I was thinking about trying out the Rappahannock River this weekend for the first time and was looking for any advice. My plan was to launch from Little Falls and do some bass/junk fishing up and down stream from there. I have heard it gets treacherous closer to the city docks so I probably won't go too far up stream. One person said that area below city docks is snakehead territory..??.. that isn't my preferred fishing, but would be willing to help rid the world of a few snakeheads. How much do the tides fluctuate there? I have aquia creek experience, so I am already planning my trip around the tides (if they have that much affect).

 

Honestly, the ultimate goal is to find an area where I can get away from a few people on a weekend and it looks like the Rappahannock is long enough where I could find some space. If a few fish accidentally run into my lure than that would be a bonus.

 

Any tips or warnings would be appreciated. Even species to target... I am completely in the dark and its hard to find info for this stretch of river.  

Good luck trying to stay away from anyone. The river from the city dock down to little falls is skinny. Like throw a rock across skinny(if you have a good arm). Bass fishing is good from the city dock and down. Occasionally you can hook up with some smallmouth. There are snakeheads between the rt1 bridge and rt3 bridges.(only place I've caught 1) But if they are there they are everywhere.  Make sure you get a map, and pay attention where to where your going. Between little falls and the rt 3 bridge there is a lot of submerged stuff. The shad are running right now too. Those are always fun to catch.  If you get the chance, stop by Kens bait and tackle on Lafayette Blvd and they can give you the best info on what they are hitting on. And as always be safe! 

Tides can fluctuate as much as 4-5 ft by the city dock. Haven't measured or anything. But looking at the high water mark, that's what it looks like to me. Not fun to load your boat at low tide. Lol