R4R20215212021-48.jpg

Reel in Hope. Land a Cure.

MAY 1, 2027

morehead city, nc

fishing with purpose.

Diagram showing a simple pendulum with a black bob hanging from a fixed point by a string, swinging in a circular arc.

Each May, anglers, sponsors, and volunteers gather in Morehead City for one purpose: to raise funds for childhood cancer research at UNC Children’s Hospital.

Since 2009, Reelin’ for Research has turned a love of fishing into impact, with over $8.3 million raised in support of childhood cancer research.

Join us May 2, 2026, for the 18th Annual Reelin’ for Research tournament, one of the premier charity fishing tournaments on the East Coast, where every cast brings us closer to landing a cure.

How Long ’Til We Reel It In?

OUR IMPACT

$8.3
Million+

Raised to advance treatment and research for childhood cancer

a checkmark icon

TONY MONTANA
FELLOWSHIP FUND
Fully endowed and funded for life

Supports physicians specializing in pediatric cancer research at UNC Children’s Hospital.

an icon of a heart within a circle

REELIN’ FOR RESEARCH CLINIC
Named in 2022

Supports UNC Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic and ongoing clinical trials advancing childhood cancer treatment.

because every child deserves a fighting chance.

Black and white image of a fish with a fishing pole and line.
a photo of a young girl in a superhero costume

Childhood cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death for children in the United States, yet only 4–8% of federal cancer funding is devoted to pediatric cancers.

That is why we fish.

  • 43 children are diagnosed with cancer every day

  • 40,000+ children are in treatment each year

  • Only 7 new cancer drugs have been developed for children in the last 30 years

Together, we are changing that story one tournament, one donation, and one breakthrough at a time.

“Childhood cancer is severely underfunded, but Reelin’ for Research is helping to change that. Thank you to everyone who is part of this effort for your devotion to UNC Children’s Hospital and the children we serve.”

— The Hermann Family

2025 TOURNAMENT WINNERS

2025 BUZZ SKINNER AWARD WINNER
(TOP FUNDRAISING TEAM)
KEN & LEE’S CREW – $110,590

BILLFISH DIVISION

The following is from our 2025 tournament. The 2026 billfish division was rained out.

TEAM POINTS WINNER
Re-Leased | 800pts Blue Marlin

INDIVIDUAL POINTS WINNER
Brooks Marshall | 575pts | Welders Ark

LADY ANGLER
Hailey Hawkins | 400pts | Re-Leased

JUNIOR ANGLER
Brooks Marshall | 575pts | Welders Ark

OFFSHORE DIVISION

TEAM WINNER
Accordingly Fishing for Change on Barbaric | 62.9lb

LARGEST FISH
Ashley Murray | 23lb Tuna | Make it Happen!

LADY ANGLER
Ashley Murray | 23lb Tuna | Make it Happen!

JUNIOR ANGLER
Hollis Ann Fields | 4.7lb Bluefish | Weldor’s Ark

INSHORE DIVISION

TEAM WINNER
Team Tigers on Minor Threat | 26.3lb

LARGEST FISH
Hugh Coffin | 10.8lb Sheepshead | Team Tigers on Minor Threat

LADY ANGLER
Callie Straughan | 5.8lb Bluefish | Emerge Ortho Triad 2

JUNIOR ANGLER
Lennox Varkey| 8.6lb Bluefish | Emerge Ortho Triad 1

smiling group of people on a fishing boat

JOIN US!

A black and white illustration showing the scale of the universe, with labeled distances from Earth to various celestial objects and milestones in cosmic history.

Be part of something bigger than the catch.
Every entry, sponsorship, and donation helps fund the next breakthrough in childhood cancer research.