Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Oct to May
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
James River (Tidal) Fishing Guide
Virginia
The tidal James below the fall line in Richmond, which Virginia DWR calls a nationally recognized trophy blue catfish fishery, with largemouth bass in its tidal creeks.
Part of the James River.
Photo: National Park Service via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the James River (Tidal) for largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, blue catfish, common carp, American shad, flathead catfish and white perch. November is outside the confirmed prime months here: striped bass and American shad are prime Apr.
There are 5 shops nearby (1 fly, 4 bait and tackle), including Fish Tales Bait and Tackle in Hopewell. Also nearby: Virginia Beach.
Season at a Glance
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Largemouth Bass
Striped Bass
Crappie
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
Blue Catfish
Common Carp
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
American Shad
Flathead Catfish
White Perch
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Agency: Virginia DWRSpawning: Virginia DWR: Largemouth Bass; Crappie; Bluegill; Channel Catfish; Blue Catfish; Flathead Catfish
Season Rules & Licenses
- Virginia DWR rule for blue catfish in the tidal rivers (2026): no daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish a day longer than 32 inches. Virginia DWR 2026
- VMRC Chesapeake Bay seasons, which cover Virginia's Bay tributary rivers (2026): striped bass may be kept May 16 to June 15 and Oct. 4 to Dec. 31, 19 to 24 inches, 1 a day. VMRC 2026
- VMRC (2026): it is illegal to possess American shad. VMRC 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Virginia fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the James River
- Main PageJames RiverVirginia's largest river, about 300 miles from the Appalachian Mountains through Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay, with smallmouth bass above the fall line and trophy blue catfish in its tidal water.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaUpper James RiverThe upper James from the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers near Iron Gate about 90 miles down to Lynchburg, where Virginia DWR reports good numbers of muskies and a smallmouth bass fishery on the rise.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaMiddle James RiverThe middle James from Bent Creek below Lynchburg to Watkins Landing above Richmond, where Virginia DWR samples smallmouth bass, sunfish and channel and flathead catfish.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaJames River (Richmond)The James at Richmond, the fall-line stretch from Bosher's Dam down to the 14th Street Bridge, where smallmouth bass are the most common game species.
- Rivers & Streams · Virginia · You're HereJames River (Tidal)The tidal James below the fall line in Richmond, which Virginia DWR calls a nationally recognized trophy blue catfish fishery, with largemouth bass in its tidal creeks.
James River (Tidal) Species
Largemouth Bass
No agency season found.
Spawning: Mar to May, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Striped Bass
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Prime: Apr
View Species
Crappie
No agency season found.
Spawning: Mar to Jul, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Bluegill
No agency season found.
Spawning: Jun to Jul, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Channel Catfish
No agency season found.
Spawning: Apr to Jun, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Blue Catfish
No agency season found.
Spawning: Apr to Jul, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Common Carp
No agency season found.
View Species
American Shad
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J
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Prime: Apr
View Species
Flathead Catfish
No agency season found.
Spawning: May to Jul, per Virginia DWR
View Species
White Perch
No agency season found.
View SpeciesSpecies per Virginia DWR.
Images: Duane Raver and Ryan Hagerty, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Largemouth Bass
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 7 and 8 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Avid Bass Fly Line · WF7F or WF8FCheck Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #2-10Bass Popper · Bass Popper AssortmentCheck Price
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelLew's Mach Baitcasting Combo · 7 ft 2 in medium heavy, fast, right handCheck Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 50 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 4 to 5 inSoft Stick Bait · Yamamoto Senko 5 inCheck Price
- Lure for November · 6 to 10 inTexas-Rigged Worm · Zoom Trick WormCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/4 to 3/4 ozBass JigSee Options
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near James River (Tidal):
- James River Tackle Co., HopewellWebsite
- Ed Allens Boats & Bait, LanexaWebsite
- Orvis Richmond River Rd, HenricoWebsite
Map of James River (Tidal)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Nothing at its peak this month.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
62°F high, 41°F low
About 3.4 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 1 mi away.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Egg Sinkers and Swivels
Egg sinkers, swivels, and beads for slip-sinker and Carolina rigs.
Check PriceApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Mar, May
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on James River (Tidal)
Source: Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near James River (Tidal)
Guides and Charters Near James River (Tidal)
Farther Out
Charter
Captain Hogg's Charters
Hampton, Virginia
Per their website: Striped Bass, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Class Act Charters LLC
Grimstead, Virginia
Per their website: Striped Bass, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Inshore, Offshore, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Charter
Four Winds Chartering
Hampton, Virginia
374 Dandy Haven Rd 757-713-2275
Per their website: Striped Bass, Flounder, Bluefish
