Angler Michael John Drake has left an indelible mark on West Virginia’s fishing historical past by securing the state’s report blue catfish with a outstanding catch in December 2023. Drake’s solo fishing expedition close to Gallipollis yielded a blue catfish weighing a formidable 69.45 kilos, surpassing the earlier state report by greater than 2 kilos.
In keeping with Drake, the Mustad Demon circle hook, famend for its Opti-Angle needle level expertise, performed a pivotal function on this achievement. Using UltraPoint 4.3 expertise, Demon circle hooks from Mustad guarantee extended sharpness for optimum penetration, complemented by Nor-Tempering expertise that ensures unparalleled power. Drake, a frequent customer to the Ohio River, acknowledged the attract of chasing state data and expressed, “That’s about all I fish for. If I’m not catfishing, then I’m catching bait for catfish.” This marks the fourth time in as a few years that the West Virginia state report for blue catfish has been damaged, underlining Drake’s dedication to the flourishing fishery.
Because the 40-pound monofilament mainline peeled off the Abu Garcia 6500, Drake knew a possible world report was on the opposite finish. “I’ve caught a number of fish within the 45- to 50-pound vary, and after they hit, they’ll pull some drag. When this one hit, it smoked my reel. It let me know actually rapidly that it had some shoulders on it.” 
The revolutionary design of Demon circle hooks ensures a better hookup ratio and reduces the chance of gut-hooking, completely aligning with Drake’s moral and sustainable fishing practices. “I’ve relied on the Demon circle hook for a few years. It fits me completely as a result of I’m a CPR (catch-photo-release) man.”
Drake employed a ten/0 Demon circle hook together with recent gizzard shad, using a Carolina rig with a 24-inch, 80-pound-test monofilament chief. The 50.51-inch blue catfish engaged in a spirited 20-minute battle from the hookset to the web, revealing the spectacular power and tenacity of each the fish and the angler. With a G3 Sportsman 200 geared up with a cavernous 65-gallon livewell, Drake stored the fats cat alive onboard whereas making a couple of fast cellphone calls.
Quickly after talking with Virginia Division of Pure Sources hatchery supervisor Ryan Bosserman, on the close by riverbank Drake’s blue cat was weighed and measured, after which safely launched again into the Ohio River. “I wish to let all my fish go so I attempt to return them simply as wholesome as they after they got here within the boat. With the Demon circle hook I not often if ever intestine hook a fish. It’s at all times an ideal set within the nook of the mouth.”
Drake expressed his long-standing belief within the Mustad Demon circle hook, stating, “The way in which it really works is improbable; you interact the reel, put the rod within the holder, after which when it bends over, you crank down and the hook units within the nook.”
This outstanding achievement not solely provides a brand new chapter to the angling legacy of West Virginia’s fertile catfishing waters of the Ohio River but in addition highlights Mustad’s dedication to offering anglers with the very best high quality hooks for fulfillment, no matter species or fishery.
“You at all times hear the horror tales of all the things going improper with a giant fish. You spend on a regular basis, effort, and cash going out chasing them. I attempt to reduce out all of the potential points that might occur, and all of it begins with having the correct hook,” mentioned Drake.
