Maryland Has Its 18th Master Angler

Master Angler Thomas Over Jr. holds a trophy-sized striped bass that was caught and released in January. (Photo courtesy of Thomas Over Jr., used with permission by Maryland DNR)

Thomas Over Jr. of Darlington, MD, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.

Mr. Over, 30, is the 18th Master Angler since the program began in 2019. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch 10 trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland.

He is a lifelong resident of Harford County, growing up in Jarrettsville and moving to Darlington seven years ago.

“Fishing has always been a passion since I was a kid, thanks to my father,” Mr. Over said. “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.”

Read more about Mr. Over’s qualifying catches here.

FishMaryland is Maryland’s recreational fishing award program and is a fun way to explore year-round recreational fishing. Information on the Master Angler Milestone Award, and the FishMaryland program, including the more than 60 award-eligible species, is available on the program’s website.

Fishing licenses can be purchased online or in person at license agent locations. License, fishing tackle, ammunition, boats, and marine fuel purchases fund DNR’s fish and wildlife conservation work.