The North Carolina VIP Fishing T

VIP participants arrive on the Outer Banks on a Monday, are housed in local motels, have six meals, go fishing on two head boats and four ocean fishing piers for a day of recreation; they participate in seminars and independent living training, and visit with vendors. The closing awards banquet on Wednesday night offers motivation and awards. More than 250 Lions and volunteers follow the same schedule as they assist the VIPs throughout the three-day annual event. The project has grown from a local tournament serving 12 blind children to the 525 participants of today.

Only fish caught on the participant's line and hauled in by the participant during the established time limit can be counted toward participant's total weight in the fishing contest. Volunteers are only permitted to bait hooks and cast the line into the ocean.