Trophy Catfishing Report: Landing a 30 lb Blue Catfish in Stormy Conditions
Late September fishing on the tidal river brings some of the year's best opportunities for big catfish, and our recent outing with Kelsey, Kevin, and birthday boy Theo was a prime example. Celebrating Theo’s 10th birthday, our primary goal for the evening was clear: put a trophy-sized catfish in the boat. With water temperatures hovering at 73 degrees and dropping down to 71 as a Nor'Easter storm approached, the conditions were set for a dynamic evening on the water.
We kicked off the trip by deploying our Gizzard Shad Gill Nets to secure some fresh, high-quality bait. It proved to be a remarkably diverse gill net set to start the trip, bringing up gizzard shad, a small blue catfish, and even a blue crab! After getting our gizzard shad cut into fresh chunks, we cast them out along a promising channel ledge. Our setup featured Catch the Fever Hellcat Revenge Rods spooled with durable Slime Line, resting securely in heavy-duty SmackDown Rod Holders. To complete the setup, we tied on Goober Time Guide Service 2-in-1 Rigs, perfect for presentation and hookups along structure.
It didn’t take long before our first bite hit the deck—a nice 2 lb blue catfish to break the ice.
We reset the rods, and about 15 minutes later, one of the Hellcat Revenge rods doubled over completely. Theo stepped up to battle a massive blue catfish. The fish pulled drag and put on a fight filled with heavy head shakes, but Theo fought it like a seasoned pro. When we finally scooped the fish into the net and hoisted it onto the deck, the excitement was electric: 30 lbs and 38.25 inches! Theo officially earned his entry into the trophy club on his 10th birthday.
As the evening progressed, we landed a few more fish in the 2-5 lb range before the bite slowed near sunset.
To adapt, we changed gears and attempted to drag some backwater areas using AlphaBoardz Planer Boards. However, extreme wind gusts from the incoming Nor'Easter storm made boat control a major challenge. Despite keeping the boat pointed in the right direction for about 20 minutes, boat positioning became nearly impossible under the storm's pressure. We managed to land one 4 lb blue catfish before deciding to abandon the planer board plan for a more controlled tactic.
We anchored up in a main channel, able to hide from the wind, setting our lines to target swift current on one side of the boat and a heavy bank of downed timber on the other. Within five minutes, a monster fish slammed a rod, ripped drag nonstop, and began swimming upriver against the powerful current. Theo grabbed the rod and felt a few massive head shakes before the fish unexpectedly let go without getting hooked. While it's the one that got away, every true angler knows that wondering about those mystery giants is what makes fishing so unforgettable.
Before packing up to beat the heavy rainstorm rolling in, we landed one or two more small blue catfish to finish out the night with a total of 9 blue catfish landed.
Trip Catch Summary
Species | Number Caught |
Blue Catfish | 9 |
Total | 9 |
A huge thank you to Kelsey, Kevin, and especially Theo for joining us on the water to celebrate Theo's 10th birthday! Battling tough storm conditions and landing a 30 lb trophy catfish made for an unforgettable evening.
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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