ANNAPOLIS, MD — An Anne Arundel County angler not only took home a 301-pound swordfish at an Ocean City fishing tournament, but he also broke a state record with his big catch.
Annapolis resident Peter Schultz is the first swordfish record holder for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Atlantic division. The 36-year-old caught a 301-pound swordfish at the Big Fish Classic tournament on July 23.
Schultz and his team pulled off the record-breaking catch with a dead eel on a circle hook, 50-foot reel with 65-pound braid line and a 25-foot, 150-pound leader.
After an eight-hour fight, Schultz caught what he described a “fish of a lifetime.”
Schultz said, “We put so much effort into this. Everyone had a crucial role.”
The swordfish’s 301 pounds were certified by Dave Hedges of M.R. Ducks Talbot Street Pier. The historic catch was later confirmed by a Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologist.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources divides the state records for…