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Registration is currently underway for the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association’s 15th Annual Red Drum Fishing Tournament, set for Oct. 23 to 26. The tournament is open to all anglers who wish to participate. It is not an invitational tournament.

Last year’s tournament featured 455 anglers with 120 red drum caught.

The tournament offers miles of naturally isolated fishing grounds along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore with anglers enjoying the exceptional fall fishing opportunities on the Outer Banks. Fishing will be from Ramps 23 to Ramp 45, if availability permits. With a king tide or beach erosion possibility, ramp changes may occur. During the 60 hours of wide-open fishing, anglers may fish where and when they wish with no assigned stations if the area is accessible by vehicle from midnight on Wednesday to noon on Saturday.

In 2018, a team division was added. In 2023, the division attracted over 45 teams.

The teams are composed of three to six anglers and have become a favorite for families as well as established teams that fish invitational tournaments. Team members are also eligible for individual prize categories.

To sign up for the tournament, go to the association’s website at ncbba.org. The fee is $130, which includes a hat, T-shirt, and a bag of fishy goodies. Participants must sign up by Sept. 23 to get a free T-shirt. “This is the latest we can order T-shirts and have them in on time for the tournament,” stated an association spokesperson.

This year’s tournament features more than $13,000 in prizes. Those who choose to judge two 6-hour sessions will have their entry fee refunded and will be eligible for a $1,000 cash prize in the “judges only” category for landing the longest drum. For more information or questions about judging, contact Al.Adam@ncbba.org.

Those who are pre-registered will be able to pick up angler packets at the Klub Koru parking lot in a drive-through fashion. Random selection from the pre-registered angler list will be lucky door prize recipients during this check-in.

On the day of check-in, Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 9 a.m., Tommy Farmer of Carolina Cast Pro will provide a casting seminar out on the beach. He will be followed by Ryan White of Hatteras Jack Tackle Shop at 11 a.m. Ryan’s presentation will be on reading the beach and alternative fishing techniques.

The tournament wraps up on Saturday, Oct. 26 at noon with an awards banquet with meal following at the Beach Klub at Klub Koru in Avon.

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