The Poor Boy Open Fishing Tournament is an exciting annual event held in Dorchester. It's a fishing competition where anglers of all experience levels come together to test their skills and camaraderie. Participants use kids' Barbie rods to reel in their catches, adding a fun twist to the traditional fishing experience. Beyond the thrill of the competition, the tournament serves a greater purpose—it supports the Young Life Camp Scholarship Fund, providing local kids with the opportunity to attend out-of-state camps and create life-changing memories. So, whether you're an avid angler or just looking for a good time for a great cause, the Poor Boy Open Fishing Tournament is the place to be!

To participate in the Poor Boy Open Fishing Tournament, you must complete your registration online by clicking the button found below. Once registered, be on the lookout for packet pick-up day, where you'll receive your event t-shirt and Barbie rod!

On the day of the event, fishing begins bright and early at 6:00 AM. You're free to fish anywhere in the Choptank River, whether on land or by boat. Fish check-in starts at noon at Portside Seafood Restaurant, located at 201 Trenton Street in Cambridge.

When you catch a fish, remember that it's the length that matters, not the weight! The leaderboard for each fish category will be continuously updated until the end of fish check-in at 3:00 PM.

Once the fishing wraps up, stay for the after-party hosted by Portside! Enjoy a buffet-style meal and await the announcement of the winners. Winners in each category will receive a plaque and a cash prize!

1. Participants MUST use the Barbie rod provided for the duration of the tournament. Embrace the challenge and fish like a pro with a touch of whimsy!
2. All fish entered into the tournament must be caught in the Choptank River. This ensures a fair playing field for all anglers.
3. To be eligible for the tournament, all fish must be checked-in by 3:00 PM sharp. Don't let your big catch slip away without getting it on the leaderboard!
4. You're free to fish from a boat, on land, or even from a bridge—whatever floats your fishing boat!
5. Remember, it's the length of the fish that counts, not the weight! So, stretch out those tape measures and aim for a big one!

And lastly, a friendly reminder: While we won't be administering any White Marlin Lie Detector tests (just kidding!), cheating is definitely not cool. Let's keep the competition fair and fun for everyone!

At the Poor Boy Open Fishing Tournament, we recognize and celebrate a variety of fish species! Here are the categories for potential winners:

1. Rockfish: Whether you're reeling in a striped bass or a beautiful blue rockfish, show off your best catch in this category!
2. Perch: From white perch to yellow perch, any member of the perch family is eligible to win in this category.
3. Snakehead/Chesapeake Channa: Test your skills against the invasive but delicious snakehead or Chesapeake Channa. These fierce fighters are worthy contenders for the top prize!
4. Spot: Show off your angling prowess with the humble but tasty spot fish. Catch a keeper and see if it's enough to win this category!
5. Catfish: Whether you're after a channel catfish or a monster blue catfish, reel in your biggest catch and compete for the title in this category.

At the Poor Boy Open Fishing Tournament, we're excited to offer cash prizes for our winners! Here's how it works:

We'll set aside 50% of the proceeds from the tournament, which will be split between the category winners. Additionally, we'll have a Calcutta competition, and 50% of those proceeds will also be distributed among the Calcutta winners.

The remaining proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit our camp scholarship fund, supporting local kids in attending out-of-state camps and creating unforgettable memories.

Yes, all participants are required to have a valid fishing license in order to participate in the Poor Boy Open Fishing Tournament. It's essential to ensure compliance with local fishing regulations and to promote responsible angling practices. So, before you cast your line, make sure you have your fishing license up to date and ready to go!