Newbie rockfishing tips needed on the Rapp

[jimmyz316]

Guys,

I am new to rockfishing on the Rapp. I just got my boat ,which is a 26' pontoon, this past spring. I have it docked in Bush creek. I have been out with a couple of guys but they have all gone out to the bay for rock. I am looking for spots in the river due to the boat I own. My other question is what lures to use and what depths to troll at.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Rebel]

Most any of the creeks on the lower Rapp will hold schoolie rockfish. Pull into the mouth of the creek & cast storm shads or gulp grubs along channel edges or rock rip rap walls. The Rt 3 bridge also holds some good fish. As the weather turns cooler, try rigging a live spot or eel on a 3-way rig & drifting it on the bottom near pilings & channel edges, that should produce some bigger fish. Also trolling stretch 20's & 25's in the main arm of the River near any sort of drop off / hole / or structure should produce as the fall sets in...Good Luck & hope this helps!!

[Double Haul]

And as the water turns colder, come straight out of Bush Park to the Northern side of the river (the deep cut) and join the boats going from the bridge back to Butlers and then back to the bridge.
Sort of a trolling merry-go-round.

While crusing the area during the winter, watch the depth finder and be alert to the bottom jumping from 40-50 feet to nothing where you know there's depth. What you're seeing is schools of bunker being pushed together by striper. Stop and cast to that... Some wonderful possibilities.

[captaingeorge]

You might also consider anchoring up and chumming. Several boats do it in that area and have good results.

[SlateDog]

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