SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — An Ohio angler caught a West Virginia state record skipjack on April 29 from the Ohio River.
Ethan Moss of Gallipolis caught the 20.15-inch, 3.1-pound skipjack in the RC Byrd Tailwaters south of Point Pleasant, breaking the previous record for both length (19.21 inches) and weight (2.64 pounds) held by Zachary Hankins since 2013.
Skipjacks are not a game fish but are a popular bait fish for catching catfish. Because of similar features, some anglers refer to them as freshwater tarpon, which is a saltwater game fish.
Anglers who believe they may have caught a state record fish should check the current records in the fishing regulations at wvdnr.gov. Procedures for reporting a record catch also are included in the regulations.
