Thomas Over spent most of his childhood fishing with his father at Ocean City and on the Susquehanna River.

Growing up in Jarrettsville and moving to Darlington seven years ago, which is closer to one of the greatest fisheries in the area — the upper Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River — he has spent countless hours on the water in search of every species that swims including largemouth bass, rockfish, snakeheads and tuna.

“I think it started when I was probably around 4 or 5 years old,” he said. “The first fishing that I ever really did as a kid, my dad used to take me up to [the] Susquehanna River to fish for shad.”

More than two decades later, the 30-year-old earned the 18th Master Angler Milestone Award, given by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.

The award recognizes anglers who catch trophy-sized fish of different species after Jan. 1, 2019, according to DNR. Each milestone is marked with a certificate and a limited edition FishMaryland Milestone sticker.

Awards include the Angler Award, which goes to those who catch three different species meeting the minimum length. They receive a certificate and a yellow sticker. The Expert Angler Award  goes to those who catch five different species meeting the minimum length; they get a certificate and a red sticker.  The Master Angler Award, goes to those who catch 10 different species meeting minimum length; they receive a certificate and a black sticker.

Over’s qualifying catches included Chesapeake Channa at 30.1 inches; blue catfish at 41.25 inches; rock bass at 10.5 inches; yellow perch at 14.25 inches; smallmouth bass at 20.75 inches; muskellunge at 40.75 inches; striped bass at 44.25 inches; blue marlin at 78 inches; white marlin at 60 inches; and crappie at 15.5 inches, according to DNR. He is also a state record holder for rock bass in the Chesapeake division with a 1-pound fish caught in the Susquehanna River that tied a record set by Timothy Adams on the Susquehanna River on May 4, 1997.

Erik Zlokovitz, recreational fisheries outreach coordinator at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said receiving a Master Angler Milestone Award is a “rare” accomplishment.

“[Over’s] the 18th Master Angler since the program began in 2019, so it’s a pretty rare achievement and it’s very impressive,” he said.

Over caught the fish in locations around the state including Ocean City and the Susquehanna River. He said it means a lot to him to have earned the Master Angler Milestone Award.

“It’s a pretty cool award and a pretty cool program they’ve got going,” he said. “It’s certainly a good way to get people involved in fishing.”

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