Thread: Tidal river fishing

when we get a good rain like we are getting now and the water gets high in the riva(chick). With the added water if you fished at low tide would you think the fishing would be the same as fishing the high tide on a day that the water level is normal? Where is Quacker when i have scientific questions? Just trying to figure out if i shoulkd fish tomorrow or wait until Saturday.:D

Originally Posted by Crappisaurusrex

Just trying to figure out if i shoulkd fish tomorrow or wait until Saturday.:D

Fish both days and you'll double the chances of getting it right!

with all the extra run-off I doubt the river will have any slack periods for some time to come...although the chick wont be as bad as the James ... the length of the James will keep it rolling for a good 7 - 10 days...If I were gonna crappie fish Tidal water in the next week I would be looking towards piscataway creek off the Rappahannock ......It is slam full of ring perch as well...

On the upper James several years ago fishing a smallmouth tournament. The river was full throttle,muddy and high from recent rains. Decided it wasn't even worth trying to catch a fish with conditions like this. One of the locals said go down to the mouth of one the feeder creeks. The water will be clearer and the fish will be held up in the eddy of the creek. Nothing to lose off I to give it a whack. Standing on the bank ,Bam, first cast a solid 3 pound er, second cast another just as big. This went on for 30 minutes until I fished it out. Proceeded to another creek up the river and the same thing.
Trying to think if the creeks in the lower James would produce the same effect. Has anyone else ever tried this tactic. Thinking creeks like Herring or Powells might work for crappie. Maybe some creeks on the chick.

It will be like chocolate milk and considering the volume & runoff, I would suggest fishing a 1/148th oz hackletail jig tied to a 3 lb downrigger shot to keep it in the strike zone. :D:D:D
You can anchor by running a 1/2" braided steel cable around restaurant at Rockahock and out to yur boat.

Water in Diascund creek was outta its banks and over the road at the bridge beteween Stewarts grocery & the Diascund ramp turn-off on hwy 60 yesterday. Non of the creeks will be recognizable as such, they are sloughs at present.

I expect my favorite places to stay quite muddy through the weekend. Considering Lee Lake, Sandy River, or Briery as they seem to "clean up" a little quicker than most of the others. Open to comments and advice on this. What Jeff says is right on, I don't have the necessary equipment to do this!

I think you picked the wrong week for Vacation man