Cape Hatteras Anglers Club announces results from the 66th Annual Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament
The Cape Hatteras Anglers Club 66th Annual Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament was held on November 6-8, 2024. 120 teams participated in this year’s tournament and caught a total of 813 fish. This tournament is the largest of its kind in the world. Each year, 120 teams (720 fishermen and women) are invited to participate. Including judges and other volunteers, over 800 anglers enjoy this event.
Results – Men’s Division
Outer Banks Sportfishers of Manteo, North Carolina took first place men and overall winners with 8 fish for a total of 115 points. Team Captain Gary Oliver and his teammates Tristan Beacham, Dan Hardy, Les Lockhart, Ryan Oliver, and Rusty Purser landed one fish for 103 points in the second session. Overall trophies were donated by Basnight & Moran Insurance. First Place Vacasa donated men trophies.
Sons of Blackbeard of Candler, North Carolina placed second in the Mens Division with 13 fish for a total of 104 points. Captain Shannon Herron and his teammates: Grant Herren, James Pittman, Paul Manders, Scott Sullivan and Matt Wilbur entered a strong third session with 4 fish for 96 points. Midgett Realty donated Second Place Men trophies.
One More Cast of Milton, Delaware placed third in the Mens Division with 46 fish for a total of 87 points. Captain Bob Zak and his teammates: Sporto Gury, Eric Jackson, Bobby Zak III, Lance Cochran and Blaine Burrier consistently scored points each session ending the fourth session with 29 fish for 57 points. Third Place Men trophies were donated by Frisco Rod & Gun.
Results Women’s Division
Sandbunnies from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina took first place women with 8 fish for 32 points. Team Captain Christie Rauscher and her teammates: Nancy Sebrell, Marcia Branner, Traci VanWaes, Katy Maiorana and Beth Garcia started off with 2 fish for 23 points in the first session and continued to add to their score on day two. First Place First National Bank donated women trophies.
Virginia Beach Anglers Club Ladies of Virginia Beach, Virginia placed second in the Women’s Division with 15 fish for a total of 29 points. Team Captain Caroline Robinson and her teammates: Patty Searby, Liz Nash, Jennie Braithwaite, Micki Walsh and Melanie Bayford had a strong second session with 11 fish for 20 points and added more points to start day 2. Second Place Surf or Sound donated women trophies.
Finz ‘N Grinz of Shawboro, North Carolina placed third in the Womens Division with 13 fish for a total of 27 points. Captain Laura Etheridge and her teammates: Suzanne Anderson, Carol Mowers, Cheryl Bundy, Renee Costanzo and Tracy Oates tallied 5 fish for 8 points on day one and 8 fish for 19 points on day two. Third Place Cockeyed Clam donated women trophies.
Sessions Winners:
Session 1: TIE
Surfside Anglers – 23 points
Sandbunnies – 23 points
Session 2:
Outer Banks Sportfishers – 103 points
Session 3:
Fish Hawks – 48 points
Session 4:
Sons of Blackbeard – 96 points
Conner’s Supermarket donated all Session Winners trophies.
Results – Individual Winners
The Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Annual Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament also recognizes individual winners in the following categories:
LARGEST RED DRUM
Male Winner- Les Lockhart of Outer Banks Sportfishers scored a 51” Red Drum
Female Winner – Shannon Herron of Sons of Blackbeard scored a 45” Red Drum
Largest Red Drum trophies donated by Resort Realty.
LARGEST BLUEFISH
Male Winner – Mark Nelson of Ridge Anglers scored a 21 ½” Bluefish
Female Winner – Kelsy Cycyk of Reel Women scored a 16” Bluefish
Largest Bluefish trophies donated by Resort Realty.
LARGEST FISH OTHER (other than a Red Drum or Bluefish)
Male Winners – Travis Kemp of Island Life Realty scored a 17” Sea Mullet.
Largest Fish Other trophy donated by Resort Realty.
Female Winner – Amy Harkrader of Quarterdeck QT’s scored a 15 ¾” Black Drum.
Largest Fish Other trophy donated by Hatteras Island Quilters.
A total of 813 fish were caught this year for a total of 1,896 points.
Congratulations to All our winners!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The 67th Cape Hatteras Annual Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament will be held November 5th-8th, 2025!
