The Maryland state record for the largest common dolphinfish was just broken again in Ocean City!
Anyone who has ever fished knows that patience is a virtue. Many times you'll be sitting out on the water for hours without even feeling a nibble. Other times, the saying "good things come to those who wait" rings truer than ever. Last week, on August 16, Kristy Frashure caught a 74.5-lb. mahi-mahi in Ocean City's Poor Girls Fishing Tournament.
Frashure broke the previous Maryland state record for the largest common dolphinfish, which was made only three weeks ago! Jeff Wright's catch was 72.8 lbs., which was the largest catch since 1985. Both Frashure and Wright caught their record-breaking fish in Poor Man's Canyon, near Ocean City.
“It took nearly 20-30 minutes to reel in … it felt like an eternity,” Frashure told the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. She was fishing with five of her friends, and while she knew she had caught a large fish, she had no idea it would be a record-breaker. "We were taking bets on how much it weighed," she told the Department.
The official name of the common dolphinfish is Coryphaena hippurus, but most people know it by the name mahi-mahi. While it's considered a popular (and tasty!) fish to eat, apparently it's also a popular fish to catch (at least in Ocean City).
This record-breaking catch won the Atlantic division, one of four divisions that the Department maintains state records in, according to WUSA9. The other sport fish divisions include Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive. Anglers who achieve outstanding catches receive plaques (and bragging rights).
If you're a fellow fisherman who believes you have a potential record-breaking catch, you can download and fill out a state record application. Or, you can call 443-569-1381 or 410-260-8325. In the meantime, "the department suggests fish be immersed in ice water to preserve weight until it can be checked, confirmed, and certified."
As a reminder, fish that are caught from privately-owned waters that charge fees are not eligible.
Do you fish? If so, what was your biggest catch? Let us know in the comments!
