The bug bit Rob Choi a few years back when he was Christmas shopping for his dad. The lifelong angler was trolling the Orvis store in Short Pump with his mom, looking for a fishing-related gift, when he saw a beautiful kayak hanging from the rafters. He knew his mom was thinking about a canoe for his dad, but he immediately saw the appeal of a kayak specifically outfitter for anglers.

It’s not always easy to explain an obsession. Why do we get fixated on one thing, unable to let it go? Why a four-hour marathon? Why a Boone & Crockett buck? Why Cubs baseball? Even harder to explain is someone else’s obsession. So, as best I can, I’ll let Brian Parrish describe what happened the morning of July 19, 40 miles off the coast of North Carolina, and why he can’t get it out of his mind.

For 20 years, Tim Wilson has been driving from Natural Bridge Station to the Richmond area to fish the James River for blue catfish. He could stay home and fish the upper James for smallmouth bass, but “I just love big fish,“ he said. “When we started fishing down there, if you caught a 20-pounder, you caught a big fish.“ On Wednesday, Wilson, 51, and cousin Danny Ayers, using cut shad as bait, caught the biggest blue cat in Virginia history—a 102-pound, 4-ounce behemoth. Once officially certified, it will surpass the previous record of 95 pounds, 11 ounces set by Archie Gold in June 2006. The world record 124-pound blue catfish was caught on the Mississippi River in May 2005.

Castaway Sporting Goods (804-706-9100) reports small and medium minnows are the best bait for crappie, which are being caught in the ponds and lakes. Herring and shad are on the way out. Bloodworms are the bait of choice for white perch. Croaker are coming in. Chickahominy Tournament results: 1. James Shores Jr. / Neal Allen , 5 fish, 17.45 pounds; 2. Robert Lathan / Adam Lathan , 5, 16.42; 3. Brian Kirkpatrick / Chris Merritt , 5, 16.07; 4. Jonney Jackson / Stan Keyser , 5, 15.85; 5. Joel Ridgeway / Richard Owen , 5, 14.72; Ke vin Best / Brian Kelly , big fish, 7.51 pounds.

When I introduced my monthly urban oasis series back in January, I received an email from Vee Davis suggesting I visit Three Lakes Park in Henrico County. It seemed perfect. I had never heard of it but, after doing a little research, realized the park had much to offer. Fishing lakes, trails, and a nature center and other habitat display areas.

People like fishing for lots of reasons. Primarily, though, they like catching fish.

As a young man, Richard Charles “Dick” Wolff and a buddy he grew up with in New York City’s Bronx borough would drive a Studebaker into the Adirondack Mountains, fold the seats flat and spend the night, eager for the next day’s fishing. Fishing, camping and hunting evolved into a lifelong passion and life’s work, said his son, Warren Wolff of Danville.

The activity levels of America’s youth are often lamented, and probably deservedly so. We’re all familiar with news reports of rising child obesity and attention disorders. We see the inordinate amounts of time many kids spend in front of computers, TVs and video games. If the message doesn’t sink in when you tell your kid he or she needs to go do something constructive, I have the solution: Take them to Green Top Sporting Goods tomorrow.

The search for Richmond native Corey Smith and two other missing boaters has been suspended. The Coast Guard ended its search in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast last night at 6:30. Smith is one of four fishermen lost at sea when the boat from which they were fishing capsized in rough waters Saturday. One of the men was rescued. The men were about 30 miles off the coast of Clearwater, Fla.

Castaway Sporting Goods (804-706-9100) reports crappie up to two pounds biting well, epsecially with small to medium minnows.

When it comes to getting outdoors during the winter months, Larry Rohr, Terry Rea and their disc golf compatriots follow the mail carriers’ code. “Neither rain nor snow . . . nor gloom of night” shall keep them from their appointed rounds.

Castaway Sporting Goods (804-706-9100) reports crappie are being caught using small and medium minnows. Striper action is picking up. Capt. Mike Ostrander of James River Fishing School (804-938-2350) reports water temperature at 67 degrees. With cold temperatures at night over the past few days, water temperatures are sure to drop, offering better catfishing. Mike Atkins (Chesapeake) caught 10 bluecats weighing to 40 pounds on cut gizzard shad.

Castaway Sporting Goods (804-706-9100) reports crappie are in full swing. Notable catches: Ronnie Zervakis (Chesterfield) and Mike Zervakis (Chester) two stripers, 19, 24; Pete Walker (Richmond) bluecat, 63 pounds, 4 ounces; Jason Gibbs (Richmond) bluecat, 41, 12. Capt. Art Conway of Conway’s River Rat Guide Service (804-746-2475) out of Ed Allen’s Boats and Bait reports lake water temperatures were in the midto high-60s last weekend and the water level was at full pool.