The Mighty Rappahonock

[TOXIC]

Since the Potomac has been a literal wash out for most of the year, a buddy and I decided to spend more time on the Rapp and see if we couldn't figure a little something out.  It has been a breath of fresh air fishing a body of water where, for the most part, the fish are where they are supposed to be and many times, if you get the tide and pattern right, willing to bite in numbers.  Yes, there are bigger fish on average on the Potomac but sometimes you just need to get your string pulled.  Add to that the chance to catch a good smallmouth and it is worth the time to try out.  We have gone the last 3 Saturdays to the Rapp and put in at Hopyard Landing.  Good ramp and not too busy.  Even with the rains (we got literally drenched 2 weeks ago) the water clarity has been good (much better than the Potomac) the amount of debris has been minimal and we caught fish every trip.  Most damage was done on Ned rigs or Slider Heads with a good number on weightless Senkos.  You better be a good Senko fisherman to get production there because the current and the tide can rip pretty good.  Add in some wind and it's a challenge.  We have caught Largemouth, Smallmouth, good size Bluegills, Catfish (on cranks) and even some Bowfin.  Last year I caught a Snakehead but none so far this year.  Pic is of a Senko fish last weekend that came off a broken off dead treetop lodged on a flat near a channel swing.  The good pattern has been wood near deeper water but last weekend the tide was so high that we couldn't find most of the productive lay downs we located on earlier trips.  Secondary pattern was the mouths of creeks on an outgoing tide in the creek channel where it meets the main river.  When you get tired of Potomac craziness, give the Rapp a try.  

 

 

[Choporoz]

Great report.  Thank you!

My wife and I have put our kayaks in at Hopyard when the shad are running, but never once found a bass bite.  Good to know they're there.

[gbassman519]

very nice fish, congrads

[TnRiver46]

Thanks for the post and picture, my buddy fishes that river where it goes into the ocean.

[Sam]

Toxic, is the Rapp fishable now?

 

Cleaned up from the storms and all floating debris gone?

 

Our club tournament on Buggs Island out of Rudd's Creek was cancelled by the Corps of Engineers.

 

They told us that Buggs is over pool, dirty, with lots of debris and the Rudd's Creek parking lot was flooded.

 

So they will hold our permit for either later this year or next year.

 

Last year we fished Buggs and it was dirty. I could not find any good water, even down in Eastland Creek. So I threw my three bass back and trailered the boat and went home, promising myself not to fish Buggs if it is dirty.

 

Same goes for the Rapp. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[rickyg]

I live close to the Rapp.  I doubt it's fishable with all the rain we got yesterday/last night.  It was high and a bit muddy on Friday.  You might find some water down around Tappahannock that's fishable, but I'd guess it won't be much better.  I'll get a look at it later this afternoon and let ya know for sure.

 

 

[TOXIC]

I opted out of the Rapp this weekend and went to Lake Anna instead.  I was thoroughly disappointed.  There were so many pleasure boats out it was like the middle of summer.  Ski boats, Pontoons, fishing boats and wake surfing boats galore.  There was a stiff wind and a triathlon or something at the state park that blocked off a lot of the water.  My biggest concern was the algae bloom.  There have been no-swim advisories up in the rivers all summer but I was surprised to see THICK algae down past mid lake in some of my favorite spots.  Seemed like where there was algae, there were -0- fish.  I think the almost maxed out development on the lake is taking it's toll.  We got into the most fish by drifting the drops being rocked by wind, waves and boats, throwing to pods of fish chasing bait.  Keeping in mind 1/2 of the lake was unfishable due to the wind.   Positive thing was that I got to run my boat good long distances and blow out all the carbon.  The Rapp will be my next trip after I do some maintenance on the boat.  Got to replace a part on my oiling system that has been cobbled together, my glovebox fell open on my haul to Wisconsin and broke the hinges.  Big story of the weekend came from a buddy who caught a 9.83 on the Chick.  

[TnRiver46]

3 hours ago, TOXIC said:

I opted out of the Rapp this weekend and went to Lake Anna instead.  I was thoroughly disappointed.  There were so many pleasure boats out it was like the middle of summer.  Ski boats, Pontoons, fishing boats and wake surfing boats galore.  There was a stiff wind and a triathlon or something at the state park that blocked off a lot of the water.  My biggest concern was the algae bloom.  There have been no-swim advisories up in the rivers all summer but I was surprised to see THICK algae down past mid lake in some of my favorite spots.  Seemed like where there was algae, there were -0- fish.  I think the almost maxed out development on the lake is taking it's toll.  We got into the most fish by drifting the drops being rocked by wind, waves and boats, throwing to pods of fish chasing bait.  Keeping in mind 1/2 of the lake was unfishable due to the wind.   Positive thing was that I got to run my boat good long distances and blow out all the carbon.  The Rapp will be my next trip after I do some maintenance on the boat.  Got to replace a part on my oiling system that has been cobbled together, my glovebox fell open on my haul to Wisconsin and broke the hinges.  Big story of the weekend came from a buddy who caught a 9.83 on the Chick.  

It's unbelievable how many of that size come out of there. Or did you mean chickahominy not chickamauga??

[TOXIC]

Chickahominy river here in Virginia.  He locked through and fished the lake on Sunday.  The river on Saturday.  Big fish was out of the river.  

[TnRiver46]

On 9/24/2018 at 11:11 AM, TOXIC said:

Chickahominy river here in Virginia.  He locked through and fished the lake on Sunday.  The river on Saturday.  Big fish was out of the river.  

Gotcha thanks. 9plus is a monster for anywhere