Kid Friendly Rock Fishing

[huntnfowlII]

I'm looking for recommendations on Kid friendly Rock Fishing in the bay during the summer months. I have three children 7, 9 & 11 that I want to take fishing on day trips to the Bay during the months of June and July. I have a 24 foot boat and have Rock Fished the CBBT area in the fall and winter with good success casting, trolling and eeling. I have not taken my kids to the CBBT because the trips are usually multi day, during the week and the weather is unpredictable.

I live in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area and my range for trailering my boat, for day trips, would be from the Potomac down to the Northern Neck, Virginia (Reedsville) and the Rappahannock are.

Please provide guidance on when (i.e. early June, late July etc.- /incoming/outgoing tide - early morning bite etc.), where (I don't need GPS coordinates - general area) and fishing technique (casting, chumming, live lining etc.) you would recommend that would have a good chance for the kids to get into some Rock Fish action.



Thanks JB

[Phishphinder]

Think rockfish season ends in june... you may be better targeting Reds, Blue's, flounder, spanyards.... Croaker is alway good for kids.... also your looking at maybe some cobia in july

[gunnboat2]

Rock open in MD waters till Dec. (potomac & MD bay waters-see REGS) the mid/late summer action will be hit & miss.
anchoring up in a good area w/ a chum bag & rods in it will be one of the best ways However "hit or miss here" depanding where the fish are
Recomend bottom fishing for those kids. My girls are now 15 & 12 & can't stand to troll or "search" for big fish, They LOVE the bottom fishing action. they'll fish till all the bait is gone! Trolling in early am & late eve. couple hrs. with kids is ok as long as the get to drive the boat(lol)

[Wicked Addiction]

My success and effort usually tails off on rockfish in the summer because the spanish mackerel and bluefish has been awesome the last few years and I switch to them. If you want to try rocks, I might suggest putting in at Lewisetta and heading out towards the NW Middle Grounds. Nice ledge 18-22 feet that drops deep. A good chum slick might draw a few in but be prepared for blues. In late July/Aug I would troll some Clarks on #1 planer on the way out as there are zones at the mouth of the river/Smith Point were you will light up the macks and blues. I use pretty light tackle to troll with which makes the fishing more enjoyable to me. (My charter boat friend is sure I'm going to break my light rods with the planers!) Enjoy and I hope the kids have a blast!:thumbup:

[Singletjeff]

My charter boat friend is sure I'm going to break my light rods with the planers!)

Have ever tried running lines off planers attached to the boat like you would a side planer? I found a site last fall online that showed how to set it up. I plan on trying that this year to avoid the strain on the ligher rods...Just a thought

[Scott_nra]

Chumming the middlegrounds in the summer will get you rocks. Find some fish with the fish finder first and toss some chum with a spoon before you even anchor up. Keep it going with a scoop or bucket and you should get plenty of action. Yes, You might get into some nice blues too. If you do, you'll need spider wire or power pro for your leader.

[Wicked Addiction]

If you have a link to the side planer hook-up I'd love to see it. Always looking for a good way to use light tackle. Rgds