Where It All Began
We didn’t learn to fish—we lived it. Childhood summers on the Carolina coast weren’t vacations, they were initiation. Early mornings, bait-stained hands, throwing different baits for different species, and the thrill when the surf bent a rod and something alive pulled back. Flounder, drum, croaker, whiting, pompano—we were thrilled to catch them all. Fishing was more than a hobby; it was and adventure, excitement, and fun family time together.
That spark never faded.
From Still Water to Moving Currents
We took that excitement of coastal surf fishing home with us. When at home, we started our fishing education on lakes—quiet, glassy, predictable. You could cast and wait, watch the ripples fade and the bite of that big bass, crappie, or bluegill. It was peaceful. It was fun, especially with friends. However, as we grew up, and were able to travel on our own, the river and the bay awaited.
The James River and Chesapeake Bay
We grew up in Richmond, Virginia, shaped by the tides and currents of the James River. Often called America’s Founding River, the James River carved the path for the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown in 1607, shaping the course of American history from its earliest days.
Now Richmond sits near a geological feature called the fall line, where the hard, rocky Piedmont drops to meet the softer coastal plain. The Richmond fall line marks a seven-mile stretch of the James River where it drops roughly 100 feet in elevation—and features a dynamic mix of rocky outcrops, deep pools, shallow riffles, and intense rapids that create a uniquely challenging and diverse fishing environment. This transition creates a natural boundary, —the upper river runs fresh and swift above the fall line, while below it, tidal influences bring brackish water and tidal changes. This divide creates two worlds for fish—and for fishermen, a fishing paradise.
Learning to fish moving water is a major challenge of constant interpretation. You learn to read grasses, seams, breaks, and structure. You start asking why the current bends here, why it slows there, what structure is shaping the flow, and would that be a good spot for a water predator to camp. It’s not just about finding fish—it’s about understanding the river’s architecture, both above and below the surface.
Each stretch of moving water is different. Gradient, bottom composition, obstructions, and flow rate all combine to create microhabitats. And with that comes diversity—species that hold near grasses, others that tuck under boulders, some that cruise the currents. You’re not just fishing—you’re decoding.
The Spring Run
Springtime in Richmond is something else entirely. The run begins when the lampreys arrive, followed by waves of hickory shad and American shad, yellow and white perch, bowfin, gar, and the thundering arrival of striped bass. It’s a seasonal migration that electrifies the river—and everyone who fishes it. The river, and the banks of the river come alive in Richmond. The run is essentially two full months of fishing where one week after another, different species are in the river’s waters.
Monsters of the James River
As much fun as the spring run is, and how exciting it is to catch a diverse set of fish on a single day – its the fish that are always here that have always been some of the most exciting to catch—the mighty James River catfish. Blue cats, channel cats, and flatheads roam the underwater structure beneath the surface: large boulders, broken rock shelves, sunken logs, deep holes and piles of debris. They’re the silent kings of the James, always lurking, always ready. The amount of fun you have pulling in a river monster in moving current, just can’t be beat.
The Birth of FATKAT™
Much like the James River carved a path for the birth of a nation, it’s also shaped our vision for the future of fishing. FATKAT™ was born from a need to do better—to fish smarter, to catch more, to leave our waters cleaner for future fishermen. We wanted gear that could take advantage of moving waters, stand up to the rigors of diverse terrain, launch bait to unreachable zones, and avoid snags from underwater debris—all without leaving a trace behind. Gear built not just for performance, but for responsibility. FATKAT™ is a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the belief that the best fishing stories should never come at the river’s expense. This is our way of giving back to the waters that gave us everything. It is also why we’ve made a commitment to picking up a pound of river trash for each FATKATTM sold.
The FATKAT™ Effect
Let’s face it—fishing stories hit different when the fish are biting. The laughter gets louder, the legends grow longer, and the memories stick harder. FATKAT™ delivers on what makes those moments possible. It’s built to help you catch more fish, plain and simple.
Because every hookup sparks a story, and every cast holds the promise of victory, connection, and bragging rights. With gear that performs, your stories come alive—celebrating wins, ribbing near misses, and bonding over triumphs. FATKAT™ turns ordinary days on the water into unforgettable adventures and lifelong legends shared with friends and family.