Reel in Hope. Land a Cure.
MAY 1, 2027
morehead city, nc
fishing with purpose.
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.
OUR IMPACT
$8.3
Million+
Raised to advance treatment and research for childhood cancer
TONY MONTANA
FELLOWSHIP FUND
Fully endowed and funded for life
Supports physicians specializing in pediatric cancer research at UNC Children’s Hospital.
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.
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
JOIN US!
Be part of something bigger than the catch.
Every entry, sponsorship, and donation helps fund the next breakthrough in childhood cancer research.
