2025 Poor Girls Open taking over the Bahia Marina

OCEAN CITY, Md. – The Poor Girls Open tournament is returning for its 31st year, benefiting breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society. The ladies-only billfish tournament began Thursday at Bahia Marina.

What started as a way for industry professionals to take a day off and fish has grown into an event that draws more than 1,000 anglers and 175 boats. The money raised goes directly to breast cancer research, with the tournament donating more than $2 million to date.

“The ladies can only fish one day, hence the name Poor Girls,” said organizer Shawn Harman, who took over the tournament after his brother, Capt. Steve Harman’s passing. “It started as a tournament for industry people like bartenders and waitresses, whose boyfriends are often mates or captains. They could take one day off and go fishing—that’s how it began.”

Weigh-ins take place daily from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bahia Marina. For more information, visit the tournament’s website.