From the OBX to Ocean City: Two Tournaments, Two Crews, One Epic Week

There’s something about back-to-back tournaments that hits different. Maybe it’s the salt that never fully leaves your hair before you hit the next marina, or the way your duffel bag starts smelling like victory and sunscreen. Either way, I just lived out every lady angler’s dream — fishing two major tournaments, one week apart, in two different states, with two totally different girl crews. And I wouldn’t trade a minute of it.

Alice Kelly — OBX Magic

There’s no tournament quite like Alice Kelly out of the Outer Banks. It’s the energy, the cause, the laughter echoing through Pirate’s Cove — a fleet full of women chasing fish, good memories, and a reason to celebrate what we love most: being on the water.

We had an incredible crew this year, equal parts salty and sassy. The radio chatter, the playlist, the snacks (and maybe a few questionable dance moves) — it all reminded me why this event is such a staple for so many. Alice Kelly isn’t just a tournament; it’s a reunion. A reminder that women belong here, rods in hand, right in the thick of the action.

Poor Girls — Ocean City Dream

Then, before I even unpacked the boat bag, I pointed the truck north to Ocean City, Maryland for the Poor Girls Open — a total bucket list event I’ve dreamed of fishing for years. Different docks, different crew, same fierce female energy.

Poor Girls has this electric mix of fun and focus — everyone’s there to have a good time, but you can feel the competitive spark in the air the second lines go in. Ocean City showed off with perfect weather, blue water, and the kind of memories that make you forget how tired you are.

Finally checking this one off my list felt big — like I’d officially earned my “fished out of OC” badge. The vibe, the docks, the energy — I get it now. This town knows how to do it right.

Same Salt, Different Coordinates

Fishing two states in one week reminded me why I love this life so much. No matter where you are — Morehead City, Manteo, or Ocean City — it’s the same mix of adrenaline, friendship, and saltwater therapy. Different boats, different women, same unshakable bond over the chase.

And maybe that’s the real magic of it all: you can fish anywhere, but it’s the people beside you that make it unforgettable.