how big do the rockfish get in the rapp ???

[SUNDAWG]

first year trolling the rapp was wondering what has been the norm for rock in the past in the river. Do the big boys come up in the river or mostly the bay area shipping channel .any help would be greatly appreciated. family coming from out of town and would love to get them hooked up with bubba. thanks

[capt. dave]

SUNDOG, it all depends on the time of year. Since big rocks go up the rivers to spawn, you can find them in the early spring. They also come in the late fall as well. If you have a boat big enough to fish the Bay in the late fall, you will probably find more large fish out in the Bay. Keep watching on the TF boards, look at the local papers, listen to channels 68 and 6 on the VHF, and pay attention to any other reports you can find to keep informed about where they are. When you are out there watch for a flock of Gannets diving into the water and troll around the edge of the school. Use lures and weights that will run at various depths so you cover the water column. Join the Northern Neck Anglers Club.

[Bob G]

I've caught some nice fish up to 20 lbs. out of the Rapp in the fall, and the years I did the fish were dripping sea lice, indicating they had come up from the ocean. I think what one of the other members (warrenhaus?) said on a posting a couple of weeks ago makes good sense. When an abundance of bait moving out of the rivers and Bay coincides with the fish coming down from DL/NJ. we get good striper fishing in the Rapp and middle Bay. This looks like it may be a good year, as there's still lots of bait around and the coming cold front may move more of the fish down soon. Let's hope so!

[creekster]

Sundawg-- Wanna know how BIG they can get in the Rapp? Mid-winter, after the rec. season is closed, I warched a comm. waterman (gillnetter) unload his day's catch: a dozen rock , smallest about 15 lbs. a bunch about 20 -25 lbs. and one BIG MOMMA at 59lbs ! Looked like it had a basketball for a head, it was so huge. Largest I know of caught in the Rapp. during rec. season is 25lbs. or so.[grin]

[rappahanockman]

There are no Stripers in the Rapp.!
Move along..........nothing to see here[wink]

[saltyfly]

I am well aware that there are no stripers in the Rapp, but I am an avid birdwatcher and am looking for gannets that like to fly in groups. Has anyone seen them in the Rapp? What about around windmill? I sometimes travel with small fishing rods, but they are just for show, I promise not to troll or drive my boat through the feeding birds as not to disturb them. [angel][wink]

[capt. dave]

Salty, since there are no rocks in the Rapp, try out by bouy 59A and up to the Asphalt pile. You might even see some cute little birdies over on the other side below buoy 62. Another place where those little winged dive bombers have been seen is near buoy 54. Take a few pics for the kids to take to show and tell.

[Boomerang]

The biggest striper I've ever caught on the Rappahannock was an 18 pounder@ Towels Point...well to be honest GWCPA on here caught it,but we were on my boat,at least!
David Taylor out of Topping caught a 55" whopper around the White Stone Bridge about 10 years ago,if my memory serves me correctly.

[capt. dave]

Darn it, I took the trip I outlined a post or two above. We got skunk all over us.