Guided Catfish & Bullhead Fishing on Roanoke River
Private Trip
River Fishing
5hour guided catfish fishing adventure on Roanoke RiverExpert staff provides equipment and local fishing knowledgeSmall group experience accommodating up to 4 guests
Get ready to experience some of the best catfish action Virginia has to offer right here on the Roanoke River. Our 5-hour guided trip is designed for anglers who want to get serious about landing quality catfish and bullheads in one of the region's most productive waterways. With room for up to 4 anglers, this isn't just another fishing trip - it's your chance to work prime catfish water with guides who know every bend, hole, and structure where these whiskered fighters love to hang out. The Roanoke's murky waters and diverse structure create perfect habitat for multiple catfish species, and we'll put you right in the thick of the action.
The Roanoke River system offers some seriously good catfish habitat, and we know exactly where to find them. You'll spend your day working deep holes, current breaks, and submerged timber where catfish patrol for food. The river's natural flow creates perfect feeding zones, especially around fallen trees and rocky structure that hold baitfish. Our guides have been working these waters for years, so you'll be fishing the spots that consistently produce rather than guessing where the fish might be. The 5-hour timeframe gives us plenty of opportunity to move between productive areas and adjust tactics based on what the fish are telling us. Expect a relaxed but focused day on the water where you'll learn proven techniques while actually catching fish. The Roanoke's diverse habitat means we can target different species throughout the trip, keeping things interesting as conditions change.
Catfish fishing is all about reading the water and putting your bait where the fish are feeding. We'll be using standard bottom rigs with circle hooks and enough weight to hold bottom in the river's current. The key is presenting natural baits like nightcrawlers, cut bait, and chicken liver right in the strike zone where catfish are actively hunting. Our guides will show you how to read your rod tip for subtle bites versus aggressive takes - catfish don't always slam the bait like bass do. We'll work areas with medium to heavy action rods that can handle both the fight and the technique of bottom fishing in current. You'll learn to distinguish between different types of bites and how to set the hook properly with circle hooks. The Roanoke's structure requires tactical bait placement, and we'll teach you how to position your offering around fallen timber and rock piles without getting snagged constantly.
Brown Bullhead are the most common catch on our Roanoke River trips, and they're scrappy little fighters that love the river's muddy bottom areas. These guys typically run 8-12 inches and have that classic bullhead attitude - they'll hit your bait hard and put up a solid fight for their size. Brown bullheads are most active during warmer months and feed heavily on worms, small fish, and organic matter along the bottom. What makes them exciting is their aggressive feeding behavior and willingness to bite throughout the day. They school up in deeper holes and along current edges, making them predictable targets when you know their patterns. Guests love them because they're action-packed and great for building confidence on the water.
Yellow Bullhead add variety to your catch and tend to be slightly smaller than their brown cousins, usually running 6-10 inches. They prefer cleaner water areas and are often found around rocky structure and gravel bottoms where they hunt for insects and small crustaceans. Yellow bullheads have a more delicate bite pattern, so they'll test your ability to detect subtle takes. Spring through early fall are prime times for targeting them, especially during evening hours when they become more aggressive. Anglers appreciate yellow bullheads because they fight disproportionately hard for their size and often travel in schools, meaning multiple hookups are common when you find them.
White Catfish are the prize catch of this trip, growing larger than bullheads and providing serious rod-bending action. These fish can reach 12-16 inches or better in the Roanoke system and have the strength to test your drag system. White catfish prefer deeper water with good current flow and are most active during low-light periods, though they'll feed throughout the day in the right conditions. They're opportunistic predators that will hit live bait, cut bait, and prepared baits with equal enthusiasm. What makes white catfish special is their combination of size and fight - they'll make multiple runs and use the current to their advantage. Guests get excited about white catfish because they're challenging to land and make for great photos and even better fish stories.
The Roanoke River's catfish population is healthy and active year-round, but prime fishing happens during the warmer months when these species are most aggressive. Our guided trips fill up quickly because word gets around fast when the fishing is good, and repeat customers know we deliver consistent results. Whether you're new to catfish angling or looking to improve your bottom fishing skills, this 5-hour trip provides the perfect combination of instruction and action. You'll leave with new techniques, confidence in reading catfish water, and hopefully a cooler full of fish. The small group size means personalized attention from our guides, so you'll get the most out of your time on the water. Book now to secure your spot on one of the Roanoke's top-rated catfish trips.
Your catfish hunting vessel comes loaded with everything needed to track down those big Roanoke River cats. This motorboat runs on a reliable 90-horsepower Yamaha that'll get you to the hotspots fast, while the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on feeding fish without spooking them. The onboard GPS keeps you positioned over productive bottom structure, and the fishfinder shows exactly what's swimming below - perfect for locating catfish holes and drop-offs where the big ones like to hang out. With room for four anglers, there's plenty of space to spread out your rods and work different baits. The boat's setup is designed specifically for bottom fishing, giving you the stable platform and fish-finding technology to make the most of your 5-hour catfish adventure on these productive waters.
Ameiurus NebulosusBrown Bullheads are muddy-brown catfish that typically run 8-12 inches, though some reach 20 inches in deeper waters. They're bottom feeders with those signature whisker barbels that help them hunt in murky conditions. You'll find them in the slower sections of the Roanoke, especially areas with muddy bottoms and vegetation. They're most active during warm weather and love feeding at night, though they bite all day when conditions are right. What makes them fun is they're not picky - they'll hit worms, chicken liver, or cut bait. Here's a local trick: use a slip-sinker rig and let your bait sit right on the bottom near fallen timber. These fish aren't migratory, so once you find a good spot, they'll likely be there again.
Ameiurus CatusWhite Catfish are the smallest of our North American catfish, usually running half a pound to 2 pounds, with the occasional 10-pounder. They're blue-gray on top with white bellies and those telltale white chin barbels. Unlike other catfish, they're not strictly nocturnal - morning fishing can be productive. Look for them in slower water with muddy bottoms, especially around structure. They prefer temps around 82°F and can handle low-oxygen conditions better than most fish. Anglers enjoy them because they're considered rare catches, and landing a big one is special. They taste great too. Pro tip: let your bait float just off the bottom instead of sitting in the mud - they'll detect it better with those sensitive barbels.
Ameiurus NatalisYellow Bullheads are smaller catfish averaging 6 inches, though some reach 25 inches. They're yellow-olive colored with distinctive white barbels under their chin. These hardy fish thrive in shallow, vegetated areas of the river where the current is gentle. They're active year-round but feed most aggressively at night. Guests love targeting them because they're not bait-shy and great for beginners - they'll eat almost anything from worms to corn to beef jerky. The meat has a sweet flavor that makes them worth keeping. My go-to tip: fish around vegetation beds with circle hooks since they tend to swallow baits deep. Use a tandem rig with size 2 hooks and you'll often double up on these scrappy little fighters.
100 Rockfish Dr, Weldon, NC, USA