BALTIMORE, MD—A Timonium ex-pat who retired to lower Delaware has had nothing but bad luck in his fishing expeditions for rockfish. But when it comes to playing the Maryland Lottery, he recently boated the big one: a $100,000 prize on the $10 In the Money scratch-off.

Taking the nickname “Unlucky Fisherman” for purposes of telling his tale of good Lottery luck, the player claimed his prize this week at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. He bought the winning instant ticket more than a month ago.

A Baltimore area native who lived in Timonium for 33 years, “Unlucky Fisherman” still has plenty of ties to the area. Those ties include his doctors. On a recent trip when he arranged doctor, dentist, and haircut appointments in Maryland on the same day, he also swung by Ridgely Liquors at 1752 York Road in Lutherville to pick up some Maryland Lottery games. Before he and his wife moved out of state, the winner made Lottery purchases at Ridgely Liquors part of his routine.

One of the tickets purchased during the medical and hair-care excursion ended up being worth $100,000, but “Unlucky Fisherman” was too busy enjoying retirement to claim the prize. He and his wife had a longstanding vacation trip planned so he waited until their return to visit Lottery headquarters.

An avid angler long before he retired, “Unlucky Fisherman” has plenty of fish stories, notably one involving the capture of a 25-pound rockfish in the Chesapeake Bay near Hart-Miller Island. But all he ended up with was the story. The trophy fish was caught out of season and had to be released.

Since retiring, he has spent many hours in his boat in pursuit of rockfish and bluefish, all to no avail. He’s caught plenty of rays and skates, as well as the occasional flounder and a few other finned creatures. His alias reflects his lack of success in pursuit of Maryland’s official state gamefish.

As for his plans for the money, “Unlucky Fisherman” hasn’t made up his mind. He’s already retired, already has a boat and already travels to fun destinations.