So where do you start?? I would suggest at least your first trip to the James to get a guide. If you are going to the James for the first time it never hurts to hire a guide to get somewhat a feel for the river. I had studied the maps & charts quite a bit and still was surprised to to be somewhat disorientated my first trip.

The thing with the James you can get in shallow water real quick...infact I noticed the guide carried a 1.5 dia x 20' long push pole on his boat just in case he gets hung up and he has been fishing the James for a number of years. I went to Lowes and bought a closet dowel that is 1.5 dia and 12 foot long I now carry on my boat.

Click on each guide service below to get to their website.

**Note** The below list of guides has no particular order or meaning. To the best of my knowledge each on the list of James River Guides is US Coast Guard Licensed.

EBERWEIN'S CATFISHING

Chris Eberwein

(804) 449-6134

OLD DOMINION OUTDOORS, LLC

Neil Renouf

Lodging & Boat Storage Available
Close to Deep Bottom Landing & Jordan Point.

(804) 539-8023 Cell

JAMES RIVER FISHING SCHOOL

Mike Ostrander

BIG CAT GUIDE SERVICE

Scott Cannon & Eric Gwinn

James River Catfishing Guides Services

Hugh's Catfishing Guide Service

(804) 598-1141

(804) 426-2944 Cell

Bobby's Catfishing Guide Service

Night Stalker Guide Service

(804) 349-3898

Email: captgold@nightstalkerfishing.com

Fat Cat Guide Service

Joe Hecht

(804) 221-1951

Email: captjoe@fatcatguide.com

RIVER CAT'N GUIDE SERVICE

Josh Fitchett

(804)-836-5220

Get Slimed Fishing Charters

Wayne Long

(804)731-4757 Cell

Jimmy Weir

*Note*- Have heard that Jimmy Weir is no longer guiding but will keep him listed as honorable mention. A legend on the James River.

In-Fisherman Article with Jimmy

(757) 464-1112

Chris Harris

*Note*- Have heard that Chris Harris is no longer guiding but as long as he has his site up I will keep it listed.

(804) 314-9629