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Maryland Rod and Reef Awards by Valeri Keefer
Anglers reeled in 31 unique Chesapeake Bay species during the event
Maryland 2024 - Anglers and Chesapeake Bay supporters had much to celebrate on Sunday, September 15, at the 2024 Maryland Rod & Reef Slam fishing tournament’s closing ceremony at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Philip Merrill Center in Annapolis. During the tournament, 32 anglers reeled in more than 120 fish, including 31 different species.
Co-hosted by Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Maryland, and Chesapeake Oyster Alliance (COA), the Maryland Rod & Reef Slam is one of the most unique fishing tournaments in the Chesapeake Bay region. Anglers are challenged to catch the largest diversity of fish species, rather than just the most or largest fish. Participants also must fish around restored oyster sanctuary reefs to demonstrate the immense habitat and biodiversity the reefs support.
“Fish love oyster reefs and anglers do too,” said Allison Colden, CBF’s Maryland Executive Director. “Not only do oysters filter the water, but their reefs make exceptional habitat for hundreds of aquatic species. A win-win for our slam champions, and the Bay.”
The most frequently caught fish during the tournament were spot and Atlantic croaker. Some of the most unusual catches included pufferfish, cutlassfish, kingfish, spotted sea trout, and pigfish.
The tournament ran from September 7 through September 15. The winners of each division include:
- Grand prize: Herb Floyd, of Trappe, who caught a total of 15 species.
- Powerboat: First place went to Chris Morgan with 11 species, second place to Chris Derr with eight species, and third place to James Traxel with five species.
- Kayak: Ronnie Kirin and Jeff Luoma tied with six species each. After a tie breaker determined by fish length, Ronnie took home first place.
- Youth: First place went to David Rogers with nine species, second place to Parker Barniea with seven species, and third place to Parker Corson with six species.
- Invasive species: Parker Corson of the youth division took first place with an impressive snakehead.
Winners were announced at an award ceremony and after party held at CBF’s Philip Merrill Center in Annapolis. The champions chose from a selection of prizes including a Turtle Box speaker, Toadfish gear, an Engel UltraLite cooler, and more.
“This year’s event proves how habitat today equals fish tomorrow,” said Dave Sikorski, CCA Maryland Executive Director. “The diversity of life on restored oyster reefs directly support the success of our fisheries now and into the future, and that’s all the reason we need to continue to build habitat and partnerships throughout the region.”
The Maryland Rod & Reef Slam helps further CBF, CCA, and COA’s missions by supporting oyster sanctuary reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. Oyster reefs filter water quality and provide habitat for dozens of species such as striped bass and blue crab. COA and its partnership of nonprofits, oyster farmers, and academic institutions are committed to adding 10 billion oysters to the Bay by 2025.
