Shenandoah River

[BassObsessed]

While on vacation with the wifey, I went out on the Shenandoah river with a guide. The water was lower than normal as the guide had to keep getting out and pushing us off the rocks in the canoe.I was throwing wacky worms, swimjigs and a 5'' grub on a jighead. I heard the water was clear but didn't get the full effect till I was there. I caught about a dozen smallmouth . All were small except for a 3lber that did the classic smallmouth move..soon as I set the hook he jumped right outta the water and shook off. We saw some big bass swim under the boat in a deep pocket we were in but couldn't get any bait near them as they were going by. Definitely something to try again.

 

 

 

[Kevin Beachy]

What part of the Shenodoah is this?

[BassObsessed]

We launched out of Luray. I don't remember the exact area except it was the south fork.

[Steveo-1969]

I wade fish the Shenandoah in West Virginia a couple times a year.  Beautiful river!

[BassObsessed]

Yes it is. I wish it was more local to me.

[Kevin Beachy]

We launched out of Luray. I don't remember the exact area except it was the south fork.

You were about precisely 30min from my place.

[BassObsessed]

Wish I knew, we could of met up. You have nice scenery in your area.

[riverbasser13]

Nice shots looks like a fun trip and great scenery.

[Kevin Beachy]

Wish I knew, we could of met up. You have nice scenery in your area.

Sure do!!! I just love VA. Where do you live

[Choporoz]

Headed to Stephens City for the weekend. May look into spots to bank fish the area Saturday. Thanks for the notes and pics. We love that area, but have never fished there

[BassObsessed]

I live in Delaware. It's pretty flat here.

[Kevin Beachy]

I love the flat land!

[WDinarte]

Nice, Shenandoah is a great river with good fishing spots... but you have the delaware river and aroung the " Delaware gap " I was canoeing one time and looks to be some great places for fishing too. Do you fish the Del. River ?

[BassObsessed]

I live a mile from the De. river but the smallmouth fishing isn't as good as it is further north into Pa. Haven't been to the Delaware water gap but it's almost as far away as the Shenandoah river is from here.

[Choporoz]

Spent most of Saturday on the Shenandoah and had an absolute blast!  Wife and I rented a canoe from Front Royal Canoe Co.  For less than $50 they dropped us, canoe and gear about 3-4 miles upstream from their outfit.  We paddled about a 1/3 mile further upstream at their recommendation.  Below the first upstream rapids from the launch, we started hauling in smallies almost immediately.  It was our first time on a river and first time fishing for SMB.  For not knowing the water, we did pretty well.  No count, but in the dozens.   Nearly all on senkos and Rage Cut-R's.  Nothing for the record books, but a great time.  Had to be back to FRCC at 6:30 --- we were still catching fish at 6:29 as we dragged the canoe up onto the rocks. 

FRCC was a top-notch outfit - we'll be going back.

[BassObsessed]

Glad to hear you had a good outing. Did you get hung up on the rocks alot? We got stuck alot just south of Luray.

[Choporoz]

I think there were three times that we didn't pick best path through the 'rapids' and I had to stick one foot in the water to push off the rocks. Warm day and I was wearing sandals. It wasn't much of a problem. If we go back when it gets cooler, I'll need to figure something better

[dannyv]

My brothers and some friends and I come camp in Rileyville every year and canoe / fish the south fork for a couple of days.  We camp south of Front Royal, about 15 minutes north of Luray.  (Also coming down from Delaware coincendentally!). 

 

Just wondering if any of the locals had tips on best lures to use for late September / early October fishing (spinning, not fly fishing).  We have had a lot of luck with small spinners with skirted tubes, usually a yellow/white combo works.  We catch a lot of smaller fish, my buddy did pull out a pretty big smallmouth in the deep water just past what we call the Compton rapids (I'm sure that's probably not the real name) in front of the huge rock wall.

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated!  I am a saltwater fisherman most of the time, along with largemouth bass, so I have a lot to learn about catching river smallies.

 

Thanks!

Danny

[BassObsessed]

I'm sure there are alot of lures that work that I didn't use but I had decent luck with a 5'' grub on a jighead and wacky worms. Hopefully the locals will give some tips on fishing there .

[DCales84]

I live in the Strasburg Va area and the Shenandoah can be a very fun place to fish. Whenever you get back this way all you need are simple lures to have a great day. If the water level is good and the temp is up you can fish nothing but top water all day and easily catch 30-40 smaller fish mostly smallies and blue gills. I landed my personal best smallie earlier this season in the Shenandoah and it weighed in just under 3.5lbs. A tournament held in March produced a limit over 20lbs from the Riverton area so nice fish are here just not in huge numbers. I'll do a quick list of what we usually in my area.

 

Poppers (smallest and mid size Rebel Pop R)

Zara Puppy

Grubs rigged on a VMC Rugby jig (Zoom Fat Alberts fit perfect on a 1/8oz VMC Rugby Jig)

Curly tail worms in natural colors (Berkley Havoc or Powerbait)

3-4" Senko

Rapala XRap's (Hot pink, glass ghost, or olive green)  

KVD 1.0 (bluegill and any red or orange craw colors)

Tube baits (Personal best was caught on a Cabin Creek 3.5" green pumpkin tube)

 

[Choporoz]

Spent most of Saturday on the Shenandoah and had an absolute blast!  Wife and I rented a canoe from Front Royal Canoe Co.  For less than $50 they dropped us, canoe and gear about 3-4 miles upstream from their outfit.  We paddled about a 1/3 mile further upstream at their recommendation.  Below the first upstream rapids from the launch, we started hauling in smallies almost immediately.  It was our first time on a river and first time fishing for SMB.  For not knowing the water, we did pretty well.  No count, but in the dozens.   Nearly all on senkos and Rage Cut-R's.  Nothing for the record books, but a great time.  Had to be back to FRCC at 6:30 --- we were still catching fish at 6:29 as we dragged the canoe up onto the rocks. 

FRCC was a top-notch outfit - we'll be going back.

Did this same trip again this past weekend.  I can't say enough about FRCC.  We had a blast.  Numbers weren't as good as last time, but a couple big ones made up for it.  Bigger ones on jerk baits; numbers on worms; shakey, ned, trig...didn't seem to matter much.

[everythingthatswims]

You were about precisely 30min from my place.

well why do you bother with those farm ponds? South fork is GREAT

[Kevin Beachy]

well why do you bother with those farm ponds? South fork is GREAT

I have no way to get there! 

[CeeJay]

I'm going to really miss the Shenandoah River when I move to Colorado in a few months.

Here's a sad fact, I moved into my current house upstream from Harpers Ferry in 2008.  The river is a mere 3 miles away from my house.

Yet I didn't start fishing the 'Doah until this past spring!  For a variety of reasons (health, etc) I stopped fishing when I moved to WV.

 

Anyway a great river with stunning scenery and I'll always remember it...as well as my first Smallie caught right here just down the road.

Fishing the Shenandoah this spring/summer has improved my health, given me a new perspective on angling (fishing in current), and landed me a few of my new favorite bass...river Smallmouth

[Fmarhx]

I'm heading to Shenandoah River with my friend this weekend. He has fished there many times but he said I can launch my bass boat at this location. Many people do. So I'll checkout out.