How do you catch 24+ pounds of bass in roughly 90 minutes on the James River and Chickahominy River? Chaz and Jared break down their Elite 70 tournament win, including the perfect tidal window, an 8-pound largemouth, forward-facing sonar, the Koike bait, offshore cover, and the decisions that turned one morning into a winning Virginia bass fishing performance.
The guys explain why they committed to making the run to the upper Chickahominy, how incoming tide, low light, current, grass, brush piles and stumps positioned the fish, and how LiveScope helped expose bass they already knew were living offshore. The result was a rapid flurry of big fish—including 4- and 5-pounders, a topwater fish and the massive 8-pounder that changed the tournament.
We also get deep into the current state of James River and Chickahominy River bass fishing. Chaz and Jared discuss fishing pressure, tournament traffic, changing grass, drought and salinity, F1 bass stocking, why weights aren't carrying as deep through tournament fields, and why the upper Chick continues to produce giant largemouth even when other areas struggle.
Plus, we talk about one of the hottest baits in tournament bass fishing—the Koike—and why they believe it isn't just a forward-facing sonar bait. From fishing it around offshore cover to throwing it without LiveScope, the guys explain why this unusual bait continues catching pressured bass in tidal fisheries.
Topics include:
• James River bass fishing
• Chickahominy River bass fishing
• Summer tidal bass fishing
• How tide positions largemouth bass
• Forward-facing sonar and LiveScope
• Koike bait fishing
• Offshore brush piles and stumps
• Grass lines and tidal current
• Tournament fishing pressure
• Virginia bass tournament strategy
• The changing James River fishery
• BFL, MLF and tournament bass fishing
If you fish the James, Chickahominy, Potomac or any tidal bass fishery, there is a ton of information in this conversation about timing, pressure, offshore bass and knowing when to abandon your normal patterns.
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