Rappahannock River Around Fredericksburg

[mjjbn4]

I'm looking for any advice on where to fish the Rappahannock around Fredericksburg for smallmouth/largemouth. Not looking too promising to fish the next 2 days or so but I'm ready to pull out the waders and get after it. Thanks in advance for any info!

[Hannock]

Hey man, grew up in Stafford and fished the 'hannock growing up. This time of year the shad are running through Old Mill Park. You could probably throw a bare hook out and snag a few, but the Fredericksburg area is very heavily fished.  If you have a boat you can put in at City Dock and head down river and fish all the old piers along the banks.  There's a lot of good cover that fish could spawn around this time of year.  On foot I would say head north of the Rt. 1 or even I-95 bridge.  There should be a lot of bass hanging out behind rocks snatching up bait coming through the rapids.  On a warm day I'd suggest going to where they blew up the old dam years ago.  Its really pretty out there and you could wade out in the water and fish some deep spots.  

 

In my opinion though, ditch the rappahanock and fish the aquia creek.  We slayed the bass last year.  Government Island closer to Stafford is becoming a hotspot.  My buddy would kill me for giving out this information... 

[BigJim]

 ditch the rappahanock and fish the aquia creek.  

 

This. Don't waste your time on the rapp if your looking for bass. Aquia creek is much more productive. if youll be bank fishing, you can go to Aquia Landing park and fish off the rocks or on the beach. Guys were catching 3-4 pounders of the bank there about 2 weeks ago.

[mjjbn4]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the head's up. Only been here a few weeks and I'm already tired of fishing the reservoirs and all the people that come with fishing there. I'll check out the Aquia and go from there. Once again, thank you very much!

[BigJim]

No problem. One bad thing about fishing around here is dealing with the people. There are always a lot of people anywhere public on the weekend.  The main reason i got my fishing kayak to was to get away from people.

[mjjbn4]

A fishing kayak is quickly becoming my next major fishing investment. What kind do you have if you don't mind me asking, and what do you like/dislike about it. Seems there are so many to choose from. Would love to get a Hobie but I'm cheap.

[BigJim]

I have a Malibu X factor. The main reason I got that one is the weight capacity( i'm around 280 pounds) and stability. It is incredibly stable and you can stand up in it in calm water. Only downside is the speed, but It's a trade off for the stability.  If you are a normal size person, your options are really endless. There are some kayak threads over in the boat section of the forum you might want to check out.

[mjjbn4]

Thanks brother, I agree about trading speed for stability. I'll take a look at those forums and see what I can learn. Good luck with the fishing!

[Hannock]

Bought an old kayak 2 weeks ago from an antique shop and its does everything I had hoped for. Only problem is any sort of wind and i spend more time paddling than casting and my rods sometimes get tangled up within each other.. need to look into some custom rod holders or something.

[heyitskirby]

I know its probably a little too late, but for fun fishing NEVER ignore the shad run.  

[Hannock]

^ yes. The shad run through Old Mill park is a blast! I heard the striper are chasing them up the river now. Get 'em while its hot.  The spawning is probably getting close to done for them, I think?

[ninerlife]

On ‎4‎/‎21‎/‎2013 at 2:50 AM, Hannock said:

Hey man, grew up in Stafford and fished the 'hannock growing up. This time of year the shad are running through Old Mill Park. You could probably throw a bare hook out and snag a few, but the Fredericksburg area is very heavily fished.  If you have a boat you can put in at City Dock and head down river and fish all the old piers along the banks.  There's a lot of good cover that fish could spawn around this time of year.  On foot I would say head north of the Rt. 1 or even I-95 bridge.  There should be a lot of bass hanging out behind rocks snatching up bait coming through the rapids.  On a warm day I'd suggest going to where they blew up the old dam years ago.  Its really pretty out there and you could wade out in the water and fish some deep spots.  

 

In my opinion though, ditch the rappahanock and fish the aquia creek.  We slayed the bass last year.  Government Island closer to Stafford is becoming a hotspot.  My buddy would kill me for giving out this information... 

realize this thread is old, but anyone know of a place to launch a kayak in aquia creek?  government island area?  just moved back here (Fredericksburg) and dying to get on the water and find a few LMB!  I have a few reservoirs right near my house (lake mooney, able reservoir, Curtis lake), but they don't seem very productive.  any tips?  thanks!

[Choporoz]

35 minutes ago, ninerlife said:

realize this thread is old, but anyone know of a place to launch a kayak in aquia creek? 

Widewater

Hope Springs

Willow Landing

Aquia Landing Park

...I don't know anything about government island area -- but if there's good yak launch area around there, please update this....I could have used it a few months ago; and maybe next year

[Brad Reams]

Rapp is running very low. 

 

go to Crows Nest on Accokeek (next to Aquia, but smaller) 

they got a nice kayak launch and it's good fishing

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/crowsnest

[Brad Reams]

long pier to the kayak launch

I drug mine down, but it's better if you got a cart or something with wheels