Ravenswood, W.Va. – On a quiet Friday evening, Tyler Harmon set out on the Ohio River with his father, Rodney, and his four‑year‑old son, Walker, hoping for a small catch that his son could reel in. Instead, the family landed a 72.75‑pound blue catfish, establishing a new West Virginia state weight record.
Family outing turns into record‑breaking moment
The Harmons anchored their 18‑foot aluminum boat in a familiar stretch of the river, spreading four catfish rods behind the vessel. The water was about 25 to 30 feet deep, and submerged trees and brush provided ideal habitat for large catfish.
After a barge passed, its wake loosened the boat’s anchor and set the vessel drifting. One of the rods suddenly went taut, and Tyler realized they had hooked something far larger than a typical catfish. “It just started stripping drag,” he recalled. “We’re not stuck on anything. That’s a fish.”
Twenty minutes of battle
Tyler fought the blue catfish for roughly 20 minutes, keeping his 40‑pound test line clear of submerged brush and the boat’s anchor line. The fish repeatedly surged around the bow, even prompting Walker to think it was a shark when it first broke the surface.
When the fish finally surfaced, Rodney grabbed the landing net, but the catfish’s weight bent the aluminum handle. Together, the three men hoisted the massive creature aboard. Realizing the catch might be a record, Tyler immediately began looking for state fisheries officials to certify the weight.
Preserving the catch overnight
Because it was late on a Friday night, no fisheries personnel were available. The Harmons quickly shifted to preservation mode, dumping buckets of river water over the catfish to keep it alive. Rodney raced home for a livestock tank, filled it with river water, and added an aerator. The next morning, a West Virginia fisheries official arrived with a certified scale.
The official recorded the fish at 72.75 pounds, 48.15 inches long, and 33.5 inches around – surpassing the previous record of 71 pounds set by Michael Ramey earlier this year in the same river stretch.
Potential cash prize and future plans
The record‑setting catch also qualifies for a cash award offered by Catch The Fever, the maker of Tyler’s Hellcat rod. The company runs a promotion that pays anglers who catch state‑record fish with its equipment. While the paperwork is still under review, the fish appears to meet the criteria for the full $20,000 payout.
Tyler said he bought the rod partly because of the promotion, noting, “You never know when a big one might bite.” If the prize is confirmed, he plans to use the money toward a down‑payment on a new home.
Respect for the river
After the official weighed and measured the catfish, the Harmons returned the live fish to the Ohio River near the capture site, emphasizing a commitment to conservation and respect for the waterway. Tyler mentioned he may eventually have a replica mount made, but the fish itself will continue to thrive in its natural habitat.
Looking ahead, Tyler is already eyeing West Virginia’s flathead catfish record, a mark that has stood for roughly 70 years. “Why not,” he said, smiling at the prospect of another family adventure on the river.
Local significance
This achievement highlights the rich fishing tradition along the Ohio River and showcases how family outings can turn into historic moments. The record brings pride to the Ravenswood community and underscores the importance of preserving our waterways for future generations.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
