By Will Reedy, Contributing Editor

Two West Virginia record fish have been caught so far this January. Length records for grass carp and blue catfish were broken by two West Virginia anglers, the state Division of Natural Resources announced on Thursday.

Zachary Adkins, of Cabins, caught a 53.1-inch, 59-pound grass carp at Warden Lake in Hardy County on January 3.

Adkins used a large swimbait to catch the fish, which broke the previous length record of 50.75 inches. William Tucker still holds the state weight record with a 71.69-pound grass carp caught at Warden Lake in 2005.

Justin Conner, of Culloden, caught a 49.84-inch, 58.38-pound blue catfish on the Ohio River in Mason County on Jan. 11.

What was the bait used to attract such large lunkers? Find out by visiting West Virginia Explorer: Two West Virginia record fish caught so far in January