Sorry gentlemen, this fishing tournament is for lady anglers only and it promises plenty of fun with some serious fishing!

Gear up and get ready for the 29^th Annual Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament at Pirate Cove Marina Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11-12.

Money raised in this big time off shore fishing event goes to the Outer Banks Cancer Support Group to help Dare and Currituck county residents, according to Tournament Director Heather Maxwell.

“We raised fifty thousand, fifty dollars last year,” she said Sunday. “It helps pay bills, mortgages and transportation to cancer treatments.”

According to the tournament website, 29 years ago a group of Alice Kelly’s friends came together to honor her memory and financially assist the Outer Banks Cancer Support Group.

Today, the Alice Kelly is one of the most popular and largest lady angler events on the East Coast, Maxwell added. They’re expecting 100 boats and crews.

A non-kill billfish tournament, winners are determined by time only. So during Sunday’s fishing day, the first boat and crew to catch and release the most billfish wins.

There’s also a weigh in for tuna and wahoo for prizes. As for dolphin, there’s a jackpot option and last year it paid 20K and “that’s pretty cool,” Maxwell said.

Everything gets underway Saturday with registration and a Cookout for a Cure. Sunday starts early with off shore fishing all day and then dinner, dancing and awards. Tickets may be purchased for either event, Maxwell said.

Visitors to the Outer Banks this week should consider going ocean pier fishing. This is a great way to get a line wet and not break the bank.

Here’s the piers from north to south: Kitty Hawk, Avalon, Nags Head, Jennette’s and Outer Banks. On Hatteras Island, there’s Rodanthe and Avon.

All of these piers have blanket licenses so you don’t have to buy a permit for fishing, just go have fun!