Maryland releases tagged rockfish in Bay worth $10,000

Over the summer, hundreds of imposters and one genuine 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 captor, Blair Wheeler, 25 of Herndon, Va., walked away with the $25,000, and other great prizes. A novice angler, Wheeler snagged the winning striper while fishing aboard a charter boat.