TreeHook

Ok, so I’m looking for some advice from the local Rapidan/Rappahanock Gurus. I’m itching to take a smallmouth kayak and camping trip and I need some help. I have loosely planned the trip with a buddy around early October. I’m planning on launching in the Rapidan at Ely’s Ford and fishing to the confluence of the rappahanock. We’ll camp there overnight, and then fishing from there to Mott’s run public launch the following day. I will load up at Mott’s. I’m hoping this gets some views, because I’m sure to have follow up questions. 1. Is it generally safe to leave overnight vehicles at Ely’s Ford and Mott’s? 2. I’ve seen where people said they camp near the confluence, but is that public or private land? Is it okay to camp along the river? 3. I’d imagine with the lack of rain this year the water is low. Is a paddle trip between these points feasible? (Hopefully get some rain in September) 4. What baits to use that time of year? I’m planning 2 rods. Casting rod for: size 90 whopper ploppers, shallow diving crankbaits, and jerkbaits. Spinning rod for: neds, senkos, drop shot, craws, and tubes. I am no stranger to the rappahanock, but I generally fish further downriver around little falls or hopyard for largemouths. I know very little about smallmouth fishing. Thanks in advance!

Just a follow up on this thread. I ended up going with the 6’8” Medium power Moderate fast action Curado rod. I was able to get out on the water and try it out today. I threw a rapala 08 skitter walk top water, rapala DT-6 crankbait, and a weightless zoom super fluke in the grass. I was happy with the performance. Even managed to land a few fish on the fluke. I think the rod will work well for my intended uses. Thanks for all the feedback!

A buddy of mine also recommended the ALX rods. He really seems to like them. I was unfamiliar with the brand, so I’ve never even given them a thought. I may have to check them out.

Thanks for the reply! The Falcon I broke and am replacing was a the 6’6” medium power, moderate action “Treble Hooker”in the cheaper Bucoo line. I own several Lowriders and really like them. I was looking at the $130 Lowrider Jerkbait rod as a replacement, but they are sold out everywhere.

Im thinking about ordering a Shimano Curado Casting Rod to replace a broken Falcon rod. American Legacy has them the one I’m looking at on sale for like $135 (down from $179). Does anyone have any experience with this line that can provide some honest feedback? I went to the YouTubes for reviews, but it’s more sales pitches than honest reviews. I hear the blank is the same as the shimano zodias line. I'm looking at the 6’8” Medium power Moderate fast action for jerkbaits, smaller cranks, and smaller top water. Thanks in advance for any info!!

Thanks for the reply. I mainly throw the 3-1/8” Rapala Skitter Walk for top water on that rod. I fish the tidal Potomac and Rappahanock mostly. As far as cranks go, I’m mostly fishing shallow, so I don’t normally throw bigger then a KVD 1.5 square bill, or a Rapala DT-6. 3-1/2lbs on the Rapala Skitter Walk yesterday. Broke the rod shortly after. lol

So while out fishing today I managed to snap my Falcon Bucoo Brc-4-166 "Treble Hooker" rod. This was the rod that I used as a multi purpose crankbait, jerk bait, and top water spook style bait rod. The rod is just over a year old and should be covered under warranty. I emailed them with the hopes that I can get a credit to upgrade the rod. I really like the Lowrider series and I have a few from that line already. I’m looking at the Lowrider LFC-68M Jerkbait rod as a replacement. The specs show that the power and action is the same as the rod I was using (medium power/moderate action) . Is there any reason that this rod wouldn’t be a good choice for my current needs. Thanks in advance!

Even in dads boat, the furthest up river I’ve gone in the is around 4-winds. Only gone down river to about Hicks landing. I definitely need to understand working the tides better. I was told the first 2hrs of incoming and the last 2hrs of outgoing is when the bites tend to pickup. On your swim jig, what weight are you using and do you use a trailer? Again I’ve never fished a swim jig, but I’d like to add to my arsenal. Wife thinks I’m spending too much on fishing gear, but what does she know? Lol

I’ve fished a little up river and down river from the ramp, but never overly far either direction. My father lives local to the area as well, so sometimes we take his small bass boat, but a lot of times I’ll just launch my Canoe. I’ve taken my canoe way back into a couple of the creeks and pulled a few bass on chatterbaits and buzz baits. Had a bunch of blowups on a top water popping frog, but set the hook way to early and missed every bite (rookie mistakes). Never tried a Ned rig, or swim jig. I did catch a few snake heads last year. 2 were off of a chartreuse shallow diving crankbait fishing shallow grass and another one just over 8lbs was actually caught off of a t-rigged black w/ blue flake 5” Yamamoto senko and 3/16 worm weight fishing a dock. I probably fished the Rapp 5-6 times last year. Most of my fishing was around Mallows bay in Charles county, because it close to work and me and a coworker would generally get out every Friday afternoon after work and fish his boat. I’ve actually found the Rappahannock to be a much harder river to fish.

Thanks, guys. A lot of good info here for me to try out. Looking forward to getting back out next spring and putting some of this to use. A few methods I’ve never tried, so there will some learning involved. I’ve visited this site’s forums a lot searching information and it’s honestly been great.

I was struggling a bit with the Texas rigged senko on the river when I tried it. Mostly because I did manage to catch 2 small LMB over a couple trips and I never knew I had them, so they swallowed it. I’m sure it’s mostly due to my inexperience, but the line was moving so fast, I didn’t know the fish was there. I use 30lb braid with a 12lb floro leader on my work rod and I just switched my braid to HI VIS yellow to make line watching a bit easier.

To be more specific, the location of the Rappahannock im fishing is around Hopyard ramp

Which method do you find most effective for plastic worm fishing rivers with current. I’ve recently started fishing the Rappahannock river in VA and it was a bit different from most bass fishing I’ve done before. Generally fishing slower moving water, I’ve had great success throwing weightless T-rigged senkos, but even with 3/16oz worm weights, I was watching my senkos drift down the river about as fast as the current was moving. Would you recommend heavier worm weights, neko rigging, tiny child rigs, or just ditch the worm all together for fast moving baits? Thanks in advance for the help. I’m about 2 years into bass fishing and I’ve got the bug. Lol