Captain Lee Willis, founder of the Redfish Action Challenge Cups, has been involved in recreational fishing and commercial fishing for over 30 years. Captain Lee was raised on the waters of Core and Pamlico Sounds operating boats and fishing every slough, creek, bay, and inlet from the historic village of Portsmouth Island to the scenic Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Captain Lee comes from a long line of commercial fishermen, who proudly operated fishing boats and supported their families upon the waters of eastern North Carolina.

Lee Willis competes with partner "Rev" Jim Tosto on the IFA Redfish Tour. The two are Pro-Staff for Deep Creek Lures, Yamaha, Parker Poats, Lowrance, Flatsmaster Spoons, and Captain Gary's Marine Care Products.

A former Game Warden with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Captain Willis, achieved the stateâ s and nationâ s highest accolades, earning the Governorâ s Award for Heroism and Bravery and he was selected by the National Association of Police Organization as one of the countryâ s â Top Copsâ (honored in Washington DC in 1996 by then VP Al Gore).