The Alice Kelly Memorial is a charity angling contest to raise funds for the Outer Banks Cancer Support Group. The organization, formed in 1989 by Alice Kelly, is a volunteer group committed to assisting cancer patients by providing transportation to care and treatment facilities.
Alice Kelly, an avid Outer Banks angler, founded the group when she was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma and was unable to find local treatment. After she lost her battle with cancer, her friends started the tournament in 1989 to continue to raise money for the charity. Last year’s contest saw 154 boats and 900-plus registered anglers trolling lines for a good cause.
This year’s tournament takes place on August 13 out of Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo, North Carolina. Registration opens the day before, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Pirate’s Cove Pavilion.
Contestants will start fishing at 8:30 a.m., and must report each release on their scorecard. One-hundred points are awarded for every white marlin, sailfish, swordfish and spearfish. Blue marlins receive 150 points per release. Those who enter into the Top Dolphin or Top Billfish Jackpot will have their largest catch weighed for scoring.
While this year’s jackpot prize has not been released, the prize money from 2022 was about $102,000.
“It’s time for a blue marlin,” said tournament director Heather Maxwell, “I’m just looking forward to some good fishing, all the families and camaraderie.”
See the full list of rules and regulations here.
