Trophy Winter Blue Catfish Action on the Mighty James River
- Captain Dan Szajta
- Dec 26, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 28, 2025
We had the pleasure of hosting Joshua, Dylan, Clifton, Chris, Conrad, and Wesley for a day of catfishing on the Mighty James River. While the morning started with a challenge, the river eventually rewarded our persistence with some exciting action.
Starting the Hunt: The Bait Struggle
Any experienced angler knows that fresh bait is the key to a successful day on the James. We started the morning hunting for gizzard shad, but it was tough. After a significant effort, we managed to secure just enough to get our lines in the water. We spent the rest of the day "grinding" for bait, soaking the gill net whenever possible to keep our hooks tipped with fresh bait.
Hooking a James River "River Monster"
Taking advantage of the high tide, we began by pulling planer boards through 15-foot depths. Though we were marking massive fish, they were being finicky—giving us nothing but light taps.
After adjusting our course away from a school of carp and gar, the magic happened. A planer board got buried, and the drag started screaming. After a heavy fight and several powerful runs, we netted a 35 lb trophy-class Blue Catfish. Welcome to the Trophy Club!
Shallow Water Success: Back-to-Back Blues
As the tide changed, we moved to shallower, warmer water to see if the bite would pick up. The strategy paid off almost immediately. Within ten minutes of casting out, a rod folded over, resulting in a beautiful 20 lb Blue Cat.
Just five minutes later, it happened again. In a "déjà vu" moment, another rod doubled over in the shallow water. This fish fought just as hard as the last, tipping the scales at 25 lbs.
A Strong Finish at the Bridge Structure
With fresh bait running low and time winding down, we made one final move to target underwater bridge columns and structure. This proved to be the most productive 15 minutes of the entire trip. We started with a hard-digging fighter that gave us a great show, breaking the water on the way in.
We quickly followed that up with a 5 lb "Eater" Blue Cat: A solid addition to the day's tally.
This final fish was a character! It took three separate tries to hook up, likely due to a severe underbite, but it was the perfect final fish to wrap up the day weighing in at 27 lbs.
Despite a tough start with the bait, the James River proved why it is a world-class destination for Blue Catfish. Thank you for choosing Goober Time Guide Service for your James River adventure. We can't wait to get you back on the water.
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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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