Unforgettable Catfishing Adventures on the James River

A Thrilling Day with Friends

Lucas, Brett, Tim, and Matthew joined us from Indiana for their first trip on the James River. We kicked off the day with high hopes, ready to fish some patterns that had been consistently producing. However, the fish had other plans. Despite our efforts, they weren't biting. We spent quality time at several locations where we marked fish, but they just wouldn’t commit. It was a gorgeous morning on the water, with the rods tapping, but we needed to find some fish that would actually bite!

Shifting Strategies

Since the deep water bite wasn’t working, we decided to switch things up. We started pulling our AlphaBoardz over some shallow mud flats, and guess what? Fish started coming into the boat right away! Our first catch was an eater-sized blue catfish.

Not long after, another eater-sized fish made its way into the boat.

As we continued to pull the planer boards, we experienced a flurry of short strikes and managed to catch a few more fish. After a bit of dragging, we hooked up with a third eater fish.

The Quest for Trophy Fish

Captain Dan, ever the strategist, saw all he needed to see. He asked the guys if they were up for a long boat ride in search of bigger fish. They were here for trophy fish, and they happily agreed! Off we went, on a mission to find those elusive trophy catfish.

When we arrived at our new location, we freshened up our bait. As we were baiting the hooks, we started marking some really nice fish on the sonar. We got the boat moving and set the planer boards up. It didn’t take long before one of the rods folded over. The fish ran all over, and we had to horse it in to get it under control.

We knew we made the right call when a stunning 42 lb trophy blue catfish hit the deck! What a catch!

Welcome to the Trophy Club!

While we were busy taking photos of the first fish, we heard the drag screaming again! Another rod folded over, and this time, the planer board was completely submerged underwater. With rods tangled all over the deck from the first fish, this new catch added more chaos to the boat.

The guys worked as a team, moving rods and managing the fish from side to side. Eventually, we got it in the boat, and we were rewarded with another trophy fish! It weighed just under 29.5 lbs but measured over 41 inches. What a double up!

Another Welcome to the Trophy Club!

We had to sort out our tangles, retie rigs, and start our drift over. We pulled boards for another 20 minutes without much action, and it was time to head back to the ramp.

Conclusion: Join Us Again!

Thanks for joining us on the river! We hope to see you out here again sometime. Remember, the thrill of catfishing on the James River is waiting for you. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, there's always an adventure to be had. Until next time, tight lines!