Had a couple days of trips on the shore and after fishing our usual holes that produce, usually! I have to say that we were not impressed with what was coming over the side...short flounder and small croakers that I just cant throw in the fish box. Water quality was very poor in spots..like chocolate milk. All I can say is that we were in great company with the father daughter team from out in western VA.Not much of a report but hey, somebody has to keep the eastern shore forum going. Haha. Dale

Good to hear from the shore side and Two Keys, Dale! I had hoped to fish that side and post a few back around the 4th but had a family medical emergency that took me back home before I even got the boat in the water. Sorry to hear the flatties aren't co-operating. Clean water sure does make things better- I haven't seen a lot of it this season. I drive across the bay, everything looks great and the wind changes and mucks things up before we get going good. Keep the ES reports going and I will contribute if I can get back over there. Next trip for now is the bluewater classic- We are fishing inshore and will give the flatties our undivided attention and let the cobe fishermen go for the weight. See ya on the water and catchem up!

Kevin

Hello all,

Im new to this site, and new to the James River area. Originally from MA, I knew what to catch, where, when, and how - So I did ok. Now that I live in VA, I really have no clue.... any advise would be greatly appreciated.

I just got a nice little 19' boat about a month ago and now Im on the hunt for some decent spots to fish / and what Im fishing for. ( the seasons are a little different from what Im used to, and there are a few different species I have never heard or fished before.)

Up North, we call the Summer Flouder - Flukes (Flounder with the big mouths and sharp teeth) and the Winter Flounder are just called flounder. The Winter flounder have smaller mouths, bigger lips and no sharp teeth)

My boat is located in the Richmond area ( so its a decent jaunt to get to the ocean... alot further than id like) but Im new to the area so theres alot for me to learn
So, my first question would be...
1. How far up into the brackish waters of the James River can flouder be caught? Hopewell ?, Williamsburg? or closer to Newport / Norfolk areas?

2. Are there Tarpon in the James river? On a choppy day, on my return trip home, my wife an I saw this 4 -5 foot silver fish launch right outta the water. Unfotunately, it was getting late, and my GPS was not installed yet... and since I am new to the area, I didnt want to try to find my way home in the dark. So we couldnt stop to fish.

3. On another trip, at anchor in the Hopewell area, There was a school of greenish fish breaking water all around the boat. My first thought, Do dophin swim this far up the James River? Then I got a good look at one, It had a long beak like nose. I couldnt get thouse fish to hit anything, I would have had better luck trying to catch one with my bare hands. After coming home and doing some research, I found that they must have been Longnosed Gar. (never seen or heard of one before)

4. The only thing I have been able to catch so far is a couple of smaller white catfish.

Thanks for any advice, you care to share.

Reel Nauti welcome to VBSF! Normally you're in the right forum for flatties, "Inshore, Creeks and Inlets (Eastern Shore VA and MD)". Wachapreague on the Eastern Shore is usually the place to be, but it sounds a little slow according to Captain Dale.

Sounds like you will be fishing the mouth of the James ...... switch over to this forum .... Lower Chesapeakeand Inshore