5.0(1 Reviews)Fish in the Rappahannock River | 6 Hour Charter Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Sixhour weekend charter targeting Speckled Trout and Redfish.Launch from Yankee Point or Norview Marina based on conditions.Small group experience accommodates maximum two guests.
Looking for a world-class inshore fishing adventure that'll have you talking about it for months? This 6-hour weekend charter on the Lower Rappahannock River is where serious anglers come to chase speckled trout and redfish in some of Virginia's most productive coastal waters. Captain Kris Johnson knows these flats like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish while teaching you the techniques that'll make you a better angler. With departures from either Yankee Point Marina or Norview Marina depending on conditions, you're guaranteed the best shot at landing your target species. Just remember to pack your sunscreen, snacks, and layers – Virginia weather can change as fast as the tides, and you'll want to stay comfortable during those hot afternoon bites.
This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip – it's a hands-on education in reading water, understanding fish behavior, and mastering the art of inshore angling. Captain Kris picks your launch point based on real-time conditions, which means you're always fishing where the action is hottest. The Lower Rappahannock's grass flats and creek mouths hold incredible numbers of speckled trout and redfish, especially during the cooler months when these fish stack up in predictable patterns. You'll spend your day working different structures – from shallow grass beds where reds cruise looking for crabs to deeper channel edges where specks suspend waiting for baitfish. The trip is designed for just two anglers, so you get personalized attention and plenty of rod time. Don't worry if you're new to saltwater fishing – Captain Kris has a knack for breaking down complex techniques into simple, repeatable methods that'll serve you well long after your trip ends.
The Lower Rappahannock requires a different approach than open ocean fishing, and that's where Captain Kris's local knowledge really shines. You'll be using light tackle setups perfectly matched to these waters – typically 7-foot medium-action rods paired with spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound braided line. The techniques vary based on what the fish are telling you that day. When the specks are active, you might be working soft plastics on 1/4-ounce jigheads around grass edges, feeling for that telltale thump that means dinner's on the line. For redfish, it's often about sight casting to tailing fish in skinny water, using topwater plugs or weedless spoons that won't hang up in the vegetation. Captain Kris provides all the gear you need, but he's also happy to show you how to rig your own tackle and explain why certain lures work better in specific conditions. The goal isn't just to catch fish – it's to understand the water well enough that you can come back and replicate the success on your own.
"Capt. Kris Johnson exceeded my expectations for the planned guided fishing trip as I am not too familiar with saltwater fishing. He has the credentials, experience, local connections, friendly attitude, and willingness to help teach an old dog new tricks. Main goal was for providing an opportunity for my son Andrew to learn ways in lower tidal rivers and areas to catch saltwater species or his bucket list fish. The time of year at the location yielded speckled trout and we surely caught many trout. We were expecting maybe a few bites, but Kris really showed us ways to keep on top of them. I believe Andrew will be able to come back with his boat in the future and replicate methods learned from Kris. The quality of the fish caught surpassed our expectations. We learned that speckled trout is one of our favorite species to cook at home. Throughout the day Kris was safe, kind, helpful teaching, organized, timely, and respectful. I look forward to booking more trips with him in the future." - Andrew Peter
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Lower Rappahannock fishing, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted flanks are incredibly fun to catch and absolutely delicious on the table. In the Rappahannock system, specks typically run 14-20 inches, with the occasional trophy pushing 24 inches or better. They're most active during the cooler months from October through April, when they school up in deeper holes and around structure. What makes them so exciting to target is their aggressive nature – when you find one speck, you've usually found a school. They'll hammer soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom, but they're also suckers for topwater action during low-light periods. The key to consistent speckled trout fishing here is understanding their seasonal movements and how they relate to grass beds, channel edges, and temperature breaks.
Redfish bring a completely different kind of excitement to your Rappahannock adventure. These bronze-backed bruisers are renowned for their bulldogging fights and their willingness to eat just about anything that looks like food. In these waters, most reds run 18-27 inches – perfect slot-sized fish that provide maximum sport. Unlike specks, redfish are year-round residents that you can target in any season, though they're most cooperative during spring and fall when they're actively feeding in preparation for seasonal moves. What gets anglers hooked on redfish is their versatility – you might catch them tailing in two feet of water at sunrise, then find them schooled up over oyster bars that same afternoon. They're opportunistic feeders that respond well to cut bait, live shrimp, and a variety of artificials. The visual aspect of redfish angling – actually seeing the fish before you cast – adds an element that keeps even experienced anglers coming back for more.
The Lower Rappahannock River consistently produces some of Virginia's best inshore fishing, an
The 19-foot Triton TX-186 bass boat cuts through Lower Rappahannock waters with authority, powered by a reliable 150HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fish fast. Built for serious angling, this 2001 hull handles Virginia's inshore conditions like a champ while keeping just 2 anglers aboard for plenty of elbow room. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating speckled trout and redfish haunts, while GPS navigation ensures we're always on the productive water. Whether we're working shallow grass beds or deeper channel edges, this boat's 50-knot top speed means more time with lines wet and less time running between spots. Perfect setup for targeting those reds and specks that make the Rappahannock such prime fishing territory.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers of our shallow waters, easily spotted by their distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Around here, most run 20-35 inches and put up one heck of a fight - they'll make several strong runs that'll test your drag. Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster beds, grass flats, and creek bends where they root for crabs and shrimp. They bite best on moving tides, especially incoming water that brings fresh food. The meat is firm with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when you spot them tailing in shallow water, cast your bait well ahead of where they're moving and let it settle - they spook easily but the reward is worth the patience.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are what we're really after here in the Rappahannock - beautiful silvery fish with distinctive black spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love our grass flats and shallow waters, especially around structure like oyster bars and creek mouths. Best bite happens during moving water on the incoming tide when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them special is their delicate white meat - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. They're also scrappy fighters that'll give you several good runs. My local tip: work your soft plastics slow and low around the grass edges during early morning or late evening when they're most aggressive.
5.0 out of 5.0Capt. Kris Johnson exceeded my expectations for the planned guided fishing trip as I am not too familiar with saltwater fishing. ...
Virginia