North Carolina angler breaks 30-Year-Old Maryland false albacore record

MARYLAND — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced Friday that a North Carolina angler has set a new state record by catching the largest false albacore in 30 years.

Timothy K. Shaarda, 47, of Clayton, landed the 23.5‑pound false albacore on July 12 aboard the charter boat Hawgfin, captained by Kurt Howell, while fishing off the coast of Ocean City between the Washington and Norfolk canyons. The fish was initially mistaken for a yellowfin tuna but was later identified — and weighed on a certified scale at the Ocean City Fishing Center — confirming it surpassed the previous record by one pound.

Howell, who encouraged Shaarda to certify the fish, noted that it’s the biggest false albacore he has ever seen. He was also aboard when the previous record of 22.5 pounds was set by Kevin Sheckells on June 25, 1995. Sheckells reportedly called Shaarda to congratulate him on the new record.

False albacore — also known as little tunny — typically range from Massachusetts to Brazil and rarely exceed 20 pounds. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources tracks state record sport fish across four divisions: Atlantic, Chesapeake, nontidal, and invasive. Anglers who suspect a record-setting catch are advised to preserve the fish in ice water, document the catch, and submit a formal application to the department.