Sparrows Point resident earns Master Angler Award

Local resident Rashan Hunt has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program, DNR officials announced March 5.

The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch 10 different species of fish in Maryland at trophy-size length. Hunt is the sixth Master Angler since the program began, and achieved the award with a tenth confirmed catch, a 24-inch chain pickerel caught Feb. 26 at Loch Raven Reservoir.

“The chain pickerel for some reason has been one of the hardest fish for me,” Hunt said.

“I spent countless miles and hours on kayak and fished from the shore at multiple locations throughout Maryland waterways. I caught lots of fish that didn’t make the cut, but on five casts (at Loch Raven on Feb. 26) I caught my tenth official fish for the award.”

The FishMaryland Program covers dozens of species from both salt and freshwater. All 10 catches that earned Hunt the Master Angler award are listed below and on individual certificates sent to the angler before DNR presents the Master Angler award certificate and the gift card prize from Bass Pro Shops in Arundel Mills.

Hunt is the third Master Angler to be confirmed by DNR within the past year.

His qualifying catches were:

Northern snakehead, 34.5 inchesBlue catfish, 50.5 inchesLargemouth bass, 21.5 inchesCommon carp, 32.5 inchesChannel catfish, 30.5 inchesStriped bass, 45 inchesYellow perch, 14 inchesHickory shad, 18 inchesCrappie, 15 inchesChain pickerel, 24 inches

Hunt is originally from East Orange, N.J. and moved to Maryland in 2011. He retired from 23 years of military service in 2021 and currently works for the Department of the Army. He is a member of the Legion of Anglers, a group that holds catch-and-release tournaments and organizes trash cleanups.

“I have fished all over the world catching various species,” he said. “Fishing is my therapy and is good for mental health and well-being.”

FishMaryland is Maryland’s recreational fishing award program and is a fun way to explore year-round recreational fishing and enjoy affordable, accessible, diverse, and high-quality fishing opportunities.