Lake Chesdin Fishing Report: Spring Multi-Species Trolling Trip
- Captain Dan Szajta
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
There is no better way to celebrate a birthday than by spending a morning out on the water. This past weekend, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting Neq, Nai, and Caine for an action-packed, multi-species trolling trip. It was a special birthday celebration for the group—while Neq and Caine are Richmond, VA locals, Nai made the trip down from Maryland to join in on the weekend's festivities.
The goals for the day were simple: keep the rods bending, enjoy the beautiful weather, and target a variety of the species that make our local waters so productive this time of year.
Here is how the morning unfolded, along with the specific conditions and gear that helped us put together a fantastic catch.
Trip Conditions & Overview
Date: May 17, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Weather: Beautiful, clear morning with temperatures rising from 58 to 70 degrees.
Water Temperature: Started at a cool 69°F at lines-in, warming up to a comfortable 72°F by late morning.
Water Conditions: Stable spring clarity, with water temperatures rising perfectly to trigger an active late-morning bite.
The Fishing Report & Species Breakdown
We started the morning at 7:00 AM, setting up a multi-species trolling spread designed to cover different depths. Early in the trip, our long-lining jigs were just not getting any attention from the fish, while the crankbaits were consistently putting fish in the boat. Recognizing the slow start, we quickly pivoted and deployed a full spread of crankbaits—and that change completely turned the tide, capturing all the action for the rest of the morning.
To figure out exactly where the fish were holding, we ran a strategic mix of two different lures: Arkie 220 crankbaits on some lines and Bandit 300 crankbaits on others. These two baits are staples for lake trolling because they offer distinctly different diving profiles. The Arkie 220 is a fantastic mid-depth runner, typically maxing out around 10 to 12 feet deep on a standard troll. On the other hand, the Bandit 300 features a larger lip designed to dig much deeper, easily reaching depths of 12 to 16 feet depending on your line size and speed.
Staggering these different depths allowed us to pinpoint exactly where the schools were suspended. As we trolled further up-lake and the water temperature warmed up from 69°F to 72°F, the crappie bite caught fire.
Here is a look at the final numbers by species from our morning on the water:
Species | Number Caught |
Crappie | 13 |
White Perch | 8 |
Shellcracker | 1 |
Total Catch | 22 Fish |
Gear & Tactics That Clicked
When you are multi-species trolling with a busy spread of deep and mid-depth crankbaits, having the right equipment is everything. To handle the constant strain of pulling these diving baits and dealing with fast-paced hookups, we relied heavily on a few trusted pieces of gear.
Our spread was locked down tightly in SmackDown Rod Holders, which keep everything secure and perfectly angled while navigating the lake's channels. For tracking the action and handling the resistance of the deep-diving Bandits, we spooled our reels with high-visibility line from Slime Line, ensuring we could spot any subtle changes in line movement or vibration immediately. We paired this with the ultra-responsive Precision Cast rods from Catch the Fever in 6ft and 7ft, giving us the perfect blend of a sensitive tip to see a perch tap and plenty of backbone for handling deep-running plugs. Our Minn Kota Ulterra trolling motor allowed us to control our speed and heading with extreme accuracy.
A huge thank you to Neq, Nai, and Caine for joining us on the water to celebrate! You all did a fantastic job managing the lines, reeling in a great mixed bag, and keeping the energy high all morning. Happy Birthday!
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.
Comments