Diamond Jim Roams the Chesapeake (Again)

$10,000 rockfish now roaming the Chesapeake

The Diamond Jim component of the 2014 Maryland Fishing Challenge kicked off this month when DNR biologists and members of the Maryland Youth Fishing Club caught, tagged and released striped bass into the Chesapeake Bay. One of the tagged fish is the official Diamond Jim, worth $10,000 to any angler who catches it before midnight on June 30. The other tagged “imposter” rockfish are worth at least $500 each if caught and registered before midnight on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

Over the summer, hundreds of imposters and Diamond Jim will be pursued by anglers. Each month that Diamond Jim goes uncaught, the reward increases, from $10,000 in June, to $20,000 in July and $25,000 in August. With a $25,000 guaranteed payout, if Diamond Jim is not caught by midnight Labor Day, the cash will be split equally among those who catch imposters.

Last year was the first time in the contest’s nine-year history that the official Diamond Jim was caught. The lucky angler, Blair Wheeler, 25 of Herndon, Va., walked away with the $25,000 and other great prizes. A novice angler, Wheeler caught the winning striper while fishing aboard a charter boat.

I wouldn't mind getting $500 for catching a striper, or $10,000 or $25,000 for that matter, but I'm not holding my breath.