A massive blue catfish, measuring over 4 feet in length and weighing more than 64 pounds, has broken West Virginia’s state length record. Kimberly Feltner of Madison, Indiana, made the impressive catch last month on the Ohio River at the R.C. Byrd Pool, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). The fish was caught using cut mooneye bait.
Measuring 50.82 inches, the blue catfish surpassed the previous state length record of 50.7 inches, set in 2022. Although the catch set a new length record, it fell short of breaking the weight record, which still stands at 69.45 pounds. Feltner’s fish weighed in at 64.15 pounds.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice expressed his excitement over the remarkable catch, stating, “With record-breaking catch after record-breaking catch, it’s no surprise that West Virginia’s world-class fishing continues to attract anglers from all over. Congratulations to Kimberly Feltner on this amazing accomplishment.”
The state has seen a surge in record-breaking catches this year, with nine records being broken so far. In a notable instance, an angler broke the black crappie length record, only to have his fishing companion surpass it with an even larger catch later the same day.
WVDNR director Brett McMillion highlighted the significance of the achievement, noting that blue catfish records have been broken several times in recent years. He attributed this success to effective fishery management, saying, “The repeated breaking of blue catfish records in West Virginia demonstrates the success of our management efforts. We’re excited to see what other records might fall as both resident and non-resident anglers continue to discover the trophy fish our waters produce.”
West Virginia continues to stand out as a premier destination for anglers seeking to reel in record-setting catches. The state’s waters are proving to be rich in opportunities for those in search of world-class fishing experiences.
Image/Source: CBSNews
