Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are an introduced species to the waters of the James River, and this commercial gamefish has “grown in numbers and size ever since state workers stocked them in the tidal James in the mid-1970s to give anglers a new challenge.”
BREAK
There are even fishing guides, such as “Got The Blues Guide Service,” for the James River, which provide an opportunity for anglers to catch their own monster James River blue catfish. Recently, a 102-pound blue was pulled from the waters of the James River. The current world record, approved by the International Game Fish Association, is a 124-pound monster blue catfish “caught in mid May [2005] by Tim Pruitt of Alton, Ill” in the Mississippi River. From the Los Angeles Times:
A 102-pound, 4-ounce blue catfish caught last week in Virginia may qualify as a new state record.
Tim Wilson was fishing with friend Danny Ayers on the James River south of Richmond when he caught the big cat on 30-pound test using cut shad as bait. The fish was so large it took both men to land it.
The behemoth is the first freshwater fish over 100 pounds caught in Virginia.
The previous record blue catfish in Virginia was this 95 lbs. 11 oz. behemoth taken from the James River:
On the Net:
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Giving “anglers a new challenge?” I’m disappointed. I’d like to see someone noodle for that baby.
That would be a challenge!
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wow.
this catfish is enormous.
very interesting and informative, thanks for sharing.
Look at the belly on that thing. What a beauty!
Oh my. I swim in the james… I had no idea there were fish that were that large in there!!!!!
You should be more worried about the Bull Sharks than the Blue cats.
Where on the James ? I’ve caught my share or 30 to 50 pounders near the 295 bridge and Dutch Gap but nothing that big .