Bigger than a Can: NEW Maryland State Record Albacore
Eugene L. 09.27.22
There is a new Maryland State Record for Albacore Tuna, Thomas “Tad” Bodmer of Poolesville has been recognized by the Maryland Department of Resources as the new record holder in the Atlantic Division for Albacore, also known as long-fin tuna, (Thunnus alalunga). This was for his recent 77-pound Albacore catch. Bodmer is a recent convert to saltwater fishing, went out on the charter boat “Top Dog” on September 20th. Tad was fishing with Captain Ryan Knapp and First Mate Josh, and the trio was having a slow day on the water. While they were preparing to head back to shore, things did a 180 quick. Three of their trolling rods went down out at the same time, the trio scrambled to pick up the rods and start fighting the fish.
“It was chaos,” Bodmer said. “I would get my fish close and then it would run back out. It took 25 minutes to get it.”
Bodmer’s record albacore hit a naked ballyhoo on the troll. The crew knew just from the fight that they had a big albacore but did not expect it to be a record-breaking catch until the fish was officially weighed.
“All these people came out of the woodwork with cameras,” Bodner said. “I was like a deer in headlights.”
The albacore was officially weighed and certified by Sunset Marina in Ocean City. A Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologist was there to confirm the catch. The previous record Albacore was set in 2004 by Victor W. Gardner.
The department maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal, and Invasive – and awards plaques to anglers who achieve record catches. Fish caught from privately-owned, fee-fishing waters are ineligible for consideration.
Anglers who think they have a potential record catch should download and fill out the state record application and call 443-569-1381 or 410-260-8325. The department recommends the fish be immersed in ice water to preserve its weight until it can be checked, confirmed, and certified.
