Virginia Catfish Guide Service: 218-Fish Birthday Night Blitz
- Captain Dan Szajta
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
There is nothing quite like celebrating a birthday on the water, especially when returning guests Steve, Christian, and Matthew come ready to bent rods and haul in fish. Hailing from nearby Glen Allen, VA, the crew joined Goober Time Guide Service for a 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM evening-into-night expedition on July 26, 2026. With summer water temperatures hovering between a warm 82°F and 84°F, our game plan was dialed in: target heavy blues during the late afternoon transition, lock into fast-paced light-fishing for striped bass and white perch as night fell, and cap off the trip hunting trophy catfish along deep river structure.
Early Evening Transition & Blue Catfish Double-Ups
We kicked off the trip netting a batch of fresh gizzard shad before positioning the boat along a steep channel ledge where catfish like to stage during the evening feed. Securing our gear into our sturdy SmackDown Rod Holders, we deployed fresh cut bait on our go-to Goober Time Guide Service 10/0 2-in-1 Trophy Catfish Rigs, paired with sensitive yet powerful Catch the Fever Hellcat Revenge Rods spooled with high-visibility Slime Line.
It didn't take long for the action to start. Almost immediately after setting the spread, the rod tips started bowing. We opened the tally with a steady stream of solid eater-sized blues: a 2 lb blue catfish got us on the board, quickly followed by another 2 lb blue catfish and a 3 lb blue catfish. The action intensified into our first double-up of the evening—landing a 3 lb blue catfish and a 2 lb blue catfish simultaneously. After adding another 3 lb blue catfish, the heavy-duty gear was tested with a second, heavier double-up: a 9.5 lb blue catfish paired with a solid 5 lb blue catfish.
The 8:30 PM Night Blitz: 208 Fish in 90 Minutes
As darkness settled in around 8:30 PM, we flipped on our high-intensity fishing lights to attract baitfish, switching gears to light-tackle multi-species action. While we cast lightweight jigs on our Catch the Fever Precision Cast Rods, we kept three catfish rods soaked in the background just in case a roving blue cat crossed our lights.
What followed was 90 minutes of sheer chaos. The water under the lights exploded with life, leading to one of the most fast-paced feeding frenzies of the season. In just an hour and a half, the crew brought 208 fish over the gunwales. The breakdown under the lights included 164 striped bass, 40 white perch, 2 blueback herring, and two opportunistic blue catfish weighing 5 lbs and 15 lbs that couldn't resist our bottom baits amidst the frenzy.
Midnight Trophy Hunt: Matthew’s Birthday Personal Best
With the light frenzy winding down, we reeled in the light tackle to spend our final hours hunting for a true river leviathan. We relocated to a prime structural intercept point—a creek mouth emptying directly onto a main river channel ledge where current lines concentrate rich forage.
Patience paid off in spectacular fashion. Late into the night, one of the Hellcat Revenge rods folded completely double into the water. Matthew stepped up to the rod, battling a heavy, stubborn weight out of the deep structure. After a thrilling fight, we slid the net under a majestic 29.5 lb, 37.5-inch blue catfish—setting a brand-new Personal Best for Matthew on his 14th birthday!
We rounded out an unforgettable night right at the buzzer around 1:00 AM, with Christian hoisting a handsome 7 lb blue catfish before we called it a trip.
Gear & Rigging Used on This Trip
To achieve maximum landing efficiency on both light-tackle blitzes and heavy trophy catfish, we rely strictly on proven, high-performance tackle:
Catfishing Rods: Catch the Fever Hellcat Revenge Series
Mainline: High-Visibility Slime Line Mono
Rod Racks & Holders: SmackDown Rod Holders
Terminal Rigs: Goober Time Guide Service 10/0 2-in-1 Trophy Catfish Rigs
Catch Summary & Trip Metrics
Species | Quantity Caught |
Blue Catfish | 12 |
Striped Bass | 164 |
White Perch | 40 |
Blueback Herring | 2 |
GRAND TOTAL | 218 Fish |
Thank You & Book Your Next Adventure!
A massive thank you to Steve, Christian, and especially Matthew for coming back out on the water with Goober Time Guide Service to celebrate Matthew's 14th birthday! Watching Matthew land a 29.5 lb personal best blue cat made it an evening we won't soon forget.
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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