Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge

Friday–Sunday, September 25–27, 2026
Fishing Area: Hatteras Island beaches from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village (see below for list)
Tournament Headquarters: Camp Hatteras Conference Center, 24798 NC-12, Rodanthe
Entry Fee: $85 per angler after the early-registration deadline
Optional Slot Red Drum TWT: $25 per angler

Fall surf fishing takes center stage during the Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge, a three-day individual tournament stretching from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village.

Anglers compete in four primary divisions — Bluefish, Black Drum, Sea Mullet and Pompano — with more than $12,000 in cash and prizes based on 200 entries.

Fishing must take place from a Hatteras Island beach. No boat, sound or pier fishing is permitted.

Tournament Schedule

Friday, September 25

• 4–11 p.m. — Registration and check-in at Camp Hatteras Conference Center
• Every competitor, including those who preregistered, must check in and receive a tournament wristband.
• 11:59 p.m. — Official fishing time begins

Saturday, September 26

• Fishing continues around the clock.
• 10 a.m. — Weigh-in leaderboard update
• 8 p.m. — Weigh-in leaderboard update

Sunday, September 27

• 9 a.m. — Weigh-in leaderboard update
• Noon — Fishing ends
• 12:30–2 p.m. — Awards Dinner at Camp Hatteras Conference Center
• 2 p.m. — Awards Ceremony
• Immediately following awards — Tournament raffle

Weigh-In Locations

Anglers may weigh qualifying fish at five locations across Hatteras Island:

• Hatteras Jack — Rodanthe
• Frank & Fran’s — Avon
• Dillon’s Corner — Buxton
• Frisco Rod & Gun — Frisco
• Teach’s Lair — Hatteras Village

The competition is individual rather than team-based, and anglers may fish anywhere within the tournament’s designated Hatteras Island surf boundaries.