Anglers Have 1 Week to Snag July's 'Diamond Jim'

Anglers hoping to hit the jackpot have less than one week to cash in on the Maryland Fishing Challenge's July session—a contest that could earn a fisherman $20,000.

Hosted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), biologists caught, tagged and released more than 100 striped bass into the Chesapeake Bay on June 28. Three of those fish were designated to be known as "Diamond Jims," specific fish that could earn an angler thousands of dollars.

Since then, fishermen have caught various fish with tags in hopes that their number is the lucky one, earning them the substantial Maryland Fishing Challenge award.

“Over the summer, as many as 600 imposters worth at least $500 each and one genuine ‘Diamond Jim’ will be pursued by anglers. Each month ‘Diamond Jim’ goes uncaught, the bounty increases from $10,000 in June to $20,000 in July and $25,000 in August,” according to a DNR release.

A different registration number is applied to each “Diamond Jim,” one for June, July and then August. The deadline for the July session ends Tuesday.

If an angler catches the August “Diamond Jim,” they will get a set of one-carat diamond stud earrings from Zachary’s Jewelers in addition to winning $25,000.

Anglers must catch and register their fish after reeling them in order to find out if they’ve caught one of the three “Diamond Jims.” If after the three-month period no “Jim” is caught, the total $25,000 payout is then split equally among the fishermen of the competition, according to the release.

Have you been looking for one of the three “Diamond Jim?”