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 20th annual event, and it takes place on Saturday, November 7. 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 $7.7 million (last year alone the event raised a record-breaking $1.2 million). 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. The ripple effect of the Cancer Survivorship Program impacts more than 2000 of our friends, loved ones, and neighbors experiencing the unique challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
Fishing Tournament:
Team FishTalk/PropTalk is a proud sponsor of this event and will once again participate in the fishing tournament.
The entry fee costs $600 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 Saturday, November 7 at 12 a.m. through 3 p.m. This is a catch-and-release tournament, and all categories will be assessed by length. All fish must be measured with an official 2026 F4AC measuring stick using the Fishing Chaos application. The official indicator must be visible in the photo submitted by the fishing team; the indicator will be emailed to each boat on Friday evening, Nov. 6th.
Categories include:
- Striped Bass (Rockfish) Stringer: aggregate total of three longest fish (catch and release only.
- Grand Slam: Longest stringer of three unique bay sport fish species (including Rockfish) such as, but not limited to: Perch, Bluefish, Catfish, 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: aggregate total of five longest fish
It is the responsibility of the angler to download the Fishing Chaos application and submit their fish entries virtually. All fish must be legal according to MD DNR rules and laws.
Fundraising:
The goal of the tournament is to raise money for the cancer survivorship program, and all entries are expected to raise at least $1500.
To help reach our fundraising goal we will host another online fundraising auction (which will go live shortly; stay tuned). You may also make a donation directly to our team at the link below.
Make a donation to Team FishTalk/PropTalk!
Shore Party:
The Shore Party takes place the evening of the tournament, November 7, from 5 to 9:30 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 cause. 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.