Chickahominy Lake Fishing Report: Spring Panfish Slam
- Captain Dan Szajta
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The spring transition is in full gear here in Virginia, and the panfish are responding beautifully to the warming water. Yesterday, Goober Time Guide Service had the pleasure of hosting Anthony, Brent, Tammy, and Allison, who made the trip up from Newland, NC. Their goal for the day was simple: fill the cooler with "eater" panfish for a southern fish fry.
With water temperatures climbing and the fish moving into their seasonal patterns, we put together a busy day across multiple locations.
Conditions & Logistics
Date: April 25, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Weather: Overcast morning with sun breaking through by mid-day; air temperatures were mild and comfortable.
Barometric Pressure: Held steady between 29.83" and 29.85" throughout the morning, providing a stable bite before a slight afternoon dip to 29.82".
Water Conditions: Water temperatures started at 69°F and rose significantly to 74°F by the afternoon.
The Early Morning Scout (Captain’s Report)
Captain Dan hit the water at 7:30 AM to locate the schools before the guests arrived. Trolling small crankbaits and long-lining crappie jigs proved effective early. In just one hour, the "pre-fish" yielded:
5 Crappie
3 Shellcracker
2 Yellow Perch
1 Largemouth Bass
1 Bluegill
Stop 1: The First Creek
Once the crew was on board and rigged up, we headed into our first creek. The action was immediate—we boated the first fish before we even had all the trolling rods set in the rod holders. The fish were stacked and hungry.
The Catch: 6 Crappie, 5 White Perch, 2 Shellcracker, 1 Bluegill, and 1 Largemouth Bass.
Stop 2: Shifting to the Second Creek
As the morning progressed and the sun began to warm the shallower flats, we moved to a second creek. While the crappie numbers dipped slightly, the variety increased. We had a heart-pounding moment when a massive Bowfin (or potentially a trophy Bass) cleared the water in a massive jump, throwing the hook.
The Catch: 5 Bluegill, 5 White Perch, 1 Crappie, 1 Shellcracker, 1 Largemouth Bass, and 1 aggressive Chain Pickerel.
The Mid-Day Move: Crossing the Lake
Following a quick break, we made a long run to the opposite side of the lake. However, the bite had slowed down significantly in this area.
The Catch: 1 Bluegill.
The Decision: With the action cooling off, we made the tactical choice to run back to our most productive water from the morning.
Stop 3: Return to the First Creek
Returning to our original starting point paid off. The rising water temperature (hitting that 74°F mark) had the shellcrackers fired up.
In a chaotic moment, we had a nice double up on chain pickerel.
The Catch: 4 Shellcracker, 3 Crappie, 2 Chain Pickerel, 1 Yellow Perch, and 1 White Perch.
The Final Stretch: Channel Ledge Work
On our final approach back toward the ramp area, we worked a prominent channel ledge to see if any late-afternoon schools were holding on the drop-off as the barometric pressure began its slight afternoon shift.
The Catch: 3 White Perch, 1 Shellcracker.
Trip Totals
It was a fantastic day of multi-species action! Our North Carolina guests worked hard and were rewarded with a full cooler of delicious fish for their fish fry.
Species | Count |
Crappie | 15 |
White Perch | 14 |
Shellcracker | 12 |
Bluegill | 9 |
Yellow Perch | 3 |
Largemouth Bass | 3 |
Chain Pickerel | 3 |
TOTAL FISH | 59 |
A Big Thank You
We want to give a huge thanks to Anthony, Brent, Tammy, and Allison for spending their Saturday with Goober Time Guide Service. It’s always a pleasure to host folks who appreciate the incredible panfishing the Chickahominy has to offer. Safe travels back home to Newland!
Captain Dan Szajta is a USCG Master and IGFA Captain who brings a unique, analytical edge to the waters of Central Virginia. When he isn’t guiding clients to "river monsters" on the James River, Dan serves as a high school math teacher—a background that fuels his precision-based approach to angling. By combining formal maritime expertise with a teacher’s knack for breaking down complex patterns, Dan specializes in breaking the code on trophy Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, and Smallmouth Bass for anglers of all skill levels.
Operating Goober Time Guide Service, Dan offers a versatile experience tailored to the water's demands. Whether you are hunting giants from his fully equipped main vessel or launching a kayak or raft to reach remote, low-pressure fisheries, his mission is to provide more than just a day on the water. Every trip is an opportunity to learn the "why" behind the bite, blending high-energy adventure with the technical insights of a true multi-species specialist.
Captain Dan Szajta
USCG Master Charter Captain
804-592-0456
*Contents of this article may not be reproduced without the prior consent of Goober Time Guide Service, LLC.
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