The Diamond Jim component of the 2013 Maryland Fishing Challenge entered its second phase when Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists and teams of young anglers caught, tagged and released around 200 striped bass into the Chesapeake Bay. One of the tagged fish is the official Diamond Jim worth $20,000 to the angler who catches him between July 1 and midnight July 31. The other tagged “imposter” rockfish are worth at least $500 each if caught and registered before midnight on September 2, 2013.
Over the summer, hundreds of imposters and one genuine Diamond Jim will be pursued by anglers. Each month Diamond Jim goes uncaught the bounty increases – from $10,000 in June, to $20,000 in July, and $25,000 in August. The contest features a guaranteed $25,000 payout, so if Diamond Jim is not caught by midnight Labor Day, the cash prize will be split equally among those who catch imposters.
The first angler to catch Diamond Jim will also receive a set of one-carat diamond stud earrings from Zachary’s Jewelers in Annapolis, and a stack of $1,000 gift cards from participating Maryland tackle shops such as Anglers, AllTackle, Fishbones, Clyde’s, Marty’s, and Herb’s Tackle Shop.
These prizes bring the total potential value of Diamond Jim to more than $35,000. Zachary’s is also providing five- to six-carat blue topaz charms for anglers who catch imposter fish.
Combined with the prizes for the Angler Award component of the contest, this brings the total potential prize value of the year-long contest to more than $50,000.
The Maryland Fishing Challenge is a free year-round tournament sponsored by DNR.
source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
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