Anglers Club tournament is topic of Radio Hatteras show
The annual Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament, the largest and one of the oldest on the East Coast, was the topic of the Radio Hatteras Interview Show, “To the Point,” on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The guests for the interview were Larry Hardham, long-time president of the Anglers Club, and Pat Weston, the club’s secretary.
They talked about the tournament’s past and present.
The Cape Hatteras Anglers Club was founded in 1957 by a group of islanders with the sole purpose of promoting fishing on Hatteras and bringing visitors here, especially in the fall “shoulder” season.
This year’s tournament begins with meetings and registration on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Team fishing days are Thursday and Friday, Nov. 5 and 6, and the tournament ends with an individual contest on Saturday, Nov. 7.
The public is invited to attend an evening social and tackle show on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 7 until 9 p.m. at the clubhouse, which is at the end of Light Plant Road — across from Conner’s Supermarket — in Buxton.
The Anglers Club tournament is one of the most popular, perhaps because it is scheduled in early November — one of the prime times for fishing on the Outer Banks — and there are perennially dozens of teams on the waiting list for one of the spots.
Several years ago, the limit of 100 teams was increased to 120, and there’s still a waiting list.
Each team has six members, so 720 tournament anglers will hit the beach early in the morning on Nov. 5 for the first of the four fishing sessions.
The anglers, many of whom bring friends or family members, keep island businesses busy for that first week in November and contribute significantly to the island’s economy.
In turn, the Anglers Club — with the proceeds of the tournament, its bingo games, and other fundraisers — gives college scholarships to Hatteras Island graduating seniors and supports many other island non-profits with generous donations.
If you are not familiar with how fishing tournaments work or want to know more about what all those anglers you will see at the beach on Nov. 5 and 6 are doing, Hardham and Weston will explain the details to you in this interview.
Anglers Club membership is open to all and is a way to get to know other folks who share a passion for Hatteras Island surf fishing. Membership costs $25 a year for an adult and for details, go to the club’s website at www.capehatterasanglersclub.org.
“To the Point,” which is hosted by Island Free Press editor Irene Nolan, airs on the island’s community radio station, FM 101.5, at 5 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month. It is repeated on the second and fourth Sunday. Those who don’t live on Hatteras can listen to the show on Sundays through live streaming at www.radiohatteras.org.
Scroll down and click on the “To the Point” logo to listen to the audio of the interview.
MORE ABOUT RADIO HATTERAS
Radio Hatteras is our community, non-profit radio station and depends on grants, memberships, and underwriting.
It broadcasts around the clock with news — including such things as surfing and fishing reports — community announcements, music, and special programs. The station is also now streamed live. To listen, go to www.radiohatteras.org.
Our community radio station also needs your support, and you can give that by purchasing a membership or by underwriting the station if you are a business or another community non-profit.
Radio Hatteras memberships are $50 for a family, $25 for an individual and $10 for a student. Mail memberships and other contributions to Radio Hatteras, P.O. Box 339, Frisco, NC 27936.
E-mail info@radiohatteras.org or call (252) 995-6000 for information about underwriting opportunities.
