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Premier James River Catfish & Multi-Species Fishing Charters in Richmond, VA
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FISHING REPORTS


Lake Chesdin Multi-Species Trolling Trip | Goober Time Guide Service
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.

Captain Dan Szajta
Jun 123 min read


Lake Chesdin Fishing Report: Spring Multi-Species Trolling Trip
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.

Captain Dan Szajta
May 234 min read


Birthday Trophy Blue Catfish | Goober Time Guide Service Fishing Report
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!

Captain Dan Szajta
May 44 min read


Chickahominy Lake Fishing Report: Spring Panfish Slam
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!

Captain Dan Szajta
Apr 263 min read


Mid-April Monsters: Father-Son Night Raid on the James River
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.

Captain Dan Szajta
Apr 213 min read


James River Trophy Catfish Report: 62lb & 41lb Blue Cat PBs!
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

Captain Dan Szajta
Apr 133 min read


Springing Into Action: Blue Catfish and Shad Runs on the James River
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

Captain Dan Szajta
Apr 63 min read


Trophy Flathead and Blue Catfish: A "Bucket List" Day on the James River
Looking for a "bucket list" experience on the James River? Check out our latest report! From a massive 55lb trophy Blue Catfish to a hard-fighting 30.5lb Flathead, Josh and Elizabeth from West Virginia had a day they won't soon forget. Between a "triple up" hookset and some prehistoric Bowfin action on the mudflats, the Richmond riverfront delivered in a big way. Read the full breakdown of our most recent adventure with Goober Time Guide Service.

Captain Dan Szajta
Apr 23 min read


Spring Fever on the James: A Complete Guide to James River Fishing
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.

Captain Dan Szajta
Mar 183 min read


Big Blues & Personal Bests: James River Blue Trophy Catfishing Report
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!

Captain Dan Szajta
Mar 23 min read


Catching Gizzard Shad with a Gill Net: Floating vs Sinking
Success on the James River starts long before you cast a line for Blue Cats—it starts with the bait. In this guide, Goober Time Guide Service breaks down the "Golden Rule" of fresh Gizzard Shad and the critical gear shift you need to make between seasons. Learn why choosing between a floating and sinking gill net is the difference between a full cooler and a long, empty day on the water.

Captain Dan Szajta
Feb 165 min read


Stop Guessing: How to Locate Active Feeding Catfish
Tired of staring at a motionless rod? Stop the guessing game and learn the repeatable formula for locating trophy catfish. From tracking bait balls with electronics to mastering "feeding shelves" and current seams, this guide from Goober Time Guide Service breaks down the professional tactics you need to stop "fishing" and start "catching."

Captain Dan Szajta
Jan 63 min read


James River Fishing Charter: Landing Trophy Blue Catfish & New Personal Bests
The rods were screaming! 🎣 Relive a massive day on the James River where we landed multiple trophy blue catfish, including a 40lb beauty in the shallows. Learn how we transitioned from deep holes to planer boards to keep the bite alive and helped our clients land their biggest fish yet.

Captain Dan Szajta
Jan 53 min read
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