Hopyard Landing

[nazbom]

Has anyone used the Hopyard Landing boat ramp to launch into the Rapp?  If so how does it compare to Little Falls in reference to ease of use, slope out of the water and legth of the ramp?  Just tryng to get some info before I venture there and pass Little falls if it is not a better ramp. 

 

Thanks in adavance for the help!

[Sam]

Nope.

 

Give it a try and let us know.

 

By the way, please make sure you have:

1.  A float cushion in plain sight in the boat.

2.  Your boater safety course card.

3.  Up to date fire extinguisher.

4.  No flare guns if you venture into Maryland waters.

 

Never been stopped on the Potomac but there is always a first time.

 

Get that GMCO map of the Tidal Potomac and you can note all the places to launch.

 

Be safe and remember, sometimes it is best to do your own recon of the ramps before taking the boat. A very good investment of your time.

[BigJim]

It's been a few years since i've been there, but from what I remember, it was very much like little falls. the dock is bigger but the ramp is still steep and the dock is very tall and not easy if you need to step off the dock into your boat. I've never had much luck in either of those sections of the Rapp. I prefer to put in out on 301. It's a little bit of a drive but the fishing is much better IMO.

[nazbom]

I'd like to take my father in law on the rapp but depending on the tide the pier at little falls can be daunting and with his knees there's no way. A couple outings ago I was pulling my boat out at low tide (about 1' on depth finder at ramp yikes) and with the previous traffic and mud I spun my tires pretty good getting the boat out. I made it off the ramp and was sweating a little cause I only have a 2WD truck.

I have had really good luck on the Rapp over the years on the Fred to Port Royal stretch of the river. Enough to keep coming back! Although I didn't fish there a whole lot after the post dam removal days and only started back up recently. I caught quite a few last Sunday with two real nice in size! Posted some pics in my profile camera roll. I read that the Concerned Bass Anglers of Virginia recently introduced a large number of Largemouth Bass fingerlings in the Rapp from the Port Royal down stretch of the river!! They did the same at the Chicahominy several years back an that is an awesome fishery now!

Anyway, I may do a scouting mission to Hopyard this weekend to see if it is worth the drive there while passing Little Falls. I'll post my findings to help others if I do make it there.

BigJim, thanks for the info and the eyes on experience. When you say you put in at 301 are you referring to the Port Royal ramp? Have you tried Hicks landing? It's a little Podunk ramp (or at least was back when I used it) but it splits the difference from driving all the way to Port Royal. Are you also targeting the Bass as well? The Rapp, in my opinion, gets overlooked a bit since it's overshadowed by some other close and good fishing spots.

Again I really appreciate the responses and would appreciate any more input if anyone else had used Hopyard Landing. If I can make it out there this weekend to scope I out I will let everyone know as well.

Thanks.

[BigJim]

Yeah. the ramp that's at the seafood restaurant. I have been to hicks landing, but my boat is pretty slow so it's a bit of a ride to my spot from there. I also read about the bass stocking and if it ends up like the Chicahominy that will be awesome. 

[endless]

I have no ideal about the other ramp but Hopyard is a pretty good ramp. I had not one bit of trouble with my 14' jonboat  behind my Corolla. I like the scenery around Hopyard as well. Go left allot of nice docks, right nice duck blinds. I haven't been there this year or even out at all. So might be some more blinds out.