How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Hopewell, United States ? Today is a good day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, nearby tide chart, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the Tide Clock section to sync bite times with high and low tide chart.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Fishing in Hopewell, Virginia centers on the rich tidal confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers, offering anglers a mix of freshwater and brackish species within minutes of town. From trophy blue catfish in the James River to striped bass, largemouth bass, and panfish in nearby creeks, Hopewell provides year‑round fishing opportunities for boaters and bank anglers alike. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
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Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
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Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
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Moonrise:
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Moonset:
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Moon over:
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Moon under:
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Visibility:17%
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Waxing Crescent
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Distance to earth:371,759 kmProximity:79.7 %
Moon Phases for Hopewell
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good Day
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major Time:03:08 am - 05:08 am
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minor Time:08:40 am - 10:40 am
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major Time:03:44 pm - 05:44 pm
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minor Time:10:49 pm - 12:49 am
Tides Times for Fishing: Thu, 18 Jun
Tide Clock
Tide Graph
Times
| Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|
| low | 12:21 am | -0.26 ft |
| high | 06:21 am | 3.08 ft |
| low | 01:13 pm | -0.26 ft |
| high | 06:52 pm | 2.59 ft |
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
| Date | Major Bite Times | Minor Bite Times | Sun | Moon | Moonphase | Tide Times |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
high:
, 3.22 ft
, Coeff: 153
low:
, -0.3 ft
high:
, 2.59 ft
, Coeff: 108
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-
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-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
low:
, -0.26 ft
high:
, 3.08 ft
, Coeff: 144
low:
, -0.26 ft
high:
, 2.59 ft
, Coeff: 108
|
|
|
-
-
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-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Crescent |
low:
, -0.16 ft
high:
, 2.89 ft
, Coeff: 130
low:
, -0.2 ft
high:
, 2.59 ft
, Coeff: 108
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
low:
, -0.03 ft
high:
, 2.66 ft
, Coeff: 113
low:
, -0.1 ft
high:
, 2.59 ft
, Coeff: 108
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-
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-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
low:
, 0.1 ft
high:
, 2.43 ft
, Coeff: 96
low:
, 0 ft
high:
, 2.59 ft
, Coeff: 108
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
low:
, 0.23 ft
high:
, 2.26 ft
, Coeff: 84
low:
, 0.1 ft
high:
, 2.59 ft
, Coeff: 108
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
low:
, 0.3 ft
high:
, 2.1 ft
, Coeff: 72
low:
, 0.2 ft
high:
, 2.59 ft
, Coeff: 108
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-
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-
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R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Gibbous |
low:
, 0.33 ft
high:
, 2.03 ft
, Coeff: 68
low:
, 0.23 ft
|
Fishing Overview Hopewell
Hopewell, Virginia sits on one of the Mid‑Atlantic’s most productive pieces of water: the tidal James River right where it merges with the Appomattox. This junction builds current seams, ledges, and bait funnels that hold everything from trophy blue catfish to spring shad and migratory striped bass. The mix of freshwater and brackish influences means anglers can pattern fish year‑round, shifting tactics with the tides and seasons.
Seasonal movements are predictable around Hopewell. Late winter through early spring is prime time for giant blue catfish as they stack on deep outside bends, drop‑offs below points, and channel ledges; water in the mid‑40s to low‑50s is the sweet spot. As spring progresses, shad runs surge upriver, followed by stripers pushing into the tidal James. Summer heat pushes most species to deeper holes during the day, with stronger bites at dawn, dusk, and at night on moving tides. Fall cool‑downs pull baitfish to mid‑depth flats and creek mouths, concentrating bass, cats, and panfish until winter sends them back to deeper wintering areas.
Key habitat around Hopewell includes the main James River channel, the confluence with the Appomattox, adjacent feeder creeks, and scattered backwater sloughs. Look for current breaks created by wing dams, bridge pilings, and sharp river bends. On the Appomattox side, softer currents, laydowns, and riprap banks favor bass, crappie, and sunfish. Deeper mid‑river holes and ledges in the James are classic blue and flathead catfish water, while shallower sand and mud flats bordering the channel hold white perch, panfish, and feeding stripers on moving tides.
Catfish are the headline draw in Hopewell. For big blues, anchor or slow‑drift along channel edges in 20–40 feet, positioning baits right on the break. Cut gizzard shad, white perch, and menhaden on 8/0–10/0 circle hooks, fished on fish‑finder or Santee rigs with enough weight to hold bottom in strong tide. Use heavy gear: 30–50 lb mono or 50–80 lb braid and abrasion‑resistant leaders. For eater‑size channel cats, downsize to 3/0–5/0 hooks and soak cut bait, shrimp, or nightcrawlers along inside bends and eddies.
Striped bass and shad fishing peaks in spring. Focus on current seams below shoals and at the Appomattox confluence. For shad, small brightly colored shad darts, spoons, and curly‑tail grubs on light spinning tackle work best, often fished in tandem rigs to probe different depths. For stripers, throw 3–5 inch soft plastics on jigheads, shallow‑running crankbaits, or jerkbaits across points and rips on a flooding or ebbing tide. At low light, topwater walkers and poppers can draw explosive strikes along riprap and over shallow bars.
Largemouth bass, crappie, and panfish thrive in quieter side waters. Target bass around wood, grass edges, and docks in the Appomattox and protected coves; Texas‑rigged plastics, spinnerbaits, and squarebill crankbaits all produce. Crappie congregate around bridge pilings, brush, and marina structure; 1/16–1/8 oz jigs tipped with small plastics or minnows are reliable. Bluegill and other sunfish are easy targets along riprap and laydowns with small worms, crickets, or micro‑jigs under a float—perfect for shore anglers and families.
Success around Hopewell hinges on reading tide, current, and structure together. Plan trips around major tidal swings, position upcurrent of prime cover or ledges, and adjust depth constantly until you contact fish. Heavy main‑river current often calls for bigger baits and sinkers, while side creeks and eddies reward finesse. By matching tactics to the James and Appomattox’s shifting flows, anglers can tap into one of Virginia’s most consistent multi‑species fisheries right out of Hopewell.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Hopewell area
Wharf's or Jetties are good places to wet a line and meet other fishermen. They often produce a fresh feed of fish and are also great to catch bait fish. As they are often well lit, they also provide a good opportunity for night fishing. There are 3 wharf(s) in this area.
Kimmages Wharf - 8.24146808147km , Picketts Wharf - 9.09332841062km , Curles Neck Mansion Wharf - 9.58925350279km
Harbours and Marinas can often times be productive fishing spots for land based fishing as their sheltered environment attracts a wide variety of bait fish. Similar to river mouths, harbour entrances are also great places to fish as lots of fish will move in and out with the rising and falling tides. There are 2 main harbours in this area.
Jordan Point Marina - 5.90014766375km, Appomattox Small Boat Harbor - 9.34115581359km
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Hopewell. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Poythress Run - 1.57859036074km , Appomattox River - 2.09164661742km , Shand Creek - 2.68316796351km , Bullhill Run - 3.34034007035km , Manchester Run - 3.65907123628km , Shirley Hole - 3.92224694435km , Eppes Island - 4.00444821001km , Southerly Run - 5.10991269704km , Sunken Island - 5.29592960694km , Cobbs Island - 5.61804306864km , Jordan Point Marina - 5.90014766375km , Ashton Creek - 6.1824872169km , Back Creek Island - 6.40093085999km , Bickers Creek - 6.41184272189km , Billy Creek - 6.43663210183km , Short Turn - 6.45017943704km , Pye Alley - 6.50567012453km , Gilliams Island - 6.52858634562km , Broad Street - 6.62885783113km , Curles Neck Swamp - 6.71340296893km , Cat Island - 6.92393435201km , Rosemary Lane - 7.0190978161km , Turkey Island - 7.20285947869km , Swift Creek - 7.24501412613km , Jenny Creek - 7.27833510881km , Harrison Branch - 7.56156696653km , Halls Island - 7.62190889947km , Presque Isle Swamp - 7.6666280708km , Charles Lake Dam - 7.85387349483km , Chappell Creek - 7.85650150382km , Curles Creek - 7.90326734322km , Kimages Creek - 8.10717983692km , Kimmages Wharf - 8.24146808147km , Picketts Wharf - 9.09332841062km , Turkey Island Creek - 9.26670936042km , Appomattox Small Boat Harbor - 9.34115581359km , Timsbury Creek - 9.38614361966km , Curles Neck Mansion Wharf - 9.58925350279km , Oldtown Creek - 9.8293478015km , Harrison Dam - 9.99281866648km
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