{"id":45316,"date":"2025-08-15T11:24:37","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T15:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=45316"},"modified":"2025-08-15T12:56:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T16:56:57","slug":"three-marylanders-earn-master-angler-recognition-in-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2025\/08\/15\/three-marylanders-earn-master-angler-recognition-in-july\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Marylanders Earn Master Angler Recognition in July"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FishMaryland<\/a>The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Andrew Reier of Glen Arm, Ryan Kaler of Pasadena, and Jake Prior of Perry Hall for catching 10 different species of trophy-size fish to reach the FishMaryland Master Angler<\/a> milestone. These three anglers bring the total number of Master Anglers in the program, now in its sixth year, to 23.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FishMaryland is Maryland\u2019s recreational fishing award program promoting year-round recreational fishing and affordable, accessible, diverse, and high-quality fishing opportunities. More information on the Master Angler Milestone Award and the FishMaryland program is available on the <\/span>program\u2019s website.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Andrew Reier<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Man<\/a>

Master Angler Andrew Reier<\/p><\/div>\n

Reier considers the Gunpowder and Susquehanna rivers among his favorite local fishing holes, but his preferred method of fishing this time of year is trolling offshore for tuna. He cites the number of unique species that can be caught as well as the \u201cpandemonium of the bite\u201d as reasons why trolling is his favorite way to fish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019s most proud of his blue marlin, his first fish caught on a bait he personally rigged, pitched, hooked, and fought from start to finish. It was a full-circle moment for him, learning that he was more than capable of offshore fishing for big-game species.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reier got his start in fishing from his dad, who passed the bug down to him. They can often be found fishing together on their 36-foot\u00a0 Invincible center-console, which is kept in Ocean City during the summer months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite part of fishing is the community,\u201d said Reier. \u201cTwo years ago, I started my own business building and selling tuna trolling lures, and it takes me all over the place. I meet all these people I never would have met before, and it\u2019s been really awesome to be involved with the community.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The FishMaryland program was introduced to him by a fellow fishing friend, Ryan Kaler (see below), and the two began a friendly competition to see who could achieve Master Angler status first. Reier edged out his friend by six days, though both have now earned the award.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reier\u2019s qualifying catches, in order, were:<\/span><\/p>\n