New State Record Blue Catfish and Skipjack

            Two state record fish were caught on May 5, 2008, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources.

            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. This information is also available online at www.wvdnr.gov.