Rappahannock River Striper Fishing Report

POTOMAC RIVER BRIDGE – Bass action below the city is poor to just. The fish are orienting to points, dropoffs and wood structure, bordering to deeper water. Silver Buddies are the best tempt for fishing the dropoffs. Stick with water in the 13-18 foot range, with a little cover on the bottom. Shallow sand or gravel banks, with some grass close, are giving up big bass to anglers casting Rat-L-Traps and small shallow running, crayfish colored crankbaits. (charlietaylorfishing.com)

Fishing for freshwater species on the tidal Rappahannock is best from the head-of-tide at Fredericksburg downstream to Leedstown. This part of river is distinguished by forested shorelines with big river bends cutting through high banks and cliffs, and below path 301 the river opens up with broad expanses of tidal marsh. Anglers on the tidal Rappahannock can quite easily forget this river is just miles from densely populated sections of northern Virginia and Washington D. C. Consequently of its scenic beauty and an abundance of important natural resources, the tidal Rappahannock is home to The Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, one of four refuges comprising the Eastern Virginia Rivers National Wildlife Refuge Complex. (dgif.virginia.gov)

Shad and the Rappahannock. While many fish have moved well upstream of Rt 1, there are plenty on the Falmouth Flats and downstream. Orange and pink flies have been favored recently, however stick with bulky or big ones till the water clears again. Striped bass, white perch, and herring are in the mix and I have never seen so many small catfish incidentally caught on shad flies. (riverrockoutfitter.com)

– As we have been reporting over the last month, Tautog fishing remains strong. Anglers that are able to find crab for bait are doing well. Ocean wrecks are the best producers. Tilefish are willing biters also, however deeper water near the Canyon edges are the targeted regions. With Tilefish, Grouper, and Rosefish are encountered also as Seabass, however Seabass are out of season. A 220lb Bluefin Tuna was stated out of Oregon-Inlet on 2/20/16. The same charter returned with Yellowfin Tuna also. (blog.greentophuntfish.com)

Specializing in fly and light tackle fishing with fake lures and live peanut bunker on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.   Other techniques of fishing are available when requested or as conditions dictate.   As your guide, I will do whatever it takes to make a trip fun and successful.   Feel free to ask questions or look for suggestions throughout our time together.   Remember that I’m here for you. (bayflyfishing.com)

Reel Bass Adventures reports water Temperatures in the mid to upper 50s. The better bass fishing looks to be from the Occoquan south and then, bass seem to be place-particular. You may catch a bound from a 50-foot or smaller area with jerk baits, stick worms, plastic craws and chatter baits. Downed trees along creek channels continue to give up bass when fished with small, deep diving crank baits. Throw to the trees many times to get strikes. Crappie may be caught around shallow marinas but not still in great numbers. Yellow perch, white perch and bull blue gill are by-catches. (fredericksburg.com)

Lonnie from Castaway 804-706-9100 reports catfish are biting well on the freshwater side. They’re biting on cut bait and eel. Crappie are starting to pick up and are caught on small and medium minnows. Brim are hit and miss, however many are catching them using crickets. On the saltwater side, everything has slowed, however stripers are the major target. Fake bait is the go-to. It s been slow, however it should pick back up as the conditions return to normal. (richmond.com)

Herrmann says the average size for the crappies in the Gloucester County impoundment is usually around 11 inches. An abundance of black crappies in the 10- to 12-inch range fin the reservoir, and anglers who exactly target the crappie population have had decent luck with citations, having stated 11 in 2012, a total that ranked Beaverdam as the 5th-best crappie water in the state. But, in 2013, only 3 crappie citations were stated. Beaverdam Swamp Reservoir has made 124 crappie citations since January 1, 2000 to the present. These 124 crappie citations also ranks the reservoir as 5th place throughout that time period. (gameandfishmag.com)

Hey man, grew up in Stafford and fished the ‘hannock growing up. This time of year the shad are running through Old Mill Park. You could most likely throw a bare hook out and snag some, however the Fredericksburg area is heavily fished. If you have a ship you may be able to put in at City Dock and head down river and fish all the old piers along the banks. there is lots of good cover that fish could spawn around this time of year. On foot I could say head north of the Rt. 1 or I-95 bridge. There should be lots of bass hanging out behind rocks snatching up bait coming through the rapids. (bassresource.com)

I live in fish in Philly and i have never seen some one on either river with a fly rod. It may be possible to catch fish but i think you’ll be waisting your time. The ticket in the spring is blood worms and once the herring role into town sibki rig, , catch herring, , chunk. You may want to check out the wissahickon for fly fishing in the fall. If you live in center city get a bike and ride the river trail. (stripersonline.com)