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The 15th annual North Carolina Beach Buggy Association Red Drum Tournament concluded last Saturday afternoon with lots of winners.

The tournament drew 551 anglers to the beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Anglers came from 23 different states and three countries other than the United States.

Anglers fished starting at midnight Wednesday through noon on Saturday, Oct. 26, from Ramp 23 to Ramp 45. Ramps 25, 27, and 30 are closed due to erosion. The three days featured balmy temperatures and bright sunshine.

The previous record for the tournament was 425 anglers, which was set in 2023.

This year the anglers caught and released 140 red drum.

Taking home top prize was Hannable McGarity from Lillington. He captured and released a 50.75 inch red drum in this his first red drum tournament (see page 1B for more). He was fishing with a team named Mattadors. On that team were Michele Diener and Stephen Diener from Raleigh, Evan Diener from Greenville, Doug Griner from Lizard Lick and McGarity.

Coming in second was Danny Fletcher who also caught a 50.75 inch red drum but later than McGarity. Fletcher also took home second place for a senior with a 44-inch drum and the David Flanigan Memorial Judge longest drum, another 50.75-inch red drum.

During the three days of fishing, Kyle Berry caught and released the most red drum. He also won the prize for the longest drum caught and released on Day Three, 48.25 inches.

The Joe Moore Team Division attracted 80 teams of three to six anglers. Under the rules, a team pools the number of red drum caught and released for the team award and can still use the same fish in the individual award categories.

At the top of the team competition were Foolproof Fishing with Kyle Berry, Gale Travis Kemp, Gale Johnson, Blake Mellot and Scott Williams with 10 red drum. Second place went to Blue Goobers with Louis Guzman, Alex Rabb, Alan Vette, Ian Gilmor, Q. Todd Krantz and Matt Burleigh with eight red drum. Third Place Team went to Greggofish made up of Jeanne Griffin, Greg Griffin, David Griffin, Jaime Fajardo, Michael Eastridge and Jason Cooper also with eight red drum caught. The tie goes to the first fish caught.

Tournament director Mike Regan supplied the team members’ names and other information. Al Adams served as head judge. Some 50 judges worked the tournament, which runs for a straight sixty hours of fishing.

About 40 volunteers worked the tournament, handling check in, selling raffle tickets and 50-50 tickets. The 50-50 winning ticket was worth $1,207.50.

Two special awards were presented. Joe Moore received special recognition for his long running sponsorship of the tournament. Some 27 businesses and organizations were sponsors of the 2024 Tournament. Janice Regan received an outstanding service award.

Proceeds from the tournament pay for the association’s four-year scholarships presented to a graduation senior at each Dare County high school and Ocracoke School. Proceeds also benefit non-profit organizations.

2024 NCBBA Red Drum Tournament Winners

Catch and release tournament. Numbers in inches.

Hannable McGarity, Longest Drum Overall, 50.75

Danny Fletcher, Second Longest Drum Overall, 50.75

Danny Fletcher, Judge Longest Red Drum, 50.75

Danny Fletcher, Senior Second Longest Drum, 44

Nick Barrell, Day One Longest Drum, 49.5

Louis Guzman, Day One Second Longest Drum, 49.25

Jordan Martin, Day Two Longest Drum, 47.25

David Moore, Day Two Second Longest Drum, 47

Kyle Berry, Day Three Longest Drum, 48.25

Tom Goode, Day Three Second Longest Drum, 45.25

Charles Durrer, Senior Longest Drum, 47.75

Amy Cooper, Ladies Longest Drum, 25.5

Joan Supplee, Ladies Second Longest Drum, 25.5

Malik Clark, Youth Longest Drum, 30

Henry Lucas, Youth Second Longest Drum, 24.5

Jerry Brewer, Longest Sea Mullet, 16.75

Scott Lane Ward, Longest Bluefish, 29

Wills Lucas, Youth Longest Bluefish, 19.5

Kyle Berry, Most Drum, 8 Drum

Foolproof Fishing, First Place Team, 10 Drum

Blue Goobers, Second Place Team, 8 Drum

Greggofish, Third Place Team, 8 Drum

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