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New member, Rappahannock/James info?

1K views 16 replies 5 participants last post by  TMANN 
#1 ·
Howdy all,
New member in Fredericksburg, looking for information on fishing the rappahanock down in port royal area, is it any good there? I know up by Fredericksburg it is rubbish. Or should I just make the trip down to Richmond town? I have a boat, any advice on spots to fish at either location? Complete newbie to catfishing
 
#2 ·
I fish hicks landing to the bluffs there at horse head. It's good through there. But if your truly after monster trophy 30+ consistently you should work the James. As the Rapp just isn't trophy fish consistent. But don't be fooled 15-30lb fish are readily avaiable. I fished cut eels on the Rapp because this is before I got my gill net. Not sure if more trophy fish are available off if gizzards shad I have yet to fish there since acquiring my gill net... It's just easier for me to get to the James. If you live that close to the the Rapp your not going to be disappointed in the fish but you may get bitten and spoiled by James once you learn the tricks for quality fish. I would invest in a gill net as for me 10 and 20+ dollar bait trips added up easily.
 
#4 ·
Got a 16 Carolina skiff, and an 18 open back/closed bow type deal that I still need to tinker with some more. And I would be absolutely thrilled with 15-30# fish . That'd be a heck of a day for me, not really after monsters, just some semi-consistent action. And that part of the rapp isn't substantially closer to me than the James, but I sure do enjoy that drive and area much more than Richmond.
 
#5 ·
I use hicks landing when I go that way there at betty inn on rt.17 what i have found at the rappahannock is alot of action and at times have caught 12+ fish an hour. Bit like I said that's off eel and not gizzards shad. I found horse head point to be my most productive spot... not meaning it truly is it just was for me. It's about 15mi downstream from hicks. That's as far as I would go downriver.
 
#8 ·
Was anchor only and not drifting yeah the usual deep holes and bends I have just fished the 301 Bridge once. was garbage the one time I was there I lost all my Rigs and when I tried to leave almost lost my anchor. I have no idea how to catch eels consistantly I was buying that Ken's tackle but when they closed I went to catfish Kelly store that's why it was adding up. The Gill net a $120 was easy money to spend after spending $20 each trip out on eels
 
#9 ·
I hear there's a lot of wood piles up past Hopyard Landing haven't fish that area much I just mainly fish three or four bends right there between Hicks landing and horse head. Make sure use a good chartplotter as the shoals can get kind of dangerous. And only a 16-foot skiff if the wind starts blowing more than 15 miles an hour you might as well not go cuz they can get 2 to 3 foot chops especially after 301 bridge.
 
#11 ·
Got it, really appreciate the info. Now I just gotta get out there and start trying! Gotta get a depth finder setup first though. Also I've seen the electrofishing mentioned a bunch, these are commercial guys? And does that happen in the rapp or no? See lots of posts of these guys taking the blame for poor fishing in the James
 
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