Captain Dan Szajta

Don't let the chilly air fool you. For serious anglers, winter on the James River  isn't an offseason—it's the season for catching the biggest, most concentrated Blue Catfish  in Virginia. As the water temperature drops, the giants of the James abandon their summer haunts and gather in predictable "wintering holes," offering an unparalleled opportunity for a trophy catch. Here is your essential guide to conquering the cold and hooking into a massive James River Blue Cat , and why bringing an...

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!

Dakota and Preston hit the James River to master the art of finding winter bait for trophy blue cats. What started as a slow morning of scanning deep holes and throwing nets quickly escalated into a chaotic, rod-bending battle. Read how adapting to winter conditions led to a massive 34-pound personal best!