Stopped by the Bennetts Creek Public Boat Ramp yesterday to get a fishing report. Folks were catching decent sized croakers and catfish right off the dock. I always associated catfish with freshwater and croakers with saltwater. Regardless, those folks were going to eat well last night.

I caught a bunch of blue cats over the weekend in the James... they come down towards the mouth of the river this time of year

they taste pretty damn good in my opinion

What are you catching the cats on?

lots of people catching cats and croaks of the rocks out at Tidewater Community College. Almost as enjoyable as going to a pier (especially 'cause it's free)

catfish bite really well on menhaden.... just because it smells so bad.

I use a fish finder rig but plenty of people catch them on regular ol' bottom rigs. The reason I use the slider is so you can let them pull on the bait a little before you set the hook. That way they don't feel as much resistance.

Is Bennetts Creek the landing on the left as you go across the James River Bridge? Beside the James River Pier, ( I think that is the name of the pier, concrete, the old bridge).... I get some of these areas mixed up cause I am from N.C. Not that me being from N.C. has anything to do with my ignorance ( LOL ).. oh well....

Thanks in advance..

The boat ramp beside the James River Bridge is Huntington Park.

Thanks Hang Time...

The Bennetts Creek Ramp I am talking about is at Bennetts Creek Park. Travelling on Rt. 17 towards the JRB turn left on Shoulders Hill Rd. and right on Bennetts Creek Park Rd. Go all the way to the end and enter the park. They have a nice ramp, plenty of parking and a fishing pier, all free. From there, you have access to the Nansemond River, JRB, and MMBT.

fishist how deep is the river there and which way do you go when launching to go towards mmbt? thanks in advance.
Tom

Tom,
I launch my 23 WA there quite a bit. You have to be careful at low tide as some areas are only 3-4' deep. I've seen it go down to 2'. Also, at dead low, the ramp can be a little tricky as there is no marker saying where the end of the ramp is and I have seen people back their tires off the back of the ramp.

After launching, head north or to your right as you face the water. Stay within the channel markers or you will run into trouble. As you get to where the creek opens into the Nansemond, I find it's better to open her up and get on plane as the channel is prone to getting shallow.

Also, when it says no wake zone, make sure you obey it as I have seen it enforced on more than one occasion.

Thanks Esesit, that ramp is alot closer to my house than Huntington Park. I have a 17ft CC Trophy. I can fish along the BC too. I thinking of going out Sunday a.m. U?
Tom

Croaker at Bennett's Creek yesterday were good. I caught eleven, all over a pound. They were taking squid and shrimp using bottom rigs. The pier, more of a dock really, is reasonable and most of the people there are friendly enough though I must say sometimes others cast their line at an angle to get you to stay away. So I went looking for a jon boat today, but I'll save my dumb boating questions for the chesapeake bay forum.