Late-Summer Trophy Blue Catfish Report: Nighttime Drifting & Planer Boards
When late-summer water temperatures hover in the mid-80s, finding consistent action on trophy blue catfish requires adaptability, fresh bait, and precise presentation. On September 19, 2026, Kelvin and David joined us for an evening-to-night trip running from 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM, with one primary goal in mind: escaping the daily grind to chase personal bests and land a few heavyweights. The river delivered an unforgettable outing packed with steady bends in the rods, multi-fish hookups, and several new entries into the trophy club.
Starting Fast: Fresh Bait and Channel Ledge Drifts
We kicked off the afternoon by deploying our Gizzard Shad Gill Net to secure a cooler full of prime, fresh bait. High-quality gizzard shad is the lifeblood of trophy catfishing, and having fresh, oily bait ready before setting our first spread made all the difference.
With bait locked down, we set up our initial drift along a prominent channel ledge. We rigged four setups: two suspended in the water column to target active fish swimming above the bottom, and two dragged directly along the river floor using custom dragging weights. Our rods rested rock-solid in SmackDown Rod Holders, offering absolute stability while drifting through the current.
For tackle, our heavy-duty spread relied on Hellcat Revenge Rods by Catch the Fever paired with high-visibility, abrasion-resistant Slime Line. Down at the business end, we rigged everything with Goober Time Guide Service 2-in-1 Rigs, providing the perfect balance of floatation and hook-setting efficiency.
As we settled into the drift, the fish came calling in steady succession:
2 lb. Blue Catfish
5 lb. Blue Catfish
10 lb. Blue Catfish
12 lb. Blue Catfish
We passed the time between fish chowing down on Kelvin's grilled chicken.
After Dark: Covert Ops with Planer Boards
Once the sun dipped below the horizon, we shifted tactics to spread out our bait footprint across wider feeding zones by pulling AlphaBoardz Planer Boards. Planer boards allow us to present fresh shad chunks in shallow water and along channel edges without scaring skittish, giant fish with the boat's drift path.
Just 15 minutes into pulling the boards, one of the outside boards got completely buried. The rod loaded up deep, and after a thrilling battle in the dark, we netted a 29 lb., 40.5-inch trophy blue catfish—welcoming Kelvin and David to the trophy club in style!
Shortly after resetting the spread, another board pulled under. The reel screamed as a heavy river leviathan surged into the current. After a careful fight, we brought aboard a magnificent 33.2 lb., 42.75-inch blue catfish, marking the largest fish of the night.
The action remained relentless. We quickly landed an 8 lb. blue catfish, followed by an adrenaline-pumping double hookup:
27 lb., 38.5-inch Blue Catfish
23 lb., 35.5-inch Blue Catfish
Nighttime Adjustments and Finishing Strong
Looking to keep the momentum going, we moved out to anchor up over a shallow mud flat where blue catfish often roam during warm night feedings. While we felt frequent taps and short bites from smaller fish, they weren't committing to the larger hooks. Recognizing the pattern change, we adjusted quickly, pulled anchor, and went back to pulling AlphaBoardz planer boards through deeper water.
The move paid off immediately. A hard strike folded the Hellcat Revenge rod, resulting in a healthy 27 lb., 37-inch blue catfish.
We dragged the boards a little longer under the clear night sky before wrapping up the spread, packing up the gear, and heading back to shore after an epic 10-hour trip on the water.
Catch Summary Table
Species | Number Caught | Individual Recorded Weights | Total Cumulative Weight |
Blue Catfish | 10 | 2 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 12 lb, 29 lb, 33.2 lb, 8 lb, 27 lb, 23 lb, 27 lb | 176.2 lbs |
Outing Total | 10 Fish | — | 176.2 lbs |
Book Your Next Trophy Adventure Today!
A massive thank you to Kelvin and David for coming out, bringing great food, and putting on a masterclass in landing big catfish! It was an absolute pleasure putting you both on trophy fish and watching those personal best goals get crushed.
Ready to experience high-octane trophy catfishing for yourself? Whether you want to drift channel ledges, pull planer boards, or target multi-species action using Precision Cast Rods and our full line of terminal tackle and rigs, we have you covered for an unforgettable time on the water.
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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