An Eastern Shore angler caught a Maryland state record-breaking snakehead this week, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources said in a release.
Damien Cook of Rhodesdale is now the new state recordholder for the Northern Snakehead in the state’s invasion Division, reeling in a 21-pound snakehead on July 5. Cook’s fish surpassed the previous record of 19.9 pounds that was set in 2018.
The fish measured at more than 36 inches long, and was caught by Cook while kayaking in a Dorchester County river. Snakeheads are popular among people sportfishing in Maryland, and Dorchester County’s tidal river system is known as a hotspot for snakeheads,
“Honestly I thought it was just your average 30-inch snakehead when I first hooked the fish,” Cook said in a statement. ”It pulled hard but I had the advantage of it being close and I got it in the net pretty quickly.”
The Department of Natural Resources maintains state records for sport fish in four divisions – Atlantic, Chesapeake, Nontidal and Invasive. Anglers who think they have a potential record catch should download and complete a state record application and call 443-569-1398 to report a potential state record catch. The department recommends the fish be immersed in ice water to preserve its weight until it can be checked, confirmed and certified.
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