James River Catfishing Report: 44lb Blue Cat & Trophy Flathead Action
- Captain Dan Szajta
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
The evening bite is officially on! We recently had the pleasure of hosting Clyde, Grayson, Whit, and Zach, who made the trip from Stoneville, NC, for a weekday evening session. While the trip started with a search for bait and a bit of patience, it ended with some of the most exciting "drag-screaming" action we’ve seen all spring.
If you’ve been waiting for the big ones to wake up, this report is proof that Goober Time Guide Service is putting trophies in the boat.
The Game Plan: Adaptation is Key
We kicked things off by drifting the channel ledges while multi-tasking to catch fresh bait. The catfish were playing hard to get during the drift, so we didn't waste time. We made the executive decision to anchor up, targeting a mix of underwater structure and mud flats.
We split our spread, running two rods on the structure/flats and two rods directly in the channel. That tactical shift paid off immediately.
The Highlights: Flatheads & Drag-Screamers
The first fish of the night set the bar sky-high: a 38.5-inch Trophy Flathead weighing in at 26 lbs!
As the sun began to dip, we moved downriver to deeper ledges. The action stayed hot:
The Flathead Double: We landed another beauty measuring 36.25 inches (23 lbs).
The Heavyweight: A massive 44 lb Blue Catfish decided to test our gear with a classic "drag-screaming" run.
The "Baby Rod" Hero: In one of the most memorable moments of the night, we boated a 31 lb Trophy Blue Catfish on a tiny 38-inch "baby rod." It’s not the size of the rod; it’s how you play the fish!
Finishing Strong
We wrapped up the evening by moving back upriver to work the channel ledges and structure one last time. We added a solid 18 lb Flathead to the tally, along with several "eaters" to ensure the guys went home with plenty of fillets for the frying pan.
Total Fish Caught: 14
Total Trophy Fish: 3 (Including a 44 lb Blue, 31 lb Blue and a 26 lb Flathead)
Book Your Own Trophy Hunt!
Clyde and the Stoneville crew proved that the weekday evening bite is where the magic happens. Whether you're hunting for a 40 lb Blue or a trophy Flathead, Goober Time Guide Service has the local knowledge to put you on the meat.
Goober Time Guide Service offers premier guided fishing experiences throughout the James River and key bodies of water across Central Virginia. We specialize in multi-species excursions, targeting trophy Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, and Crappie.
Our versatile fleet includes a fully-equipped main vessel for full-group charters, as well as specialized kayaks, paddleboards, and whitewater rafts to access remote waters and low-pressure fisheries. Furthermore, we offer exclusive light-lining charter trips for elite anglers seeking the ultimate technical challenge and potential record-breaking catches.
Contact us to consult on your group’s goals, and we will expertly design a tailored fishing adventure to exceed your expectations.
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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