A Wayne County, West Virginia, man was arrested a state record channel catfish in the pond on his father’s farm in South Charleston with an unexpected rod.
John Tyler Rutherford reeled in a 43.51-inch-long, 46.70-pound channel catfish, according to a news release from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR).
Rutherford reportedly reeled in the big fish on July 21 using his daughter’s fishing rod and worms as bait.
“I got my daughter a little $9.99 pink rod…she’s 3 and she can reel them in, but she can’t throw it out. So I threw it out for her and I held the rod and she sat in my knee,” he tells West Virginia Outdoors.
The usual length for channel catfish is 22 inches with the longest maximum reported length being 52 inches, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
“West Virginia’s incredible fishing opportunities continue to amaze and attract anglers from far and wide and this record-breaking achievement showcases the world-class fishing adventures our state has to offer,” said Gov. Jim Justice in the WVDNR press release.
The last West Virginia record for channel catfish was set in 2022 for length and 2023 for weight.
Rutherford’s catch topped them both.
WVDNR Director Brett McMillion congratulated Rutherford on his outstanding catch.
“This remarkable achievement highlights the superior quality of West Virginia’s fisheries and our team’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing these aquatic resources,” McMillion said in the release.
The state also set new records for tiger trout, redbreast walleye, bowfin, redar sunfish and black crappie caught this year.
Fox News Digital reached out to WVDNR and Rutherford for comment.