James River Blue Catfish

[JDTuna]

Decided to do something a little different this weekend and headed down to the James River in Virginia to target giant blue catfish. Met up with my friend Darrell and we drove down Friday night to fish Saturday.

Hit the river Saturday morning to very windy, but warm conditions. Right off the bat we* pulled the hook on a small fish and Darrell got a nice fish in the 20's, which was quickly released.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/20160220_092319-1-1_zps2t1uqwsb.jpg
After that, we bounced around a bit and hit several spots. We had bites at every stop, but the fish were being very picky. They would mouth the bait, then drop it. It very surprising and frustrating to have such large catfish be so gentle with the bait. We ended up pulling the hooks on another fish.

The wind was steady all day, and fishable spots were limited. Our last stop was a sheltered area. We sat for a bit, then one of the rods got slammed and thr tip quickly dipped to the water. I picked up the rod and could tell this was a much larger fish. After a short fight, the net was slipped under a 41lb blue catfish. The fish was probably the fattest catfish I had ever caught. After a few pics, the fish was released and swam strongly back to the depths.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k320/JL1981/20160220_143113-1_zpsguqhtkmr.jpg
Called it a day after that. Fishing was on the slow side, but we still managed some quality fish.

[dakota560]

JDTuna,

Great fish! I've always wanted to do some cat fishing for those big girls. Did you use your own boat or hire a guide? If I wanted to hire a guide, do you have anyone you'd recommend? Do you use cut bait or live, I assume cut. What in your opinion is the best time of the season to target blues? That seems like a pretty special fishery down there, good to see a trophy fishery being taken care of. Again great catch, that 40 is huge. I know they get a whole lot bigger too, hard to imagine!

Dakota

[NJSquatch]

Nice change of pace from chasing flags.

Although you look more bundled up than you are on the ice.

[Delawareriver]

JDTuna,

Great fish! I've always wanted to do some cat fishing for those big girls. Did you use your own boat or hire a guide? If I wanted to hire a guide, do you have anyone you'd recommend? Do you use cut bait or live, I assume cut. What in your opinion is the best time of the season to target blues? That seems like a pretty special fishery down there, good to see a trophy fishery being taken care of. Again great catch, that 40 is huge. I know they get a whole lot bigger too, hard to imagine!

Dakota
I've taken my boat to the Potomac a few times. Sure a guide could really help but definitely is not needed. November to April is prime and most guys typically use cut gizzard shad. Target mouths of coves and creeks at night and during times the tides are running hard. Fish the channel edges when the tide slows down and during the day. We managed blues to 50 lbs on the trips and had friends that knew the river better than ourselves catch fish to 65lbs.

[Chrisper4694]

i've done that trip once in april a few years ago we caught tons of blues but nothing over 10lbs....that thing or even your buddy's would've made our trip, even though they get so much bigger too!

One fish can make an entire trip worth it!

you didn't miss anything ice fishing anyway, i'm getting ready to say bring on the open water!

[JDTuna]

JDTuna,

Great fish! I've always wanted to do some cat fishing for those big girls. Did you use your own boat or hire a guide? If I wanted to hire a guide, do you have anyone you'd recommend? Do you use cut bait or live, I assume cut. What in your opinion is the best time of the season to target blues? That seems like a pretty special fishery down there, good to see a trophy fishery being taken care of. Again great catch, that 40 is huge. I know they get a whole lot bigger too, hard to imagine!

Dakota

Thanks man! PM sent.

[njflyfisher]

That's a HOG!!! nice catch man!

[Skunk City]

FAT Cats, very nice!