Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Ernie · Dec-23-25 7:32PM

Ernie · Dec-23-25 7:41PM

This is one of the reasons that I sold my boat.

On 8-29-22, I reported this: "Well, I thought that the outing (8-25-22) with George was a slow white perch fishing day when we caught around 50. Today was just plain dead...20 fish!"

drxfish · Dec-23-25 8:23PM

Bummer for sure. Poor water quality, more large predators, overfishing of bait fish, too much rain, not enough rain and Bay temps may or may not have something to do with it.

Ernie · Dec-23-25 8:27PM

IMHO, I blame the blue cats! It was VA DWR who brought them in (70's) to the James and Rapp. They have since migrated all over the bay and tribs.

Bryan · Dec-24-25 12:10PM

I've noticed a decline too. Used to be able to pull up to any dock or jetty and pull off some WP. Now it seems like they're only in a couple places and I have to be there at exactly the right time to catch some.

backtofuturetoyota · Dec-30-25 4:01PM

I have definitely missed my opportunity to get in on the tradition of great WP days on the water it seems.....I guess I can start fishing for blue cats....someone show me the way.

hookup · Dec-30-25 6:37PM

backtofuturetoyota wrote:
I guess I can start fishing for blue cats....someone show me the way.

We killed them on VA points with a bottle of bourbon, round ounce sinkers, cut squid or shrimp on a two hook fishing rig

Wrong fish though. We were fishing for croaker. Dam blue cats would tear up our wire rigs

Last edited by hookup (Dec-31-25 5:12PM)

Ernie · Dec-31-25 2:34AM

The croaker bite that we used to have ain the bay a while back disappeared.

backtofuturetoyota · Dec-31-25 1:15PM

I've always wondered what the "greed" aspect of fishing would do to the environment. I've seen or heard of so many taking more than they need or illegal nets found, etc.. But, it seems that the blue cat may be doing more damage than that. It sounds like these catfish get into the salt water? At least the snakehead offers great sport and eating. I'm not big on eating catfish, but anyone know how they eat?

Ernie · Dec-31-25 2:35PM

Blue cats are tasty but the bigger they get the more toxic they might be. Heck, Wegman’s have them from time to time.

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Dec-23-25 7:32PM

Where are the white perch?

#2 Dec-23-25 7:41PM

Re: Where are the white perch?

#3 Dec-23-25 8:23PM

Re: Where are the white perch?

#4 Dec-23-25 8:27PM

Re: Where are the white perch?

#5 Dec-24-25 12:10PM

Re: Where are the white perch?

#6 Dec-30-25 4:01PM

Re: Where are the white perch?

#7 Dec-30-25 6:37PM

Re: Where are the white perch?

backtofuturetoyota wrote:

#8 Dec-31-25 2:34AM

Re: Where are the white perch?

#9 Dec-31-25 1:15PM

Re: Where are the white perch?

#10 Dec-31-25 2:35PM

Re: Where are the white perch?

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