Every June, a buzz takes over the Crystal Coast. You can feel it walking down the waterfront in Morehead City—restaurants packed, docks alive with crews rigging lines and polishing outriggers, and tournament flags snapping in the breeze. The source of this electric energy? The legendary Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament.

Watch Leah Grady catch and release her first blue marlin aboard Lady Lauren Sportfishing in rough seas off Morehead City, NC — filmed by East Coast Saltwater Living. Capture moments like this with custom video services.

It’s clear: women are hungry for space on the water, and they’re not waiting for an invitation anymore. They’re making one.