Join Goober Time Guide Service for a successful Lake Chesdin multi-species trolling trip! We targeted crappie and white perch, landing 28 fish in total using Catch the Fever rods and custom crankbait rigs. Whether you’re looking for a fresh dinner or a fun day on the lake, our guided trips offer the perfect experience. Read the full report and book your adventure today.

As the James River warms, a major shift happens beneath the surface. While "the spawn" brings excitement, it also brings a responsibility to protect our trophy fishery. Learn about the biology of the Blue Catfish spawn, our "Conservation First" philosophy, and why mid-May to June is the perfect time to pivot toward high-action Flathead trips in the rapids and multi-species adventures. Discover how we balance the pursuit of a tight line with the stewardship of the river we cal

Summer patterns are officially locked in! Follow along with Goober Time Guide Service as we host a crew from central Virginia for an action-packed multi-species morning charter. Despite changing water conditions and heavy rain upstream, the team put on a clinic—landing an impressive 22-fish total that included a massive crappie rally, white perch, largemouth bass, and a hard-fighting channel catfish. Read the full report to get the breakdown on our trolling tactics and the pr

A slow start on the water turned into a 22-fish morning on Lake Chesdin! Discover how a quick tactical pivot to a staggered crankbait spread—mixing Arkie 220s and Bandit 300s—completely unlocked a firing late-morning crappie and white perch bite for a crew of Richmond locals. Read the full report for exact water conditions, depths, and gear tactics.

Birthday Blues & Trophy Success! 🎣 What’s better than a birthday on the water? We hosted Victoria and Lisa from Henrico, VA, for a morning of big river action. Despite the pre-spawn lull, we managed to land a 28lb trophy Blue Catfish using AlphaBoardz planer boards and the new Catch the Fever Ravix rods. Check out the full report to see how we handled a tough bait bite and what we’re targeting next as the summer multispecies season kicks off!

Our first kayak guide trip of the year was a major success! Regular guest Oliver Rader joined Captain Dan for a 4-hour masterclass in kayak control and multi-species trolling. Despite a "long-distance release" early on, Oliver landed 12 fish, including his first-ever Crappie and Chain Pickerel. With water temps hitting 68°F, the bite is officially on. Read the full report to see our species breakdown and tips for spring trolling in the creeks!

What happens when the water hits the magic 70-degree mark on Chickahominy Lake? The panfish go on a tear. On April 25, Goober Time Guide Service hosted a crew from Newland, NC, for a day of non-stop action. From trolling crankbaits to long-lining jigs, we covered multiple creeks to put 59 fish in the boat. With rising temps and steady pressure, the crappie and shellcracker were stacked. Read the full report for our location breakdown and final cooler weight!

The river demanded a sacrifice, but she paid back in trophies! From a 15 lb birthday catch to a 41 lb 'Certified Goober' that buried a planer board, Jenny’s birthday trip with Dave and Dany was one for the books. Despite losing a monster in the 50 lb class, the crew landed 110 lbs of hard-fighting Blue Cats under the sunset. Read the full breakdown of our April 22nd session, including water temps, tactics, and the chaos of a mud-flat double-up.

Joshua & Michael smashed PBs on the James River, landing 170 lbs of blue cats including a 45 lb trophy! Check out the full night report.

Celebrate on the James River with Goober Time Guide Service! We rang in Sawyer’s 12th birthday with 20 fish, including a massive 24lb Flathead that put up a 15-minute fight on the mud flats. From fast-paced white perch jigging to landing heavy Blue Cats under the Richmond sunset, the bite was on fire. Check out our full report for the latest water temps, weather conditions, and stats from an unforgettable evening trip. Tight lines and big heads!

Persistence is the name of the game on the James River! Join Goober Time Guide Service as we recap an 8-hour marathon with Tim and Mark from Ohio. From the heartbreak of losing a 30 lb monster in the motor to the shock of landing a trophy 5 lb Largemouth Bass, this trip had it all. Witness how we navigated the mud flats and utilized suspend drifting to help our guests land multiple personal bests and complete the "James River Trifecta"—tagging a Blue, Channel, and Flathead ca

The James River continues to prove why it is the premier destination for trophy catfish in the country. This past week, Goober Time Guide Service had the pleasure of hosting Craig, William, Jacob, and Chris from Hampton, VA , for a day that defined "river variety." From massive blue cats to hard-hitting striped bass, the river was alive and well. The Morning Spread: Fresh Bait is Key We started the morning early, securing a premium "charcuterie board" for the fish. We loade

Three anglers, three Personal Bests! From fresh hickory shad bait to high-speed action in the upriver currents, Jerry, Shawn, and George joined Goober Time Guide Service for an unforgettable day on the James River. Read the full report to see how we landed 86.5 lbs of fish—including a trophy 25.5 lb Blue Catfish and a rare 14.2 lb Flathead—plus our go-to tactics for drifting channel ledges.

The evening bite on the James River is officially on! Goober Time Guide Service recently put the Stoneville crew on a "drag-screaming" clinic, landing 14 fish including a 44lb Blue Catfish and a 26lb Trophy Flathead. From tactical shifts on the mud flats to landing a 31lb giant on a 38-inch "baby rod," the action was nonstop. Ready to hunt your own Virginia trophy? Check out our latest report and see why the James is the place to be this spring!

It was a pleasure welcoming back Dara and Oliver for another adventure with Goober Time Guide Service . There is nothing quite like the James River in the spring—the river is alive, the migratory fish are moving, and the catfish are hungry. We covered a lot of water on this trip, transitioning from the fast-paced action of the fall line to the steady pull of the mud flats. Here is the breakdown of our day on the water. Starting with the Bait Run We kicked things off near the

What’s better than a 10th birthday? A 10th birthday spent landing a multispecies "grand slam" on Chickahominy Lake! From trolling for slabs to working the creeks for largemouth bass and shellcrackers, Dean and his family had a non-stop day of action. Check out the full report to see the final species count and how we filled the cooler for a family fish fry.

Spring on the James River is a world-class experience, but catching a "blue donkey," a trophy flathead, or a hard-hitting striped bass starts with the right bait. In this guide, Goober Time Guide Service breaks down the top three baits for each species this season—from fresh hickory shad to live bluegill—and exactly how to catch your own bait to keep the lines tight.

Don’t let the "one that got away" be the theme of your next trip. At Goober Time Guide Service, we’ve spent hundreds of days on the water testing the toughest gear so you don’t have to. From high-torque winches for heavy current to finesse bumping reels for precision bait-walking, check out our 2026 breakdown of the best catfishing reels for every budget and style.

Looking to master the James River this spring? As the water warms, the river transforms into a premier destination for Striped Bass, White Perch, and the river’s famous titans: Blue and Flathead Catfish. This guide breaks down the essential gear, seasonal migratory patterns, and safety tips you need to navigate the tidal currents and rocky fall lines of Richmond.

Chris, Chris, and Timmy joined us for an unforgettable first trip on the James River! From catching fresh gizzard shad to battling heavy current, the action was steady. The day peaked with two massive "Trophy Club" entries—weighing in at 44 lbs and 46 lbs—plus a few hard-fighting 20lb blues. Read the full report to see how we pivoted our strategy to find the big ones!