Middle Rappahannock 3/30

[biglee1]

Got out for a couple hours after work yesterday with my younger brother Scott. He had only been rockfishing once and that was about 8 years ago with only one 18 inch fish to show for it. Fishing hasn't exactly been his thing and I have been determined to get him out again and catch a nice fish.

We trolled from Urbanna towards #6 with very little bait showing on the finder. Trolled inside of #6 in about 25' of water and started running into some bait. He had to be in by 5:30 and time was getting tight. Just as we were discussing the need to leave finally one of the drags started to sing. I don't think he was prepared for the fight since the last thing he remembers catching was half pound spot. He finally got the cow to the boat and it was a nice 41" fish. Caught on a white umbrella rig. A quick picture with the cell phone and fish was released with lots of life. Scott now has the bug. He informed to call him the next time I go he wants more of that!:yes:

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[ontherivah]

Wow nice fish. Tell him congrats and look at that smile. That tells it all. :thumbup:

[martineta]

That's a beauty

[gparsley]

congrats on the fish :yes:

[jwas1]

Nice fish. I have been watching gannets working the Rapp and York while my boat is on the hard in Deltaville. No good report should go without a little nitpicking. Since this is catch and release season, why not dehook the fish in the water rather than handling them for photos?

[biglee1]

jwas1, that is a good point and I do normally dehook them in the water. Given the circumstance that it was his first nice rockfish, I decided to take a picture really quick. The fish swam away with plenty of life.

[thill]

...why not dehook the fish in the water rather than handling them for photos?

Pictures of a guy's butt bent over the gunnel are just NOT attractive!