On the afternoon of June 18, Jack Backman of Harrisburg, South Dakota, along with his friend Garrett Johnson, embarked on a fishing trip at Wall Lake, a 220-acre body of water near Wall, South Dakota. What began as a pursuit for walleye quickly transformed into an extraordinary event, culminating in the capture of a magnificent pumpkinseed sunfish. This impressive specimen not only shattered a longstanding state record but also highlighted the unexpected treasures that can be found in familiar waters. The meticulous process of verifying the catch, from the initial realization of its potential significance to the official weigh-in, underscores the angler's dedication and the rigorous standards required for record-breaking achievements in the world of fishing. This remarkable catch serves as a testament to the thrill of discovery and the potential for any fishing outing to yield a historic moment.
Backman's catch, a surprising pumpkinseed that weighed in at a full pound, officially eclipsed the previous South Dakota state record of 12 ounces, a benchmark held for 56 years since 1970. The angler's initial intention was to target walleye, but his forward-facing sonar revealed an unexpected mark, prompting him to cast a ¼-ounce black Northland tungsten jig baited with a nightcrawler. The immediate strike and the subsequent realization that he had hooked a large pumpkinseed, a species he hadn't known inhabited Wall Lake, set the stage for this record-breaking feat. The journey from the initial catch to official recognition involved careful documentation, including a video of the weigh-in and completing the necessary paperwork for state record authorization, solidifying its place in South Dakota's angling history.
An Unforeseen State Record on Wall Lake
On a casual fishing excursion for walleye at Wall Lake, South Dakota, angler Jack Backman made an astonishing discovery. Utilizing his boat's forward-facing sonar, he identified a substantial fish lurking approximately 30 feet from a nearby tree, suspended two feet beneath the surface in 14 feet of water. What he initially believed to be a crappie, due to its size being smaller than the walleye he sought, turned out to be an exceptionally large pumpkinseed sunfish. This unexpected catch, landed with a ¼-ounce black Northland tungsten jig tipped with a nightcrawler, quickly revealed its vibrant colors, confirming its species and igniting the realization that he had caught something truly special. The immediate strike on his lure marked the beginning of an unforgettable angling experience that would soon rewrite the state's record books.
Jack Backman's incredible catch not only brought an element of surprise but also culminated in breaking a 56-year-old state record. After netting the fish with the help of his buddy Garrett Johnson, and realizing they didn't have a scale on board, they made the decision to get an accurate measurement. A friend's Bubba scale initially registered the fish at just over a pound, hinting at its record-breaking potential given the previous state record of 12 ounces. To confirm, they sought a certified scale at a local grocery store, where the pumpkinseed officially weighed one pound. This meticulous process, including documenting the weigh-in on video and submitting official paperwork, led to the fish being formally recognized as the new South Dakota state record. Backman, who had never encountered a pumpkinseed in Wall Lake before, now plans to have this magnificent specimen mounted, preserving the memory of his remarkable and unexpected achievement.
From Walleye Hunt to Record-Breaking Sunfish
Jack Backman's fishing trip on June 18th took an unexpected turn from targeting walleye to landing a historic pumpkinseed. While using his boat's forward-facing sonar on Wall Lake, he detected a significant fish lurking in 14 feet of water, two feet below the surface. Despite his intention to catch a walleye, he cast a ¼-ounce black Northland tungsten jig baited with a nightcrawler towards the unknown target. The fish struck immediately, and upon reeling it in, Backman realized he had caught a pumpkinseed, a species he hadn't known existed in Wall Lake. The fish's vibrant colors confirmed its identity, and its impressive size prompted him and his friend to consider the possibility of a new state record, setting in motion the process of official verification.
The journey to validate this record-breaking catch involved several crucial steps, beginning with the initial weigh-in. Lacking a scale on their boat, Backman and Johnson contacted a friend who possessed a Bubba scale, which indicated the fish was just over a pound. Recognizing the potential to surpass the existing 12-ounce state record, set way back in 1970, they proceeded to a nearby grocery store for an official weigh-in on certified scales. The fish's weight was confirmed at exactly one pound, decisively breaking the previous record. This significant event was meticulously documented through video and official paperwork, leading to the fish's formal acceptance as a new South Dakota state record. Backman, a soon-to-be freshman at Lake Area Technical College, expressed his intention to have the fish taxidermied, ensuring this remarkable achievement is forever commemorated, despite his prior unfamiliarity with pumpkinseed in Wall Lake.