A Harford County angler, Thomas Over Jr., has officially tied a long-standing Maryland state record with an impressive Rock Bass catch. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed that Over’s rock bass, weighing in at 1.0 pound, matches the existing record set back in 1997.
Over made the noteworthy catch on January 6 in the lower Susquehanna River while targeting yellow perch. He was using a light spinning rod and jigging technique, employing a tandem perch rig equipped with BPS jig heads and 1.5-inch white/red Southern Pro lil Hustler tubes in deeper waters.
Describing the moment, Over recounted, “I was throwing a tandem perch rig… When I felt the ‘thump’ and started cranking, I thought I had a doubleheader of jumbo yellow perch, but to my surprise, it was a new species of fish that I did not recognize.” Uncertain of his catch, Over sent a photo to fishing enthusiast friends for identification. Paul Badders quickly identified the fish as a rock bass, and a notably large one at that.
The record-tying rock bass measured 10.5 inches in length. The weight was officially verified on a certified scale at Anglers Sport Center in Annapolis. Erik Zlokovitz, the Maryland DNR Recreational Fishing Outreach Coordinator, further confirmed the species identification, solidifying the catch as a state record match. The previous record was held solely by Timothy A. Adams, who also caught a 1.0-pound rock bass in the Susquehanna River on May 4, 1997. Now, Over shares this prestigious record.
Rock bass, scientifically known as Ambloplites rupestris, are members of the sunfish family. They are characterized by their stout bodies, olive-green backs, and golden to brassy flanks. A distinctive feature is the dark spot on each scale along their sides, often creating a striped pattern. For identification purposes, rock bass possess five to seven spines on their anal fin, a key differentiator from the warmouth (Lepomis gulosus), a similar-looking fish that only has three anal fin spines. It’s important to note that rock bass are distinct from striped bass, which are commonly referred to as “rockfish” in some regions.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources diligently maintains state records for various sport fish across four categories: Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive. For anglers believing they’ve caught a potential record-breaking fish, the DNR encourages downloading and completing a state record application. They also advise contacting 443-569-1398 and recommend keeping the fish in ice water to preserve its weight until official verification can be conducted. This recent catch serves as a reminder of the exciting fishing opportunities in Maryland and the potential for anglers to make their mark in the state’s angling history.
