Ladies · 32nd Annual (some listings say 33rd)

Capt. Steve Harman's Poor Girl's Open

All-women’s billfish release tournament at Bahia Marina benefiting breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society—250+ boats, ~1,000 anglers, $2M+ donated, plus optional tuna/dolphin levels.

August 13–15, 2026 (weigh-ins ~4–9 p.m. daily at Bahia) Spectator-friendly (verify)

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Confirm entry fees, lines-out times, and public weigh-in access with organizers before you travel. Status uses US Eastern calendar dates.

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About this tournament

Capt. Steve Harman’s Poor Girl’s Open is Bahia Marina’s signature mid-August ladies billfish weekend (August 13–15, 2026). Ocean City Fishing Center calendars call it the 32nd annual; some outlets say 33rd year—trust Bahia’s live entry packet for edition wording and fees.

Capt. Steve Harman founded the tournament so local waitresses and bartenders could take one day off for an affordable, fun offshore competition while raising money for breast cancer research. Organizer Shawn Harman (who continues the event after Capt. Steve’s passing) has explained the name that way: ladies fish one day—“hence Poor Girls.” What began as an industry day-off has grown into one of Ocean City’s largest women’s billfish fields.

Bahia’s page reports fields over 250 boats and close to 1,000 anglers, with more than $2 million donated to breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society. Participation is not limited to anglers: raffles, online silent auctions, 50/50 tickets, official merch, and other pink-weekend programming feed the charity total.

Competition is ladies-only billfish release, with published added entry levels for tuna and dolphin (and often wahoo on regional writeups). Leaderboards track billfish release points, cancer-survivor points, overall/junior anglers, and heaviest dolphin/wahoo/tuna—confirm 2026 categories before you ice a meat fish. Daily weigh-in / dockside energy commonly runs about 4:00–9:00 p.m. at Bahia; the signature Pink Party captains meeting is part of the social calendar.

The weekend sits between White Marlin Open and MidAtlantic—marina calendars stay hot through mid-August. Bahia’s midtown bayside campus (2107 Herring Way) also hosts the June DU Derby and September Flounder Pounder, so crews who know Fish Tales already know the parking pattern.

Official page: bahiamarina.com/tournaments/poor-girls-open. Cross-links: White Marlin Open, MidAtlantic, marinas.

At a glance

  • Host: Bahia Marina
  • Venue: Bahia Marina
  • Address: 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City MD 21842
  • Format: Ladies-only billfish release with optional tuna/dolphin levels; Pink Party captains meeting; daily Bahia dockside programming ~4–9 p.m.; charity focus ACS breast cancer research.
  • Target species: White marlin (release), Blue marlin (release), Tuna (added levels — verify), Dolphin / mahi (added levels — verify), Wahoo (verify)
  • Phone: 410-289-7473

For spectators

  • Bahia’s evening dockside program (vendors, raffles, scales/reporting energy) is commonly public-facing—confirm 2026 guest rules.
  • Expect midtown Herring Way parking pressure and pink-themed crowds after 4:00 p.m.
  • Silent auctions and merch tables are part of the charity draw even if you are not fishing.

For anglers & crews

  • Confirm angler eligibility (ladies-only), release evidence rules, and whether mates/captains of any gender may crew.
  • Budget base entry plus optional tuna/dolphin Calcuttas separately.
  • Edition numbers disagree across calendars (32nd vs 33rd)—the Bahia packet controls fees and official naming.

Planning tips

  • Pad marina and Route 50 minutes—tournament weeks compress West Ocean City and inlet corridors.
  • Book lodging early; billfish and tuna weeks stack with summer beach demand.
  • Confirm weigh-in windows and public viewing rules with the host marina before you promise kids a “scale night.”
  • Plan dinner around the 4–9 p.m. Bahia window if you want to watch dockside energy.
  • Pack pink attire if you are attending the Pink Party captains meeting as an entered team.

Map (approximate)

Open larger map (OpenStreetMap) — Approximate location; confirm exact gate or venue with organizers.

Tickets, registration & official links

Related fishing tournaments

  • White Marlin Open — Aug 1–2 registration · Aug 3–8 fishing (any 3 of 6 days) · Aug 9 polygraph TBA & awards 4 p.m. Marlin Club
  • MidAtlantic Tournament — Aug 16 registration · Aug 17–21 fishing (any 3 of 5 days) · dual port Cape May + Ocean City
  • DU Derby (Blues for DU) — June 5–7, 2026 (captain’s meeting June 5; verify banquet date)
  • Flounder Pounder — September 13, 2026 (one-day; verify weigh hours with Bahia)

FAQs

Does OCEANCITY.MD sell entries for the Poor Girl's Open?
No—register only through the official tournament or host marina channels linked on this page. We publish planning context, not entry desks.
Will this tournament affect my recreational charter day?
Often yes near host docks—weigh-in crowds, trailer traffic, and reserved slips can slow staging. Ask your captain, and keep a non-tournament backup window. See charter trip picker and marinas.
Why do listings disagree on the edition number?
OC Fishing Center calendars call 2026 the 32nd annual; some outlets say 33rd. Use Bahia Marina’s current entry materials for official wording.
Is it only for industry workers?
It began that way, but Bahia now describes a large open ladies field (250+ boats). Confirm 2026 eligibility in the official packet.
Where does the charity money go?
Organizers state donations support breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society, with more than $2 million donated to date.

Sources

OCEANCITY.MD does not operate these tournaments. Always verify rules, fees, and public access with organizers.

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