OCEAN CITY- Despite a protest that has left the billfish release division final standings still in question, the 23rd Annual Poor Girls Open last weekend was once again a huge success with a record number of boats and anglers participating, and most importantly a big contribution to the American Cancer Society.
Sandwiched between the high dollar, high profile White Marlin Open and the Mid-Atlantic Tournament, the annual Poor Girls Open gives the resort area’s lady anglers a chance to shine in the spotlight with thousands in prize money on the line and thousands more dedicated to the worthy cause. The Poor Girls Open, which typically falls on the weekend after the White Marlin Open, was founded in 1994 by the late Captain Steve Harman and his Pam to provide a ladies-only fishing event donated to a local charity.
This year, a record 160 boats participated, including 756 lady anglers. In recent years, the American Cancer Society has been the recipient of choice in conjunction with other “pink ribbon” events held in and around the resort area all year long. At the awards ceremony last week, host Bahia Marina, presented a check for $100,000 to the ACS at the tournament’s award ceremony. In addition to the fishing, the event includes silent auctions, 50-50 raffles, T-shirt sales and other events all hosted at Bahia Marina.
While the fundraising and camaraderie generally takes center stage, the tournament is all about fishing and the dozens of boats and hundreds of competitors take it very seriously. This year produced big numbers in billfish releases although the final winners had not yet been determined as of mid-week. A protest, the nature of which has not been made public, was filed, calling into question the final standings in the billfish release division and no final determination has been made.
Nonetheless, the various other categories produced big results and thousands in prize money was awarded. For example, angler Heather Warren on the “Maverick” took first place in the dolphin division with a 38-pounder worth $11,952. Angler Danielle Doetsch on the “Rhonda’s Osprey” took second in the dolphin division and was awarded $6,277, while angler Liz Newell on the “M.R. Ducks” took third in the division and was awarded $4,185.
In the tuna division, it was angler Karen Peet on the “No Quarter” taking first place with a 200-pounder worth $10,477. Jessica McKeldin on the “No Limits” took second with a 191-pounder worth $5,386, while Marsha Hora, also on the “No Limits,” took third and earned $3,591.
In the wahoo division, angler Shelby Shea on the “Voodoo Child” took first place with a 57-pounder worth $1,500. Angler Abby Conway on the “Bubblehead” took second with a 50-pounder, but earned $14,580 in prize money because of added entry levels. Mariah Amos on the “Fishin’ Permission” took third in the wahoo division. The Top Junior Angler Award went to Marissa Danner with a 21-pound dolphin.
