Stop Guessing: How to Locate Active Feeding Catfish
- Captain Dan Szajta
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Finding feeding catfish doesn't have to be a guessing game. While many anglers spend hours staring at a motionless rod tip, the pros at Goober Time Guide Service know that success comes down to a simple, repeatable formula.
If you want to stop "fishing" and start "catching," you need to understand the "where, when, and what" of how catfish operate. Here is our foolproof method to finding feeding catfish every time you hit the water.
1. Follow the Food (The Shad Factor)
The most important rule in catfishing is: Find the bait, find the fish. Catfish—especially trophy Blue Cats—are nomadic hunters. They follow schools of gizzard shad and threadfin shad religiously.
Scan First, Fish Second: Before you ever drop an anchor, use your electronics to look for "bait balls."
The Pro Tip: If you see large arches (big catfish) hovering near or under a thick cloud of bait on your sonar, you’ve found the dinner table. If the bait is gone, the catfish won't be far behind.
Large bait balls of gizzard shad
2. Play the "Oxygen Game" (Current and Wind)
Catfish are more active when they are comfortable. Two things dictate their comfort: Current and Oxygen.
In Rivers: Look for "seams"—the area where fast water meets slow water (often behind bridge pilings or at the edge of a bend). Catfish sit in the slow water and wait for the current to wash food right to them.
In Lakes: Pay attention to the wind. A steady wind pushes oxygen-rich surface water and microscopic plankton toward one bank. This attracts baitfish, which in turn brings in the "hungry giants." Always try to fish the "windward" shore.
Fishing a current seam where river channels converge
3. Understand the "Feeding Shelf"
Catfish aren't always in the deepest hole. In fact, they usually move into shallower water to feed.
The Transition Zone: Look for a "shelf" or a drop-off where the water goes from 5 feet to 20 feet. During the day, fish might hold in the deep water, but when they get hungry (especially at dawn, dusk, or night), they move up onto the shallow flats to hunt.
The Method: Set your baits right on the edge of that slope. You’re catching them as they travel between their bedroom and their kitchen.
A transition zone between a deep hole and a shallow mud flat
4. Fresh is King
If you want to catch feeding fish, you have to offer them what they are already eating. While store-bought "stink baits" work for smaller channel cats, trophy fish want the real deal.
Match the Hatch: Use fresh-caught native bait. On the James River, that often means fresh-cut shad, white perch, or eels. Your body of water may differ.
The "Bloody" Advantage: Freshly cut bait releases a scent trail that acts like a dinner bell. If your bait has been in the water for 30-60 minutes and hasn't been touched, reel it in and put on a fresh, juicy piece.
Fresh gizzard shad used for cut bait
Summary Checklist for a Successful Trip:
Step | Action |
Locate | Use sonar to find schools of shad. |
Position | Find a depth transition or a current seam. |
Verify | Ensure there is adequate current or wind-driven oxygen. |
Execute | Use fresh-cut bait and change every 30-60 minutes. |
Want to see the Method in action?
Reading about it is one thing, but seeing it on the water is another. At Goober Time Guide Service, we specialize in patterning trophy catfish on the legendary James River. Whether you're looking to break a personal best or just want to learn the nuances of modern catfishing electronics, we’ve got you covered.
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
IGFA Captain
804-592-0456
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