Day 1 at the 2026 Poor Girl's Open - Ocean City MD Fishing

By Scott Lenox

Posted on August 13th, 2026

I just got back from a busy day 1 of scales action for the 2026 Poor Girl’s Open and there was some great fishing by the ladies. There are 184 boats fishing this year’s event with over $245,000 in prize money on the line. If the first place team is across the board in the billfish release division, they could take home over $170,000. It should be an exciting weekend for the all lady angler teams. Scales are open tomorrow and Saturday from 4 – 9 PM. Here’s who’s leading after the first day of fishing.

Captain Jason Mumford of Lucky Break Charters had another great day of inshore fishing for his anglers today with bluefish, flounder, spot, croaker, sheepshead, triggerfish and even a nice black drum.

Captain Kyle Pelino and his crews aboard OC Guide Service have had some serious luck with the flounder lately and even had a legal cobia land in the net.

Captain Will Poole of Local Hooker Fishing Charters had a nice day for his anglers with keeper flounder and plenty of throwbacks to go around.

Luke Wrye had a great day over ocean structure today fishing with live spot. His largest fish went an impressive 27.5″ and 8. pounds, 5 ounces.

Kevn McNelis and his dad Kevin had a limit of flounder over ocean structure today with the largest fish coming in at 22″.

Captain Chris Mizurak of the Angler reported flat calm seas and good fishing for sea bass and flounder on today’s trip.

Captain Monty Hawkins of the Morning Star was all over the mahi on today’s trip to the rip.

Cool & cloudy on departure again. Saw a sliver of sun as it rose, but not another glimpse for a good while.

Phil & Andy did the deed on our reef unit today. Dropped it on a new spot making 184 blocks (all in units) and 3 pyramids. Sea bass were stacked up on it. Amazingly so.

Making new reef habitat is literally as simple as rolling blocks off a boat.

Wasn’t long and mahi baits went in. Another stop & another; then nicked just a few.

Had been watching a band of light rain on ship’s radar. Didn’t seem like much to it. A weak return; drizzle as called for perhaps.

A few miles from us the storm’s radar signature came a dark red..

Man did it rain.

Brought fishing to a halt for a while.

Did it mess up the bite?

Seemed to.

But not like yesterday.

Was fully cleared and sunny before I had mahi coming over the rail again. 80.2 degree water and clear – nice catch.

Sea Bass Bob won the mahi pool and took high hook honors as well.

Works.