The State Record Fish Committee of the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries has certified a new state record hybrid striped bass/white bass weighing 13 pounds. This fish was caught from the New River on May 13 by Robert Rakes of Christiansburg, Virginia. This represents the first-ever entry for this category, which required a minimum weight of ten pounds to qualify. Mr. Rakes has been a lifelong hunter, but only started fishing about a year ago. He became interested in fishing for striped bass a few months ago, but, despite extensive effort, had not caught a striper or a hybrid prior to his record fish. Not a bad first fish!

He was bank fishing in the rapidly flowing water below Claytor Lake Dam. Both striped bass and hybrids are stocked in the lake above, and some make their way through the dam to the New River below. The fish hit a Rapala Super Shad Rap and took him for a wild ride in the swirling waters before succumbing after a ten-minute battle. Hybrids are well-known for their strength and are very popular game fish for that reason. Although Mr. Rakes didn’t know what species he had at the end of his line until he brought it ashore, he knew it was big so he kept the drag loose in the hopes that it wouldn’t break the line.

Although hybrids can be confused with striped bass, he and his friends were fairly certain that the fish was a record hybrid. Had it been a striped bass, it would not have been anywhere near the current state record of 53 pounds, 7 ounces, caught in Leesville Reservoir. So, he was relieved when VDGIF Fisheries Biologist Bill Kittrell confirmed that his fish was indeed a hybrid and certified scales verified the weight at 13 pounds. Go to the Department’s website for a current list and photos of Virginia’s state record freshwater fish and more information about the trophy fish program.

– Report from the VA Department of Game & Inland Fisheries