Day 2 on the James River

It's another hot morning on the James River, and many anglers decided to make the run to the Chick River in search of a big Day 2 limit.
It’s another hot morning on the James River, and many anglers decided to make the run to the Chick River in search of a big Day 2 limit.
Mike McClelland gives us a wave as he flies by.
Mike McClelland gives us a wave as he flies by.
Anglers cross the flat toward the river.
Anglers cross the flat toward the river.
Jared Lintner leads a pack of five boats.
Jared Lintner leads a pack of five boats.
Next comes another group of five or so boats.
Next comes another group of five or so boats.
Jonathon VanDam heads towards the dam.
Jonathon VanDam heads towards the dam.
Your boat needs a wash, man!
Your boat needs a wash, man!
With the sun getting higher in the sky, a steamy fog blew through the trees.
With the sun getting higher in the sky, a steamy fog blew through the trees.
As anglers ran by they disappeared into the fog.
As anglers ran by they disappeared into the fog.
Chad Pipkens heads towards the dam as well.
Chad Pipkens heads towards the dam as well.
Ross Rhodes heads to his first fishing location.
Ross Rhodes heads to his first fishing location.
Ish heads towards the dam.
Ish heads towards the dam.
Pipkens runs a few miles into the river and stops on a duck blind.
Pipkens runs a few miles into the river and stops on a duck blind.
His co-angler Matt Vermilyea catches one a few casts later.
His co-angler Matt Vermilyea catches one a few casts later.
Chad works his bait slow in the tidal current.
Chad works his bait slow in the tidal current.
Then sets the hook on a good fish.
Then sets the hook on a good fish.
He brings it to the back of the boat away from the wood in front of him.
He brings it to the back of the boat away from the wood in front of him.
Vermilyea pulls his rods to give Chad some room.
Vermilyea pulls his rods to give Chad some room.
Pipkens goes in to grab the fish.
Pipkens goes in to grab the fish.
Typical Chad style, grabbin’ em like a football!
Typical Chad style, grabbin’ em like a football!
A celebratory fist pump.
A celebratory fist pump.
Then Chad puts the fish into the livewell.
Then Chad puts the fish into the livewell.
Time for some water, its getting hot.
Time for some water, its getting hot.
Boat traffic on the river seemed constant with anglers following the tide up and down the river to their various fishing spots.
Boat traffic on the river seemed constant with anglers following the tide up and down the river to their various fishing spots.
Gerald pulls into fish near Pipkens. He mentioned that he had lost a giant on the same spot the day before.
Gerald pulls into fish near Pipkens. He mentioned that he had lost a giant on the same spot the day before.
His co-angler hooks a gar.
His co-angler hooks a gar.
Vermilyea back at it with a small fish.
Vermilyea back at it with a small fish.
Did I mention there were a lot of boats running around?
Did I mention there were a lot of boats running around?
Chad boat flips another small fish to add to his total.
Chad boat flips another small fish to add to his total.
Then another one.
Then another one.
A little ways away Vince Toriano, who started the day in third place, was trying a variety of tricks to try and get a big bite.
A little ways away Vince Toriano, who started the day in third place, was trying a variety of tricks to try and get a big bite.
After an hour with no action, Vince made a rod swap and headed towards the dam.
After an hour with no action, Vince made a rod swap and headed towards the dam.
Once there he focused in on one corner of the dam where there was lots of current.
Once there he focused in on one corner of the dam where there was lots of current.
Just around the corner Gerald hooks a fish.
Just around the corner Gerald hooks a fish.
He gets low to grab his catch.
He gets low to grab his catch.
There’s a good one!
There’s a good one!
Gerald holds it up for the camera.
Gerald holds it up for the camera.
Vince puts on another worm and gets back up on deck.
Vince puts on another worm and gets back up on deck.
Gerald’s co-angler catches a small one.
Gerald’s co-angler catches a small one.
Like I said, boat traffic.
Like I said, boat traffic.
After a sustained effort at the dam, Vince packs up and heads for new water. He only had two fish in the box.
After a sustained effort at the dam, Vince packs up and heads for new water. He only had two fish in the box.
This time he stopped on a tree.
This time he stopped on a tree.
He made several casts with no luck.
He made several casts with no luck.
Just down the river Ross Rhodes was fishing near some sunken barges and trees.
Just down the river Ross Rhodes was fishing near some sunken barges and trees.
He told us that earlier he had caught a good one and was nice enough to hold it up for us.
He told us that earlier he had caught a good one and was nice enough to hold it up for us.
Consistent with the theme of the day, it was time to move to the next spot.
Consistent with the theme of the day, it was time to move to the next spot.
Anglers hopped from spot to spot in hopes that new, large, fish had moved into their areas.
Anglers hopped from spot to spot in hopes that new, large, fish had moved into their areas.
Jonathan VanDam flies towards the dam in an attempt to locate a monster.
Jonathan VanDam flies towards the dam in an attempt to locate a monster.