James River Frustrations

The inside scoop on the Catfish road trip from Hell

[@angrytrucker420]

Hey Dave. Just wanted to tell you that I'm proud for you for being able to make your living doing what you love to do. Folks like me are living vicariously through folks like you, so let me say thanks and I appreciate you and what you do.

[@pdm1289]

Your resilience is one of your best features Dave. You just keep on getting after the catfish until you find them and have a video. People do not understand how many hours it takes to make a 36 minute feature. Stay with it and may you always have tight lines. 😊

[@jerrythomas4457]

Yes. He done did spilt his coffee. That catfishers Dave never did quited.

[@outdoorsopinions626]

A bad day for Catfish Dave is a lifetime fishing trip for the average fisherman! Awesome job brother! Love your content!

[@jackkeeble9272]

Thank you for all you do man love your channel

[@lext4374]

Miss Combobulated called and she wants her YETI bucket back.

[@thomasjarosz7406]

Dave, Show us Huge ones. Let the show begin. God Bless

[@thomasjarosz7406]

Dagblasted helicopters coming your videos. God Bless

[@jeffchaffee1235]

Thank you for your great videos and your time on the water.

[@brookemorgan506]

I get so excited when someone shows their cast net catches.

[@davidcleveland9815]

Awesome video Dave thanks for all your videos 🙂👍🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@jackkeeble9272]

Love your channel man

[@lexmarkrp]

No electronic help. lol Back to regular fishing before the computer age. Great video. Thanks

[@chrispemberton7000]

Great video Dave. Problems are just life. You proved how to just sort them out. Thanks for the fishing trip.

[@egomaniac247]

Man that is so cool seeing my home waters on video. Hardly anyone puts lower James River catfishing videos on youtube, most are up around Richmond area. I moved to NC years ago but this takes me back home!

[@fridaynightfishfights6661]

Staying consistent pays off, but you have to work through the tough days. Good inside scoop and, another good video. Thanks Dave.

[@olafvidar9315]

Dave, I really enjoyed your James River trip. You did fantastic in the first 5 minutes! Would like more road trips. I'd like for you to go back to the James.

[@aaronmclaughlin3999]

Fishing can definitely test your patience and be a job some days! Good video as always !

[@reavisstockard2994]

Respect! You can go without modern electronics and still do well in new water. You're a OG !

[@stubby8663]

Damn Glad you made it back Home Dave, hopefully the repairs won't cost a lot. Enjoyed the video as Always, Keep Safe and have FUN out there.

[@surf6009]

Heck ya! Great to see you out there doing what others don't. Going through the same things woes as folks do, trying to catfish, same as you.

[@popeye3305]

If I'd spilled my coffee, you'd seen a boatload of cussing kicking and spitting.

[@dylanhenry8075]

I've taken I 81 a lot, I've driven all over the country and that is the worst stretch of highway in the country. 9 times out of 10 you are gonna end up in a major traffic jam caused by a trucker doing 90.

[@flyingfisherman9076]

I hope to see you down here again. As you know, fishing a new spot, especially one with a totally different environment than you are used to, can be a crap shoot until you learn the ways of the water. Still, you did fairly well. The Chick can be a great spot. You were in a good area. Fellow KZbinr, Mike Chavez, can give you some intel on fishing there. On any given day, the bread and butter fish are going to be the size fish you caught. But the thing that makes the James what it is known for is the sow size cats that feed on that endless supply of huge shad and the vegetation that kept pestering you. A 40 to 60-pound cat is not out of the ordinary, and on any given day an 80-pounder is possible. Of course, when the planets are aligned in your favor there are 100-pound-plus fish in that water that can pull your string. It is just a fact - they are there. Where I fish in SE Virginia I know I can catch 30 to 40-pound fish, but if I want a chance at a big girl, I have to travel and fish the James, Kerr Lake, or Lake Gaston. It is an undeniable fact. As you say, "If you want to catch catfish, you have to go to the water." I say, "If you want your best shot at a 100-pound plus fish, come to Virginia. Just the facts. Thanks for the video coverage. I'll be looking for your next visit.

[@twalters4812]

Great info learned at your expense. Thank you for "leaning in".

[@MrSloanmeister]

Great show Dave 👍

[@billyproctor9047]

Dave when you have two rivers running into each other

[@giggigidy6998]

Damn Dave, glad you got home safe brother.

[@nhemekeovorabouth3420]

You did good at James river 👍 I really enjoyed watching your channel

[@striperxtremetn4267]

Little tip for ya Dave Bring some side cutters along with you for the small catfish in the net, snip snip and your ready to throw again.😀

[@tinewinther7918]

these videos are meditative.. and make the mind peaceful

[@markbeggsfishing9467]

My IONIC Batteries have done same thing 2 x in three years.( both under heavy current pull). I called them and they said recharge that battery with regular old style (15 amp)charger to wake it up. It worked both times. Enjoy these trips videos!!!

[@rayodum8540]

Hi Dave I fish the Tennessee River in Kentucky wish I could catch some of your Dinks really like watching your show keep up the good work

[@georgedavis6106]

I'm really enjoying this video you know how to catch catfish and I like how you rhyme keep coming with videos

[@cowboysfan-rw4rf]

Dagblasted guy keeps wooooing in my videos

[@jackkeeble9272]

Love it man

[@williamkost733]

Nice catch, your a trooper hanging in there, you will learn that water. I have confidence

[@bobhuber6628]

Rough trip, Dave. But a bad trip for you still makes great video snd a great trip for us.

[@swervomatic]

Dave you should come up to my neck of the woods a little further north on the Susquehanna in Maryland/Pennsylvania. Excellent catfishing

[@drewcrane3338]

Great video

[@Frank-il3kt]

Go to Buggs Island Va in the summer, national records set. Monsters usually sit in their lair during the winter.

[@theoutdoorswithdave2352]

I fish the Chick, and you're right, the tide change can be a good 4 hour difference from 1 end of the James to the other.

[@russhayes4882]

Hope you're next trip is alot better Dave !

[@wbranches1]

So glad that you made it home safe and sound. There was fish in the video...🐋🐟☺

[@patcolston2901]

Algorithms Glad you made it home. Thanks for the video.

[@billyproctor9047]

Sorry about that first thing there. It was awh s#@t thang. But when you have two rivers running into each other, then a tide with it, you don't know whether to wind your butt or scratch your watch. It's crazy, but you landed a few nice ones. You did the right thing. Good job man. You know all and all you had a good trip up there. Cought some really good size Catfish'. It was worth the trip man. Dave take care, God Bless.

[@donrichardson6577]

I'm a big fan of yours..I love catfishing..keep up the good times sir.

[@wbarney59]

Thanks Dave

[@outdoorsapproved]

I fish the chickahominy heavily I love right on it pretty much and I’d say a lot of the fish are in the lower part away from the James my personal best blue in the chick is 63lbs. The James is a a bigggg river to much to learn on it but happy to see you out this way and pretty cool to see you meet up with ole Adam haha good stuff!

[@CurseDirty606]

Sounded like that trip was one that needed extra blood pressure meds

[@austincarter948]

Hey Dave.... just watched your video..... hope everything gets better for you....i know the feeling brother.... keep fishing brother

[@Spikexphil]

Im from TN, unfortunately spent the last 16 years in VA (military). Fishing the James among other rivers around here. Its different. The fishing is BAD compared to TN, also the people here are the worst you ever met. As far as the James goes, the current can look calm on top, but the current at the bottom will be pulling where you need 10oz or more to hold it. Also depends alot on tide, time of year, and weather. The water rises from the ocean, takes a minute to push up the rivers, and the same for the fall. You got to do alot of research, and time it just right. Tide tables, current stations, astrology map. Blues in the 1lb-10lb range are EVERYWHERE and you can catch them on damned near anything. People who catch them to eat use eel, it catches alot of small fish. If youre goin for the bigger ones you need the bigger shad, best to get a gill net permit and run a gill net for bait. Its a tricky place to learn for sure.

[@egomaniac247]

Dang man where you live in VA where the people are that bad? I grew up in this area he's fishing and never had problems. I assume since you're military, you're in the Newport News/Norfolk area? In which case I'd agree.

[@jackkeeble9272]

Catfish Dave is the champion

[@combatkarl965]

I feel ya, with the weeds. The lake I fished, up until a month or so ago, is full of them, from mid spring until early fall.

[@winterhorse8463]

Dave, you have too much fun! GITTM

[@IamRemoWilliams]

The unstoppable Catfish Dave

[@davidricketts4384]

You sure have more patients than i have i would have took one look at that and left..Hope the Fishn is better coming soon back home Dave.Be Safe.O.K David Ricketts Up here at Martinsville Ind

[@sts.556]

good video man

[@MySORRELL]

THANKS!

[@ronniejohnson3781]

The james is tough In the winter man, I've been 3 trips around Osborne-deep bottom and only caught 3 over 20lbs

[@fastgunslinger]

the other side of the bridge on the west side is a large creek ( Morris creek ) ..just as you turn into the creek is a 45 ft hole.. this is a tidal river and ive always had better luck on the out going tide ,but ive caught cats both tides. good luck

[@robertrobertson5120]

Well Dave, you're not alone with Navionics chip problems. Mine does show the depth markings, but not always where it's true. 15' when it's 23' and 30' when it's 17'... wonderful.

[@basstroller6979]

I know how it feels losing your 1st cup of coffee on the boat.😢

[@royhubbard9075]

I hop You brought some of that eel home.

[@chrisriley6015]

Adam a good guy I hate that you had trouble man but glad you pulled out that big blue.

[@brandonbumgardner9410]

I'm gonna run the same ionic batteries in a car audio setup...I have one already gonna get another before the install,11 year warranty I'm sure they got you a. replacement. Thanks for sharing

[@stevehogan8829]

I used to hate dealing with icing roads in Kentuck, Tenn, and W Va. I've seen some bad bad pileups. Go South young man. Go South.

[@keithbartlett6708]

Ty

[@user-vf5zw3cm7l]

Wow!

[@mikem201]

you got more guts than me driving in that mess

[@fastgunslinger]

the next time you come down and need parts ,there is a boat repair and parts 1 mile west up rt5 left hand side tomahund marine . great work parts. thats where i get my work done

[@804_wetlines]

Downtown Richmond got some big ones

[@swervomatic]

When you travel, update the Navionics chart app on your phone so you get good detail on the charts. I figured out that when I went far away on vacation, if you dont do the update it doesnt give you much detail

[@richardpayne4396]

Winter fishing is for the brave of heart

[@waynemetayer1259]

Noticed you just throw the eel chunk back. Take the reused eel chunk and dunk it back into the plastic bag to refresh it. Works wonders

[@ifishcatfish]

Dave, if your boat is not fixed, call me. I will drive u to lake guntersville and u can have all of my boat for urself, i will just be company. I have electronics, spotlock and everything u need. Bring ur coffee.

[@marionmefford158]

Norris Lake must have been looking pretty good

[@calvinwest4996]

Fish up near the Surry nuclear plant when it's cold warm water runs through there with a lot of current and catch big catfish we have caught truck fulls of catfish out of there and 1 over 50 pounds

[@stankbaitfishing7914]

All that driving cured by a nice blue. 👌

[@daveward1935]

Be like Popeye and eat the free spinchk! Oh my garshkez....

[@JerryTolley420]

Bug Island is a real good spot on the James.

[@gtsum2]

Buggs island isn’t part of the James. It’s on the Roanoke river. But that’s where the world record blue came from recently

[@Parkersgrow31319]

Smith mountain have some big one in it also

[@Parkersgrow31319]

I really think you should’ve went to Lynchburg side that’s where the bigs live

[@twalters4812]

Lifepo4-batteries don't do well in freezing Temps. You may already know that.

[@johnydime]

Nice video, next time go up to the Potomac River!

[@claudialsmith2996]

Still a Champion. 🏆

[@tommyrandolph390]

Yes Catfish Dave gets irritated at anything and I mean anything that gets in the way of his attempt to land a catfish. He isn't rude to anybody but boy he will get disgusted. So if you are down south fishing for Catfish and you see a guy mad dogging a barking dog or cussing while he releases a fish with stripes down the side or kicking his boat trailer tire. Or turning down a waffle house waitress trying to get his phone number. It is probably the legendary catfisherman known as Catfish Dave. He just trying to make a a dag blasted fishing video. Woooooooo.

[@jamesrussian255]

Always enjoy a fishing trip even when things don't go as hoped.

[@huntfish624]

Ei's are the trick up that way every body use them and they also smoke them to eat, PS very good but expensive.

[@Northgacatfish]

Catfish Dave needs to come try lake hartwell!

[@henrymartin2126]

Route 5 bridge fished there many times

[@Leo-vf3py]

Bank or boat you rule on catfish go Dave

[@billydelong7372]

We all have trips like that.

[@PopPopJoe]

Dave, We wanted to come down and fish for Blue cats. Wanted to know what the law is on Gill Nets in the James around the Hopewell area?? Wanted to get a Gill Net but not sure on what size to get for Gizzard Shad. You have any suggestions ?? Thanks PopPop

[@stevehogan8829]

hahaha lithium ion and meters don't mix. I just always keep mine fully charged. I don't go to any state that has a "VA" in it. No W. VA or VA there's just too many dark clouds in those areas. I stay with the Ky,, TN, AL, GA, FL. Those re my priimary playgrounds. AR,, TX are good too. Thanks for the videos.

[@Firewoodmaninvirgina]

Have you considered coming up around Fredericksburg and fished the Potomac and Rapp ?

[@zombietidedave4578]

Alot of guys use the eels live up there.

[@kenlee6126]

Ur buddy there has them dialed in ! Its tactical in those waters!

[@ManiacRider3113]

Dave is president of Club BMF

[@davo8802]

👍

[@fishOnwithChris]

I'd love to fish the James

[@williamomara6248]

You should come to Kerr lake Biggs island

[@dwaynepuckett16]

Dave they the boats just gotta be seen, if you would wave to echonolig I see you good looking boat they want come back.

[@PopPopJoe]

Dave what was the name of the place you stayed. I'm looking for a place to stay down there while we fish.

[@catfishdave8192]

I stayed in a cabin at Rockahock campground