Trophy Blue Catfish Fishing Report | Goober Time Guide Service
It was a fantastic day out on the water hosting Moustafa, Alaa, Bilac, and Ibraham for a special family outing aimed at getting the boys onto some solid fish for their very first time. With water temperatures hovering right around 72–74°F, conditions were prime for an active catfish bite, and the fish did not disappoint.
We kicked off the trip by suspend drifting through a main channel. Right out of the gate, we hooked up with a nice blue catfish, closely followed by a second one.
Deciding to slow things down and target the channel structure more thoroughly, we anchored up and landed another blue catfish.
Once we resumed drifting, three more blue catfish came over the gunwales in quick succession.
Every fish during this initial stretch hit solidly in the 3 to 5 lb range, providing steady action and a great introduction for the young anglers.
After enjoying the quick action, the group decided they were ready to target something bigger. We shifted tactics, deployed our AlphaBoardz Planer Boards, and began dragging large baits through backwater areas.
Dragging planer boards for big catfish requires patience, and after waiting through a huge missed takedown, our perseverance paid off. A fish slammed the bait, sinking a planer board and making two wild passes across the back of the boat. After a chaotic fight, we brought the fish aboard: a trophy blue catfish weighing 28 lbs and measuring 38.25 inches—welcome into the Trophy Club!
We kept the planer boards working and were rewarded with one last blue catfish weighing in at approximately 15 lbs. We dragged baits for a little longer, but as the bite quieted down, we called it a day and headed back to the ramp.
Gear & Terminal Tackle
To put big fish in the boat consistently, having the right setup is essential. Here is the gear lineup that got the job done on this trip:
Rods: We used Catch the Fever Hellcat Revenge Rods
Line: Spooled up with durable, highly visible Slime Line to handle hard runs and heavy structure.
Rod Holders: Rock-solid stability provided by SmackDown Rod Holders.
Rigs & Terminal Tackle: We rigged our baits using Goober Time Guide Service 2-in-1 Rigs. You can explore our full collection of terminal tackle at Goober Time Guide Service All Products.
Bait Collection: Fresh bait was secured using Goober Time Gizzard Shad Gill Nets.
Planer Boards: Directional control in backwaters handled by AlphaBoardz Planer Boards.
Trip Catch Summary
Species | Number Caught |
Blue Catfish | 8 |
Total | 8 |
A huge thank you to Moustafa, Alaa, Bilac, and Ibraham for joining us on the water and making it a memorable day! Seeing first-timers land trophy fish is what it's all about.
Captain Dan Szajta is a USCG Master Captain 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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