Winter cats on the Rapp?

[rocksandblues]

I know there is a large winter catfish contingent on the James. Does anyone fish this Rapp? Anyone want to buddy boat? I am thinking of bringing my little boat up to fburg and trying around port royal

[satterly]

I know they bite good in the Piankatank. I start trying for them around the first of February and it is normally going good by the second week. Have never tried the Rapp but it is bound to hold some nice fish.

[Coan Ranger]

Be back on 2/15. Would love to buddy for cats or WP. Coan

[rocksandblues]

Glad u r using your retirement well Coan. I smell yp up here too

[rock n crab]

They bite good all winter up the Potomac around Ft. Washington...plenty of 20-40 lb fish and a few in the 50lb range...... lots of fun

[aquaman9]

The James is more popular for the big blues. The largest I have seen cought in the port Royal area is about 30lbs and many fish in the 50-60lb class on the patomic. The Rapp is not producing the real big fish as fast but there are plenty of nice ones to be caught. I fish the Rapp and put back the Bluecats when I can. We only keep for food the channel cats. Most blue cat fisherman that I talk to quit fishing at the end of April after the spawn. Good for us that like to eat the 2-3lb range channels. During the winter months I think that the Tappahannock area is a little better for eaters and from port Royal to Fredericksburg is better for hunting the Blue's

[Gettin Jiggy]

RocksandBlues,
I live on Portabago Bay down river from Port Royal, and yes there are still some nice Cats on the Rapp. After talking to the guys that really target them the say the trot liners have crushed the numbers of big cats. Anyway, that being said if you're looking for fun close to home plenty 15-20lbr's from Portabago to Little Falls (that's as far as I go). From the local Catfishing forums the James and Upper Potomac are well worth the ride too!
Berk

[mulletmatt]

I catch a lot of nice cats feb and march had 6 citation blues and one channel last year. If i can get a weekend with no snow i will be out there. I live in Fredericksburg and launch from the city dock or Little Falls.Plenty of gizzard shad around the structure near the city.