You might see him on the banks of the Potomac River at 3:00 AM.
He’s probably wearing a diamond-encrusted pendant of himself holding a massive fish. He’s definitely shouting about a "big takedown." This is Ernest Robinson, but to his nearly two million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, he is exclusively Ernie the Hog Snatcher.
He isn't just a guy with a fishing pole. He is a cultural phenomenon in Washington D.C., a city better known for suits and policy than for pulling 60-pound "hogs" out of murky river water. Ernie has turned urban fishing into a high-octane spectator sport.
Who Exactly is Ernie the Hog Snatcher?
Ernest Robinson is a former college football player from Fayetteville State University. That athletic background shows. Reeling in a blue catfish the size of a human child isn't just about patience; it’s a physical brawl.
Robinson grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland. While most kids were focused on the bright lights of the city, he was drawn to the water. He eventually realized that the Potomac and Anacostia rivers—waterways many locals consider "dirty" or "empty"—were actually teeming with monster fish.
He calls them hogs. Or "slobs." Or "freaking tanks."
His vocabulary is half the draw. If you’ve spent any time on his livestreams, you know the lingo. A small fish is a "dink." A successful night means the "bite is fire." And his ultimate philosophy?
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"The tug is a drug."
Honestly, it’s hard to argue with that when you see a rod bend nearly in half while the Georgetown waterfront twinkles in the background.
The Reality of Potomac River Fishing
There is a huge misconception that you can't find anything "real" in the Potomac near the city. Ernie proved that wrong. He routinely pulls out blue catfish weighing 40, 50, or even 60 pounds.
These are invasive species, technically. Blue catfish were introduced to the Chesapeake Bay region decades ago and they have absolutely exploded in population. They eat everything. This makes them a bit of an environmental headache, but for a fisherman like Ernie, it makes for a "free roller coaster" every time he casts a line.
People always ask: Does he eat the fish?
It’s a fair question. The Potomac has a complicated history with pollution. While Ernie does "catch and cook" videos—sometimes renting Airbnbs specifically to cook up his haul—he’s also very aware of the river’s reputation. For him, the joy is often in the hunt and the community he's built. He even took a local Fox 5 News crew out on the water recently to show them that the "monsters" are real.
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Why People are Obsessed
Why does a guy catching catfish in the dark have millions of followers?
- Authenticity. He isn't a polished TV host. He’s a guy in a hoodie (or a very expensive chain) talking to his phone like it’s his best friend.
- The Surprise Factor. Seeing a massive, slimy creature emerge from the water right next to the Kennedy Center is jarring. It feels like a glitch in the urban matrix.
- The Grind. Ernie stays out all night. He streams in the rain. He traveled all the way to Portland, Oregon, just to hunt for 100-pound Sturgeon with fellow anglers like Da_Snippa.
He’s also bridged the gap between different worlds. You’ll see him fishing with comedians like David Lucas, talking about everything from football to the "haters" in his comments. He’s made fishing "cool" for a younger, more urban demographic that previously had zero interest in the sport.
The Gear and the Technique
If you want to catch hogs like Ernie, you aren't using a plastic rod from a big-box store.
He typically uses heavy-duty setups. We're talking "Hellcat" rods and "Big Cat Fever" gear. He often uses "Slime Line" and specialized "Nocturnal" hooks. When you are fighting a fish that has the leverage of a small car in a moving current, your equipment cannot fail.
He’s a bank fisherman at heart. While he does use boats occasionally, much of his most famous footage comes from the shore. This makes his success even more impressive. He has to know exactly where the deep holes are, where the current slows down, and where those big blues are scavenging for an easy meal.
Common Questions About Ernie's Setup
- Bait: He often uses fresh cut bait. Think shad or even smaller catfish (the "using catfish to catch a bigger catfish" method).
- Locations: Usually "secret spots" around Georgetown, the National Harbor, or Alexandria’s Founders Park.
- Timing: Late night or "crack of dawn." The big ones don't like the sun.
What’s Next for the Hog Snatcher?
Ernie isn't slowing down. His subscriber count on YouTube is hovering around 250,000, but his short-form content on TikTok and Instagram is where the massive numbers live. He’s becoming a brand.
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He recently hit a new personal best (PB) with a 52-pound blue cat, and he’s constantly chasing that elusive 100-pounder. Whether he's in Florida for a 24-hour multi-species challenge or just sitting under a bridge in D.C., he's turned the quietest hobby in the world into something loud, flashy, and impossible to look away from.
If you’re looking to get started in urban fishing, take a page out of Ernie’s book. Don't worry about having the fanciest boat. Find a spot on the bank, get some heavy-duty line, and wait for that "big takedown."
Practical Steps for Aspiring Urban Anglers:
- Check Local Regulations: In D.C., you need a specific license to fish in the Potomac or Anacostia. Don't skip this; the harbor patrol does check.
- Safety First: If you’re fishing at night like Ernie, go with a partner. The riverbanks can be slippery and dark.
- Gear Up: Don't bring a knife to a gunfight. If you’re targeting blue cats, use at least 30-50 lb test line.
- Respect the Water: Keep the banks clean. Ernie often talks about the "culture" of fishing, and a big part of that is making sure the spots stay accessible and clean for the next person.
The "hog" is out there. You just have to be willing to lose a little sleep to find it.
To get the most out of your own fishing trips, you can study Ernie’s specific "River Rigs" on his YouTube channel, where he breaks down exactly how he ties his hooks to withstand those 50-pound runs. Focus on mastering the Carolina Rig or the Santee Cooper Rig, as these are the standards for the heavy-current catfishing Ernie popularized in the Mid-Atlantic.