Pocomoke City, Md. -- Justin Kelly, 20, of Westover, Maryland, was fishing on the Pocomoke River near Pocomoke City July 31 when he landed a state record catch. Kelly reeled in a 17-pound, 49-inch longnose gar using a metal leader with a live bluegill for bait.
"When the fish got close, I thought we were going to need a bigger net," Kelly said.
Realizing the its large size, Kelly took his catch to the nearest Maryland Fishing Challenge award center. The center measured and weighed the fish, then checked the Maryland Fishing Guide to find that it exceeded the 36-inch minimum angler award size and broke the previous state record of 16 pounds for longnose gar. Keith Lockwood, a biologist with the Maryland DNR, examined the fish and certified the catch.
The longnose gar's ancestry dates back to among the most primitive of species. This brackish water fish features a long, cylindrical body with tough scales and rows of large, sharp teeth. Its bony mouth makes it difficult to catch.
Kelly is now one of Maryland's more than 90 fishing record holders. He will also join Maryland's other angler award winners on September 10 at the Maryland Fishing Challenge Grand Finale event during the 44th annual Maryland Seafood Festival at Sandy Point State Park.
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