A state record blue catfish was caught by Chad Bright of Henderson in Mason County. He caught the 36.85-inch, 27.2-pound fish from Krodel Lake in Mason County using a live crayfish. Bright’s catch establishes a new West Virginia record for weight and length. The previous record for blue catfish was a 36.5-inch, 24.37-pound fish caught by Sam Morrison from the Ohio River in 2005.

Christian Pyles of Gallipolis Ferry in Mason County caught a state record skipjack from the Ohio River in Mason County. Pyles caught the 18.9-inch, 2.39-pound fish that establishes a new state record for length. The current weight record of 2.61-pounds was caught by Steve Skeens from the Kanawha River in 2002.

Anglers who believe that they have caught a state record fish should check the record listing in the 2008 Fishing Regulations brochure. The brochure also outlines the procedure to follow for reporting their catch.

News Source: West Virginia DNR - May. 15, 2008