All four ocean fishing piers located in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills open up their doors this morning, Wednesday, June 19, for the annual free Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Fishing Tournament.

Organized and sponsored by the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club, hundreds of children ages 4 to 16 compete in two divisions for the longest fish in a number of categories and are sure to make memories in the half day event.

It was Boyden’s wish to get more kids out on the water to enjoy fishing. This tournament gets hundreds of them onto local ocean piers with rods in hand.

Registration began at 7 a.m. with lines in the water from 8 a.m. to noon. There’s no cost and children receive a free T-shirt and a chance to win a door prize at the awards ceremony, which is held at Pamlico Jack’s soundside in Nags Head at 1 p.m. Those who catch the largest fish in a category are awarded a rod and reel combo along with a trophy.

Opening up their businesses to the event participants, parents and volunteer judges are Avalon, Nags Head, Jennette’s and Outer Banks piers. Although they don’t judge skates, rays or sharks, the do take note of “exemplary catches,” so be sure to show your judge anything unusual.

Over at Pamlico’s in the afternoon, enjoy a free picnic lunch that usually includes grilled hot dogs, chips, soda and a cookie. After the awards are given out, all of the children get a chance at winning a nice door prize, which may include tackle boxes, beach chairs and more rod and reel combos.

Over at Jennette’s Pier Tuesday morning, there was a lot of interest in the tournament and staff was answering plenty of questions.

Fishing was slow, however, thanks to the upwelling that had the water temp at 60 degrees. Anglers had decked a few spot, croaker, sea mullet, sand perch and skate that morning.

Editor’s Note: We are always looking for great fishing stories so please send yours with any photos to obxfishnews@gmail.com.

READ MORE IN OUR ON THE WATER SECTION HERE.

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