Lightning struck twice for one West Virginia angler, who edged out his previous record with an enormous chain pickerel that now holds the state’s record for length.
According to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR), Matt Born of Reedsville caught a 27.95-inch, 5.65-pound chain pickerel on April 21 while fishing a private pond in Preston County. The fish, taken on a homemade spinner and light 4-pound-test line, narrowly surpasses Born’s own previous record set in 2019.
Fisheries biologists Dustin Smith and E.M. Dean verified the catch, confirming it as the longest chain pickerel ever recorded in the state. While Born now holds both the current and former length records, the all-time weight record remains with Steven Demma, whose 6.19-pound pickerel was caught in 2001 at Tuckahoe Lake.
Born’s latest catch surpasses his earlier 27.87-inch fish, which he landed at Upper Deckers Lake, also in Preston County, in 2019. That fish had broken a previous mark of 27.75 inches, also set by Demma in 2001. It would seem there’s been somewhat of an arm’s race between the two anglers for pickerel records in West Virginia waters.
A Toothsome Predator In The Pike Family
The chain pickerel (Esox niger) belongs to the pike family, known scientifically as Esocidae, which also includes the northern pike and muskellunge. The species is widely distributed across eastern North America, from southern Canada to Florida and west into parts of Texas and the Mississippi Valley.
Pickerel are built for ambush. Long, torpedo-shaped bodies, razor-sharp teeth, and a heavy slime coating make them efficient predators in shallow, weedy waters. Their signature markings, a dark vertical line beneath the eye and a chain-like pattern along the sides, make them relatively easy to identify.
Though frequently confused with their larger cousins, pickerel differ in several key ways. Northern pike tend to grow much larger and display lighter, bean-shaped spots on a darker body, while pickerel have darker, chain-like markings on a lighter background. Also, the opercles (think of these as sort of a “cheek bone”) and cheeks of chain pickerel are entirely scaled, unlike the northern pike. Muskellunge, the largest of the group, typically show faint vertical bars and lack the distinct eye stripe that pickerel possess.
Smaller, But Ferocious
While northern pike and muskies can exceed 40 inches with ease, most chain pickerel average between 16 and 22 inches. Fish exceeding 26 inches, like Born’s record-breaker, are considered true trophies.
Despite their smaller size, pickerel are aggressive feeders and notoriously willing to strike even under difficult conditions. They thrive in shallow, vegetation-rich lakes and ponds, using cover to ambush baitfish. Unlike many species, they tolerate a wide range of temperatures, which helps explain their broad geographic distribution.
Tips for Catching Pickerel
Anglers targeting pickerel don’t need specialized gear, with standard bass tackle usually being sufficient. Fast-moving lures tend to produce the best results, particularly jerkbaits and inline spinners that mimic fleeing baitfish.
Popular choices include suspending jerkbaits like the Rapala X-Rap, known for its erratic action, and inline spinners such as the Blue Fox Vibrax, which generate vibration and flash that trigger strikes.
Soft plastics can also be effective, especially when worked slowly over vegetation. Many anglers favor paddle-tail swimbaits like the Keitech Easy Shiner or Keitech Fat Swing Impact on jig heads to entice bites in colder water.
One important consideration: pickerel have extremely sharp teeth. Using abrasion-resistant leaders, such as fluorocarbon or knottable wire, can prevent losing both fish and expensive lures. Read our comprehensive article for more tips on catching chain pickerel.
An Underrated Species
Though sometimes dismissed with nicknames like “slime dart” or “snot rocket,” chain pickerel are an exciting gamefish, particularly when other species are inactive. Their aggressive nature and willingness to strike can turn a slow day on the water into a memorable one — just as Born’s record-setting catch did in the Mountain State.
