James River Catfish Report: 3 Personal Bests for PA Anglers!
- Captain Dan Szajta
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
There is nothing quite like the energy of a crisp morning on the James River, especially when you have a crew of eager anglers ready to test the Virginia waters. This morning, we were thrilled to welcome Jerry, Shawn, and George, who traveled down from Pennsylvania to fish the James River for the first time.
By the end of the day we had three new personal bests (PBs) and a diverse catch that kept everyone on their toes.
The Morning Strategy: Fresh Bait & Channel Ledges
We started the day right with a cooler of fresh bait: gizzard shad, white perch, and hickory shad. On the James, fresh bait is the universal language for big fish.
We headed downriver and set up on a prominent channel ledge. This allowed us to stagger our spread—casting some rods into the deep water and others into the shallows to see where the fish were patrolling. The action started steady:
3 lb Blue Catfish (The icebreaker!)
7.3 lb Striped Bass – NEW PERSONAL BEST!
17.2 lb Blue Catfish
5.5 lb Blue Catfish
Seeing that Striped Bass come over the rail was a highlight. While we love our catfish, the James River striper bite is a thrilling bonus this time of year.
Shifting Gears: Drifting for the Big One
As the sun climbed, the bite on the anchor slowed, so we pivoted to drifting channel ledges. This tactic covers more ground and puts the bait right in the face of predatory blues. The strategy paid off almost immediately.
The reel screamed as a heavy fish took a bait, resulting in a 25.5 lb Blue Catfish—marking the second Personal Best of the day! While we dealt with some "peckish" fish and a few missed hookups (likely smaller fish playing with the big baits), we added two more 1 lb blues to the tally before moving on.
Mid-Day Grind and the "Fast Water" Finish
Fishing isn't always a sprint; sometimes it’s a marathon. We moved further downriver to drift deep holes, seeing some massive "takedowns" that unfortunately didn't stick. After a quick 3 lb blue and a brief, unsuccessful stint trolling crankbaits for stripers, the midday lull set in.
Never one to give up, we headed back upriver into the faster water to oxygenate the hunt. The move worked, landing us an 8 lb blue catfish to get the momentum back.
The Final Cast: A Flathead Surprise
We decided to anchor up at one last spot before calling it a day. The James River is famous for its Blue Cats, but its Flathead Catfish are the local "ghosts." Just as we were winding down, a rod folded over.
We boated a beautiful 14.2 lb Flathead, marking the third Personal Best of the trip! It was the perfect exclamation point to an incredible day of Pennsylvania-meets-Virginia fishing.
The Final Tally
Our guests worked hard for every bite today, and the results speak for themselves:
Species | Count | Notable Weights |
Blue Catfish | 8 | 25.5 lbs (PB), 17.2 lbs |
Striped Bass | 1 | 7.3 lbs (PB) |
Flathead Catfish | 1 | 14.2 lbs (PB) |
TOTALS | 10 Fish | 86.5 lbs Total Weight |
Join Goober Time Guide Service on the Water!
A huge thank you to Jerry, Shawn, and George for choosing Goober Time. Helping our guests set 3 new personal bests is always fun to watch!
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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