James’ largemouth and smallmouth bass cohabitate with walleye, but they rarely share the same water. But in the last few years the two species seem to have become more evenly distributed. With a light wire hook, the small chunk of plastic sinks slowly. Located about 90 miles west of Charlotte, Lake Lure is a 720 acre large lake situated in a town of the same name. Morgan recommended poppers or some sort of walk-the-dog lure. He used the Beavertail and I had my favorite tube. They refuse to consider this in a body of water that seems to have natural reproduction. The lake is a popular vacation spot for North Carolina residents and beyond, and boasts plenty of activities. “Dad, this looks like some of the lakes we fished in Canada,” my son said during a trip to Lake James Whether to develop the substantial private holdings around Lake James, and if so, how, remains under vigorous debate. Not just at Lake James, but in a variety of smallmouth waters, tubes have been a most productive lure for me. Slide a ¼-ounce lead-head into the tube, with the dark side up, if the tube is two-toned. If you’re looking for a hard-fighting, clear-water-loving, handsome sportfish that lives in one of the most scenic reservoirs in the state, you’ve come to the right place. Because they are native to inland areas across New England and west of the Appalachians, smallmouth bass are only able to exist in coolwater rivers and reservoirs here in North Carolina. Location and Fishing Information: Lake James is located in Burke and McDowell Counties in North Carolina. Lake James Deep Water Smallmouth, Tips for Catching Deep Water Smallmouth Bass On this episode we are headed tom Lake James in North Carolina for some deep water Smallmouth Bass action. Here, you will have a chance at a trophy Smallmouth anytime you fish. Launch: Lemmons Branch Boat Launch. Fishing at Lake James, North Carolina. Further east is a dam across the Linville River. Any color works, but my most productive shades have been citrus shad or Tennessee shad. “I lived in Texas and fished there,” Morgan said. This tiny crankbait has worked for smallmouth bass for me from Alabama to Ontario, Tennessee to North Carolina, including Lake James. You must be a Lake James or Shadow Lake property owner or relative to qualify. 'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); The best topwater bite for smallmouths at Lake James occurs just after daylight. Without the contributions by people just like you Friends of Lake James State Park would not exist. smallmouth bass. We fished a couple of clay banks with laydowns and a long, rip-rap bank. Colt Bass Fishing is a Fishing Guide Service fishing on Lake Hickory NC, fishing on Lake Norman NC, fishing on Lake Rhodhiss NC, and fishing on Lake James NC. james river smallmouth fishing report by december 30, 2020 december 30, 2020 Unlike most impoundments, Lake James is created by three dams. Smallmouths are so named for their relatively short upper jaw compared to other bass. Generally speaking, smallmouth bass conduct spawning activities in deeper water than largemouth. Individual fish can be darker or lighter in tone, but the barring is always present. And they attract plenty of pre-spawn smallmouth. While Morgan said smallmouth bass reside in every nook and cranny of Lake James, “In spring I pretty much stay on the Linville River side of the lake,” he said. 3 reviews Get water depth of Lake James … We caught some very nice smallmouth bass, averaging 2 pounds each. When that happens, set the hook and hang on. “Usually we get more largemouth on the Catawba River side, but last spring I caught largemouth way up past my house on the Linville River side,” he said. Morgan said some smallmouth anglers at Lake James throw small crankbaits during spring. If anglers haven’t had a dandy smallmouth strike a surface lure, they’re missing a bet. The most productive colors were green pumpkin or dark watermelon. Cast it out and crank it back. He suggested a Norman Baby N. Morgan also fishes Bandit crankbaits. “There are some rocky shoals out in the middle of the lake, away from the bank. I didn't see any beds in the area. The fish weighed 10 pounds, 2 ounces. As the sun hits the water, Morgan advised switching to a Fluke or Senko, fished weightless. It is named fortobacco tycoon and benefactor of Duke University, James Buchanan Duke. We fished the same sort of spots Morgan suggested. Bouncing the crankbait off the cobble rocks in 8- or 9-feet of water should attract some dandy Lake James smallmouth. You lose contact with the lure as a fish gently picks it up. The lake also has largemouth bass. Favorite smallmouth surface lures during the last couple of years have been the Pop-N Image Jr. or Super Spook Jr. Although neither Morgan nor Goodman mentioned spinnerbaits, they’re excellent smallmouth lures. Largemouth Bass fishing on Lake James is good also. Lake James Deep Water Smallmouth, Tips for Catching Deep Water Smallmouth Bass 11/11/2020 Lake James Deep Water Smallmouth, Tips for Catching Deep Water Smallmouth Bass. “I throw those lures around laydowns on the main lake or back in coves.” These are so-called finesse approaches. If you think you’d like to catch some pre-spawn smallmouth this spring, Lake James would be … The early morning and late afternoon hours during April through October are the best times to angle for this tackle-buster and its smallmouth relative. Most of the smallmouth Goodman and I caught came from 5-feet of water or less. Most people with a similar bronzeback bent are never satisfied with their collected data — which is a plausible excuse to continue to seek better information at places such as Lake James. The most popular species caught here are Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, and Channel catfish 411 catches are logged on Fishbrain. Correll's largest Lake James smallmouth weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces (caught on a Bass Craft jig), but his clients have boated fish in the 7 1/2- to 8-pound range. Considering the clarity of Lake James, pre-spawn smallmouth may be deeper than one expects. While we fished some at the Catawba River arm of Lake James, most of the day we were at the Linville River arm, rarely more than a mile from the landing. Try redear sunfish or threadfin shad with the Pop-N Image Jr. and red head/white body, black shiner and blue shore shad with the Super Spook Jr. The length and weight of each fish are required to avoid ties. Lake James Smallmouth Fishing. Fishing on Lake Lure is a highlight of a trip for many visitors, and a popular pastime for many locals. Folks trying to catch smallmouths are well off mimicking the techniques they use on largemouths, with perhaps a stronger focus on fishing around exposed points sticking out into the lake, especially those with rocky bottoms or fallen trees. My favorite smallmouth spinnerbait is the Classic Twin Spin from Mann’s. A 2-pounder should be run of the mill. Your help is needed! Revered across the country for their legendary aggression and fighting abilities, the smallmouth bass is not native to North Carolina, but Tarheel anglers are passionate in their pursuit of the mighty “bronzeback.”. Mike Goodman lives at Nebo, and when he’s not fishing the national bass tournament circuits, he’s at Lake James. Generally speaking, ¼-ounce spinnerbaits are the largest used to good advantage for smallmouth. The Beavertail is a plastic grub-like ring worm variant with a flat, split tail. Big … It is home to incredible fishing, boating and camping. Bass fishing on Lake James will begin to pick back up after a slow month in September. 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