DARLINGTON, MD—A lifelong Harford County fisherman has become the 18th person to earn a Master Angler Milestone Award since the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program started in 2019.
Thomas Over Jr., 30, of Darlington, achieved the milestone by catching and releasing ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland waters. Over, who grew up in Jarrettsville and moved to Darlington seven years ago, is a state record holder for rock bass in the Chesapeake division with a 1.0-pound fish caught in the Susquehanna River that tied a record from 1997.
“Fishing has always been a passion since I was a kid, thanks to my father,” Over said in a statement. “Growing up, I did more saltwater fishing than freshwater due to his obsession with offshore fishing. After moving closer to one of the greatest fisheries in the area, the upper Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River, I’ve spent countless hours on the water in search of every species that swims.”
Over’s qualifying catches, in order, were:
- Chesapeake Channa (northern snakehead) — 30.1 inches
- Blue catfish — 41.25 inches
- Rock bass — 10.5 inches
- Yellow perch — 14.25 inches
- Smallmouth bass — 20.75 inches
- Muskellunge — 40.75 inches
- Striped bass — 44.25 inches
- Blue marlin — 78 inches
- White marlin- 60 inches
- Crappie — 15.5 inches
“Luck definitely had some play in this Master Angler award with the state record rock bass catch while targeting yellow perch, and the musky catch while dragging a jig through lay downs on the Conowingo Reservoir while bass fishing,” Over said. “Thanks to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for running this program and sparking interest in the sport, especially for younger anglers!”
Maryland’s FishMaryland program encourages year-round recreational fishing and offers affordable, accessible, diverse, and high-quality fishing opportunities. The program’s website provides information about the Master Angler Milestone Award and the FishMaryland program, including over 60 award-eligible species.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo via Maryland DNR
Do you value local journalism? Support NottinghamMD.com today.
