Tonight’s fishing trip on the Potomac was something special. Libby, my wife’s best friend, joined us for the first time ever on our boat and for bluecat fishing. With my wife and daughter out of town for a softball tournament in Colorado, we decided to give Libby a proper introduction to the sport. Spoiler alert: it was a night to remember.
Libby is a fun and fearless 25-year-old, half my wife’s age (she’s 50). Even though she’s been fishing before, this was her first time on our boat and fishing bluecats with us. We had high hopes for her first trip and knew she’d keep things lively. Here are some quick facts about Libby:
- Never cut up an eel before
- Never fished bluecats on this boat
- A self-proclaimed wild child
- Brings plenty of humor to the trip
Our plan was simple: keep Libby busy catching fish on the muscle bed, a known hotspot for bluecats. The weather and water conditions were tricky after a big storm hit the day before. The current was running at 11,000 cubic feet per second—massively higher than the usual 3,000. Because of this, we decided to stick around the muscle bed to take advantage of the active bite. If the night went on, we planned to head to Woodrow area where the current would be going out. Overall, staying downriver promised more action and less hassle.
Just 12 seconds after dropping the bait, Libby caught her personal best (PB) bluecatfish. It was a rush for everyone onboard. At first, she struggled with reeling technique but quickly got the hang of it with some coaching. She learned to keep the rod tip up and reel steadily, key steps for landing bluecats.
As the night went on, we had multiple double and even a triple catch. Managing three rods and fighting multiple fish at once was intense. Hooks got tangled, lines crossed, and everyone stayed on their toes. This kind of chaos is part of what makes catfishing with friends so memorable.
The night wasn’t without surprises. A fast-moving crew boat piloted by an enthusiastic “coach” passed very close, nearly causing trouble. The wake nearly knocked Libby off the boat at one point, a moment we luckily captured on camera. These unexpected events added a dose of unpredictability and laughter.
Libby wasn’t just lucky with her first catch — she ended up landing two massive bluecats weighing 19 pounds each, both personal bests. Catching fish of that size means a good fight and a lot of excitement.
By 1:15 a.m., Libby was tired but happy, and we dropped her off after an unforgettable night. We caught roughly 30 fish, shared laughs, and made lasting memories. For anyone curious about bluecat fishing, this trip shows how much fun it can be, especially with good company.
To see all the exciting moments, check out the full video on Fishing Knot Catching’s YouTube channel. For more behind-the-scenes, follow them on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
If you want gear recommendations from the trip, brands like Alpha Boardz, Triple City Anglers, and Smackdown Rod Holders supported the trip and offer quality products.