Springing Into Action: Blue Catfish and Shad Runs on the James River
- Captain Dan Szajta
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
It was a pleasure welcoming back Dara and Oliver for another adventure with Goober Time Guide Service. There is nothing quite like the James River in the spring—the river is alive, the migratory fish are moving, and the catfish are hungry.
We covered a lot of water on this trip, transitioning from the fast-paced action of the fall line to the steady pull of the mud flats. Here is the breakdown of our day on the water.
Starting with the Bait Run
We kicked things off near the fall line, looking to secure some fresh, oily bait for the big blues. The Hickory Shad were active, and it didn't take long to get what we needed. Oliver was able to catch his first hickory shad.
While drifting for White Perch shortly after, we ran into a massive school of Blueback Herring. While they put up a fun fight on light tackle, these are protected, so we made sure to get them back into the river quickly and safely.
Working the Water: From Flats to Channels
The James is all about finding where the fish are holding based on the tide. Our day was a masterclass in staying mobile:
• Near the Fall Line: Caught our first "eater" blue catfish and a solid 12 lb Blue.
• The Mud Flats: We moved to the shallower flats where the water warms up faster. This produced a steady stream of fish, including a 7 lb Blue and a pair of 4 lb Catfish.
• Species Variety: As we hopped between flats, we added several more eater-sized Blues and a scrappy Channel Catfish to the tally.
The One That Got Away
As the tide bottomed out, we moved into deeper water. While taking a break to clean a few fish for Dara and Oliver’s upcoming fish fry, we witnessed the highlight (and heartbreak) of the trip.
A massive Flathead Catfish took a bait and decided to put on a show. It was a classic heavyweight battle, with the fish screaming drag and testing the gear. We fought it all the way to the gunwale, but right as we prepared to net it, the hook came unpinned. That’s fishing—it just gives us a reason to come back and find him again!
Finishing Strong
We didn't let the Flathead get us down. We moved back upriver to finish the day:
• 16 lb Blue Catfish caught in a fresh deep-water spot.
• 5 lb Channel Catfish on the flats.
• Closed out the afternoon catching White Perch to keep the rods bending until the very last minute.
Join Goober Time Guide Service
The spring bite is officially here, and the James River is producing a fantastic variety of species. Whether you are looking for a trophy Blue or a cooler full of frying fish, now is the time to get on the boat.
A huge thanks to Dara and Oliver for choosing Goober Time Guide Service again. We can’t wait to see you back on the water!
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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