West Virginia’s burgeoning panfish record book saw a new entry on July 14, as Sierra Adamson of Beverly landed a pumpkinseed sunfish that officially reset the state record. Fishing the Tygart Valley River alongside her boyfriend, Ronald Davis, Adamson’s catch measured a robust 9.13 inches in length and weighed 0.62 pounds, verified by state DNR fisheries biologist Stephen Floyd. This accomplishment, first reported by www.outdoorlife.com, continues a notable year for state angling records, with West Virginia only beginning to recognize records for species like pumpkinseed sunfish, redbreast sunfish, black crappie, and redhorse sucker in 2024.
Adamson recounted the morning’s events, stating it was their second fishing spot, chosen after she finished work. The specific shoreline location has proven productive for them, yielding bass earlier in the year and now larger panfish, including bluegills, green sunfish, and redbreast sunfish. The tactical approach involved fishing near deep brush, in water approximately 6 to 8 feet deep. Adamson employed an earthworm bait, weighted to achieve depth without a bobber. Her initial cast resulted in a missed strike, but a quick re-bait and a precise second cast to the same cover proved successful.
Utilizing a spinning reel spooled with 10-pound-test line, Adamson engaged a fish that fought decisively, attempting to retreat into the available cover. Her skill in extracting the fish and bringing it to shore was critical. Upon landing, she immediately recognized it as an exceptionally large specimen, noting it was “the biggest pumpkinseed I’d ever seen.” Her familiarity with the new state record categories put her in a unique position to understand the potential significance of her catch.
Following the catch, Davis contacted the state DNR’s Elkins Operations Center for guidance on record verification. The fish was transported alive in a bucket of water to the center, a short drive from their location. The official measurement and weighing confirmed it surpassed the previous record, a 9.09-inch, 0.60-pound pumpkinseed caught by Ken Neer on June 25 at Fairfax Pond – Rehe Wildlife Management Area in Preston County.
Crucially, after its official certification, the vibrant pumpkinseed was returned to the Tygart Valley River where it was caught, swimming off without issue. Adamson expressed her intention to continue targeting panfish throughout the remainder of the year, confident in their numerous productive fishing spots. This successful record capture underscores the growing interest and precise angling within West Virginia’s emergent state record program for panfish.
