Captain
Owen Koch

Member since August 2024 Arlington, United States
Background
I have fished the Potomac River for nearly 40 years. As a DC-area local, I feel a profound connection to the river and its history. I love sharing my passion for fishing, local history, and making unforgettable memories.
Techniques
Drifting, jigging, "run-and-gun"-- all condition-dependent.

Hey, I'm Captain Owen Koch

Arlington, United States
Background
I have fished the Potomac River for nearly 40 years. As a DC-area local, I feel a profound connection to the river and its history. I love sharing my passion for fishing, local history, and making unforgettable memories.
Techniques
Drifting, jigging, "run-and-gun"-- all condition-dependent.
Anglers Choice
53
Reviews
5
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Capital Blues Fishing Charters

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(53 reviews)
Angler's choice
Arlington
 4 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $355

Fishing Reports

Winter Bite is Strong
Winter Bite is Strong
Jan 3, 2025 Arlington
Despite the cold, there are plenty of places where the big ones can be caught. Typically, the big fish hunker down in deeper water this time of year, but will at times move into shallower water to feed, depending on the air pressure, temperature, and several other factors. Washington DC has the benefit of several warm-water discharges, which at times can be 15 degrees warmer than the rest of the river. Shad, the primary forage for big blues, are not very cold-tolerant, and so will congregate around these areas. Last trip out on 3 January found some good 30 pounders in deep water, but the 44# above was caught shallow, just ahead of a big front. Unlike channel catfish and flatheads, blue cats do feed actively over the winter; their metabolisms slow down, but smaller baits in the right place will get them to bite. As long as the river conditions are safe, it is a great time of year to bundle up and get out on the water!
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Big ones are biting if you can find them
Big ones are biting if you can find them
Nov 11, 2024 Arlington
There are plenty of big fish to be caught this time of year, but you need to be persistent to find them. The channel off JBAB holds lots of fish along the edges, but the bite fluctuates greatly with the tides. Video above was taken below channel marker 7, found a similar sized fish in the morning at the bottom of the incoming tide on 11NOV by marker number 9. Deep holes south of Blue Plains are hit and miss; I found a 45 pounder in one last week but was empty a few days later. Best strategy for this time of year: target the moving tides (if you can), don't stay in one spot for too long if the fish aren't biting, and try varying water depths until you find where the fish are congregating. I have had best luck on chicken, followed by fresh cutbait. Now is a great time to get out onto the water-- give me a shout to book your next trip!
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45# at the DC line
45# at the DC line
Nov 8, 2024 Arlington
Marked a lot of fish in holes 18-20' deep between Blue Plains and Wilson Bridge, including this 45#. Did reasonably well at the top of Wahington channel earlier this week on the outgoing tide, with 11# and 21# in the span of about 30 minutes. With unseasonably warm temps, its a great time to book your next trip!
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Fall bite is on fire!
Fall bite is on fire!
Oct 5, 2024 Arlington
River is up after recent rains, but the big ones were biting today! Lots of fish in the 15-33# range with several doubles throughout the morning. Top of the incoming tide, fish were concentrated in 6-10 feet of water below Blue Plains. Chicken was the hot bait today, but they were also consistently hitting cut shad. With water temps down to low 70s/high 60s, now is a great time to book a trip!
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Plenty of fish despite the heat!
Plenty of fish despite the heat!
Aug 24, 2024 Arlington
Here in DC, the fish are still scattered due to the normal high summer water temperatures. Bigger fish (20# and above) are tougher to come by this time of year, but we've had plenty of success in the 10-15# category the last few weeks. Fishing a combination of bottom and suspended baits (fish, chicken, deer trimmings) from Key Bridge to Roosevelt Bridge has been productive in depths over 10 feet. When the sun is high, shaded areas and pilings from the numerous bridges in the city consistently hold fish. Bigger fish should be migrating up above Key Bridge once temps cool off in the coming weeks- September through November should be a great time to hit the water!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 53 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (111)
Great Trip
Great catfish trip
Great catfish trip
+108
Angler rating
52
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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5 of 53 reviews
Gopala Krishnam Raju Gottumukkala
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

June fishing trip

VERIFIED   5:00 PM- 4 Hours on June 22, 2025
Gopala Krishnam Raju Gottumukkala recommends Capital Blues Fishing Charters
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Chris G.
Ashburn, Virginia
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day with Captain Koch!

06:30 AM- 4 hours on June 23, 2024
Highly recommended!ย  Owen took us on a perfect trip, to some great spots on the river for swimming and fishing.ย  And our...
Chris G. recommends Capital Blues Fishing Charters
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Karen P.
Sterling, VA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Owen

January 1, 1970
Karen P. recommends Capital Blues Fishing Charters
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