Tidal James River Tournaments
The Tidal James River trail board with posted weights.
- 4upcoming
- 7results
- 17 lbavg win/day
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Kerr Lake: ted, CC BY 2.0
Commonwealth trails post Tidal James River dates on their own sites, and each row here was read there.
Formats the hosts list for Tidal James River: Open event, team or individual; Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Series, one day; team, one day, five-bass limit.
Host pages linked in each row; read November 2026.
How Virginia trails list the Tidal James River days
MLF Phoenix BFL Regional (Northeast and Shenandoah divisions) on James River: Matt McCluskey, two-day total of 10 bass weighing 34 pounds, 12 ounces. Event date not printed; MLF release dated 2025-10-06 (dateline RICHMOND, Va.).
MLF Phoenix BFL Shenandoah Division (3 of 5) on James River: Michael McCrickard, 20 pounds, 10 ounces. Event date not printed; MLF release dated 2026-06-22 (dateline HENRICO, Va.).
MLF Phoenix BFL Piedmont Division (4 of 5) on James River: Thomas Milton, 26 pounds, 1 ounce. Event date not printed; MLF release dated 2026-06-29 (dateline HENRICO, Va.).
MLF Phoenix BFL Shenandoah Division (4 of 5) on James River: Chris Baldwin, 18 pounds, 3 ounces. Event date not printed; MLF release dated 2026-07-20 (dateline HENRICO, Va.).
Fishers of Men Virginia East – Classic – James River, "Fill the Boat" (open) (2026-11-21): printed as James River; posted by Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail; format: Open event, team or individual; Toys for Tots toy drive.
2027 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Virginia Division at James River (2027-03-13): printed as James River; trail Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League; format: Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Series, one day; launch not printed.
Fishers of Men Virginia East – Classic – James River (2027-05-22): printed as James River; hosted by Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail; format: team, one day, five-bass limit.
2027 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Virginia Division at James River (2027-07-17): printed as James River; organizer Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League; format: Phoenix BFL Team/Solo Series, one day; launch not printed.
Ramps listed for the CATT dates: 2026-10-03 Rt 5 Riverfront Park; 2026-09-26 Rt 5; 2026-09-12 Osborne; 2026-08-15 Rt 5; CATT prints only the Osborne and Rt 5 ramps for its James River division, both on the tidal James below the fall line.
Details as posted on each host page linked in the tables; read November 2026.
The Tidal James River contest fishing in Virginia
Commonwealth host pages put the Tidal James River on 4 scheduled events, with 4 still ahead and 7 published results. Virginia groups fishing the Tidal James River: Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT), Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail and Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League. The Commonwealth listings name Hopewell Marina, Rt 5 and Hopewell City Marina for launch.
Virginia one-day five-bass champions here: 5 events, 17 pounds on average, 19.84 on top. Fishers of Men Virginia East – Classic – James River, “Fill the Boat” (open) is up next, 2026-11-21.
What the trails have booked on the Tidal James River
| Date | Event | Organizer | Ramp | Locality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-11-21 | Fishers of Men Virginia East – Classic – James River, "Fill the Boat" (open) | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail | Hopewell City Marina | City of Hopewell |
| 2027-03-13 | 2027 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Virginia Division at James River | Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League | Chesterfield County | |
| 2027-05-22 | Fishers of Men Virginia East – Classic – James River | Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail | Hopewell Marina | City of Hopewell |
| 2027-07-17 | 2027 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Virginia Division at James River | Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League | Chesterfield County |
Virginia calendars as of November 2026.
Commonwealth trail winners on the Tidal James River
| Date | Event | Winner | Winning weight | One-day bag (lb) | Big fish | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-17 | CATT VA – James River Division Final 2026-10-17 | Mickey Anderson & Bo Boltz | 33.59 lbs (10 bass, two days) | Chesterfield County | ||
| 2026-10-03 | CATT BassKings (individual) 2026-10-03 | Mike Rowe | 15 lbs even | 15 | Chesterfield County | |
| 2026-09-26 | CATT VA – James River Division 2026-09-26 | Donnie Meade & Kevin Young | 14.65 lbs | 14.65 | Chesterfield County | |
| 2026-09-12 | CATT VA – James River Division 2026-09-12 | Frank Poirier & Brian Durham | 16.55 lbs | 16.55 | Chesterfield County | |
| 2026-08-15 | CATT VA – James River Division 2026-08-15 | Thomas Milton & Cody Casey | 19.84 lbs | 19.84 | Chesterfield County | |
| 2026-05-30 | Fishers of Men Virginia East – Classic – James River 2026-05-30 | Brad Webb Danny Ferk | 18.94 (net wt) | 18.94 | 4.7 lb (as printed) | Chesterfield County |
| 2026-05-16 | Fishers of Men Virginia East – Legacy – James River 2026-05-16 | Allen Walden Alexis Carson | 15.95 (net wt) | 6.42 lb (as printed) | Chesterfield County |
Posted results; each row links out.
How much a Virginia trail win on the Tidal James River weighs
A 19.84-pound bag at CATT VA – James River Division 2026-08-15 (2026) leads the Tidal James River list.
Going by 5 events, plan on 14.7 to 19.8 pounds to win.
Dated one-day five-bass winning bags only; two-day totals and Legacy Series weights are not averaged.
The Tidal James River once the trailers leave
The Tidal James River winds past Chesterfield County, Henrico County, City of Richmond and Surry County. The river here is tidal freshwater and brackish water. Fall Line The Fall Line is defined as the following landmarks: Appomattox: The remnants of Harvell Dam approx. DWR boating access here: 6 access sites.
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Freshwater/Saltwater License Lines on Tidal Waters Persons fishing upstream of the designated lines on the following waters must have a valid freshwater fishing license, while those fishing below the lines must have a valid saltwater fishing license: Elizabeth River: The Great Bridge Locks James River: A line connecting Hog Point on Hog Island (Surry County) and the downstream point of the mouth of College Creek (James City County) Piankatank River/Dragon Run: The first set of power lines immediately upriver of Anderson Point Potomac River*: Rt.
Virginia DWR waterbody page and layers; USGS gauges; Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations layer; read November 6, 2026.
The Tidal James River creel and length limits
| Species as printed | Where it applies | Creel | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Alabama, Spotted Bass | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Landlocked Striped Bass and Landlocked Striped Bass X White Bass Hybrids | statewide | 4 per day in the aggregate | No fish less than 20 inches |
| Walleye, Saugeye | statewide | 5 per day in the aggregate | No walleye or saugeye less than 18 inches |
| Sauger | statewide | 2 per day | No statewide length limits |
| White Bass | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Chain Pickerel and Northern Pike | statewide | 5 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Muskellunge | statewide | 1 per day | No muskellunge less than 40 inches |
| Bluegill (bream) and other sunfish excluding Crappie, Rock Bass (redeye) and Roanoke Bass | statewide | 50 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Crappie (black or white) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate (combined) | No statewide length limits |
| Rock Bass (redeye) | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with Roanoke bass | No statewide length limits |
| Roanoke Bass | statewide | 25 per day in the aggregate with rock bass | No statewide length limits |
| Perch (yellow and white) | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Trout | statewide | 6 per day | 7 inch minimum size |
| Channel, White, and Flathead | statewide | 20 per day | No length limits |
| Blue | statewide | 20 per day | No statewide length limits |
| Other native or naturalized nongame fish | statewide | 20 per day | No length limits |
| Threatened and endangered species | statewide | No possession | no length limit printed |
| Grass Carp | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| Longnose Gar | statewide | July 1 to April 14: 5 per day | April 15 to June 30: 1 per day No statewide length limits |
| Bowfin | statewide | July 1 to April 14: 5 per day | April 15 to June 30: 1 per day No statewide length limits |
| Northern Snakehead | statewide | No statewide daily limit | No statewide length limit |
| American Eel | statewide | 25 per day; no eel less than 9 inches | no length limit printed |
Special digest rules on the Tidal James River
| Water as printed | Species | Rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| James River and its tributaries below the fall line downstream to a line connecting Hog Point on Hog Island (Surry County) and the downstream point of the mouth | Blue | No daily limit, except only 1 blue catfish per day longer than 32 inches |
Water-specific exceptions as printed, 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
Statewide creel and length limits as printed (page updated August 17, 2026), 2026 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia digest (eRegulations, linked from the Virginia DWR regulations page), read November 6, 2026.
For the smallmouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Ramps, hosts and localities for a Tidal James River field
Putting a bass boat in at the Tidal James River
- Lawnes Creek boat ramp on Tidal James Riverdock and ramp, 1 ramp, barrier-free, fresh and salt, Williamsburg
- Grey's Creek boat ramp on Tidal James Riverconcrete ramp (no dock), 1 ramp, barrier-free, saltwater, Williamsburg
- Deep Bottom boat ramp on Tidal James Riverdock and ramp, 2 ramps, barrier-free, freshwater, Enon
- Dutch Gap boat ramp on Tidal James Riverhand launch (boat slide), 2 ramps, barrier-free, freshwater, Bellwood
- Osborne boat ramp on Tidal James Riverdock & ramp, 6 ramps, barrier-free, freshwater, Bellwood
- Ancarrow's Landing on Tidal James Riverdock and ramp, 2 ramps, barrier-free, freshwater, Montrose
Virginia hosts running the Tidal James River fields
Counties and cities touching the Tidal James River
- City of Hopewell
- Chesterfield County
Trail tackle for the Tidal James River
Jerkbaits and shaky heads
For docks and riprap
Spinning and casting rods
For clear highland reservoirs
Fluorocarbon line
For deep, clear water
Fish care
For hot-weather weigh-ins
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Virginia contest pages beyond the Tidal James River
- Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir)28 events
- Chickahominy River7 events
- Claytor Lake1 event
- Lake Anna7 events
- Lake Chesdin3 events
- Lake Gaston7 events
- Lake Moomaw2 events
- Leesville Reservoir3 events
- Philpott Lake4 events
- Smith Mountain Lake15 events
- South Holston Reservoir1 event
Old Dominion water near Tidal James River, on camera
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Virginia State Parks, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tony Alter, CC BY 2.0
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Virginia water close to Tidal James River trail stops, photographed
Photo: Watts, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Missy Schmidt, CC BY 2.0
Photo: schizoform, CC BY 2.0
Heard at the Tidal James River ramp
Do Virginia trails fish the Tidal James River often?
4 listed dates, 4 not yet fished, plus 7 published results.
Is a field booked on the Tidal James River soon?
Fishers of Men Virginia East – Classic – James River, "Fill the Boat" (open) on 2026-11-21.
What has a Tidal James River champion weighed in?
Expect about 17 pounds for a one-day five-bass win here (5 events); the high mark is 19.84.
Which Virginia hosts book the Tidal James River?
Carolina Anglers Team Trail (CATT), Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail and Major League Fishing (MLF) Phoenix Bass Fishing League.
Which ramp do the Tidal James River fields launch from?
Ramps the Virginia hosts name: Hopewell Marina, Rt 5 and Hopewell City Marina.
What is the newest Tidal James River result?
Mickey Anderson & Bo Boltz won CATT VA – James River Division Final 2026-10-17 (2026-10-17), weighing 33.59 lbs (10 bass, two days).
What does a Tidal James River competitor buy from Virginia DWR?
A Virginia freshwater license is $23 a year for residents and $47 for nonresidents 16 and older. Freshwater/Saltwater License Lines on Tidal Waters Persons fishing upstream of the designated lines on the following waters must have a valid freshwater fishing license, while those fishing below the lines must have a valid saltwater fishing license: Elizabeth River: The Great Bridge Locks James River: A line connecting Hog Point on Hog Island (Surry County) and the downstream point of the mouth of College Creek (James City County) Piankatank River/Dragon Run: The first set of power lines immediately upriver of Anderson Point Potomac River*: Rt.
Which trail collects the Tidal James River entry money?
Every row links its event name to the trail that takes entries.
Can our club send its the Tidal James River stop?
Hosts can post dates through the Add a tournament button above.
Put in a practice day on the Tidal James River
Ramps, limits and maps are on the water page.
Know a tournament that is not listed?
Send it here with a link to the organizer’s event page or schedule. Weekly and monthly ones only need to go in once. If that page shows the name and the date (or the day of the week), it goes on this page right away. If not, we check it by hand within a week.
We keep what you send so we can check the event. Your email is never published.