Nationwide — The Ebony Anglers, an all-Black female fishing team from Morehead, North Carolina, have recently made history after winning in the King Mackerel division of the Spanish Mackerel & Dolphin Tournament. This is the first major tournament that they’ve ever competed in.
Gia Peebles, a salon owner and entrepreneur, first thought of the idea of forming the group after she and her husband watched the annual Big Rock Fishing Tournament last June.
“When I saw women of all ages coming from their fishing boats with fish and winning prizes, I noticed that there were no women of color competing,” Peebles told Spectacular Magazine. “I said to myself, ‘We can do this. I already know accomplished women who are leaders and know how to win in other aspects of their lives. We can do this.'”
She then reached out to the women who are also entrepreneurs including festival owner and educator Lesleigh Mausi, nail tech entrepreneur Glenda Turner, digital marketing specialist & editorial model Bobbiette Palmer, and Gourmet Catering Company owner Tiana Davis.
As a competitive women’s fishing team, they reeled in a 48 lb. King Mackerel in their first competition, earning them the coveted citation from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Now, they are preparing to compete in qualifying events until 2021 and hopefully join the Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament in June 2021.