It’s hard to believe but summer is in fact coming to a close. As hard as that is to stomach, fall has its own set of charms, namely cooler weather, oyster festivals (hello ‘R’ months), and of course, our favorite charity fishing tournament: Fish For a Cure (F4AC).
This year is the 19th annual event, and it takes place on Saturday, November 1. And as we’ve said many times in the past, this is way more than just a fishing tournament. All funds raised through F4AC directly benefit the Cancer Survivorship Program at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute.
To date, the tournament, Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge, and Shore Party have raised more than $6.5 million over the last 18 years. LHAAMC programs that are donor funded provide social, emotional, fiscal, and psychological support for patients and families as they navigate treatment and recovery from illness. Patients and their families gain access to critically needed psychosocial services, including nurse navigation, nutrition counseling, psychosocial well-being, and oncology rehabilitation services.
Team FishTalk/PropTalk is a proud sponsor of this event and will once again participate in the fishing tournament.
The entry fee costs $500 per boat (which includes the captain and up to three additional anglers; $175 per each additional angler after that). A four-person kayak team may register as one boat. Kayak teams will be afforded the same privileges and be required to abide by the same rules as any individual registered boat.
Fishing is open to the entire Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and fishing runs from 6 a.m. November1 through check-in time of 4 p.m. This is a catch-and-release tournament, and all categories will be assessed by length on the iAngler app. Categories include:
- Rockfish (three longest fish may be eligible for prizes)
- Grand Slam: Longest stringer of three unique bay sport fish species (including Rockfish) such as, but not limited to: Perch, Bluefish, Catfish, Toadfish, Pickerel, Red Drum, Black Drum, Cobia, Tautog, Speckled Trout, Croaker, Flounder and Spadefish. Non-sport fish bay species, such as Menhaden, Spot, Clam, Eel, Crab, etc. are NOT eligible. Tournament officials reserve the right to disqualify any fish that they deem is not a true bay sport fish.
- Perch: Longest stringer of five fish
- Invasive species (longest stringer of three invasive catfish and/or snakehead with no limit on the number of invasive species entered)
To help reach our fundraising goal we are hosting an online fundraiser auction. Thanks to our sponsors, we have some awesome items up for grabs including fishing trips with the Angler in Chief, artwork, Chesapeake experiences (including a fossil hunting trip and an oyster party), boat show tickets, fishing gear, and more. We also have a new system for the auction this year: visit f4ac.givesmart.com to view items and place your bid. You will need to create a free GiveSmart account in order to participate. And don't delay! Because the online auction ends September 30.
But even if you miss out on our online auction, you may still make a donation to our team on the Fish For a Cure website. Simply Simply visit the Donation page, click to the Open League, and type ‘PropTalk’ in the donation box. You can also visit our team page here.
The Shore Party takes place the evening of the tournament from 5 to 9 p.m. at Safe Harbor Annapolis, and you do not need to be registered for the tournament in order to attend. Tickets cost $175 and support the same great cuase. There will be food and beverages served from multiple bars, a dance floor, and more. Plus, the winners of the tournament and Paul C. Dettor Captain’s Challenge will be announced at the party.
To register for the tournament, donate to a team, or purchase Shore Party tickets visit fishforacure.org.