Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge
Friday–Sunday, September 25–27, 2026
Fishing Area: Hatteras Island beaches from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village (See below for a 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, not team-based, and anglers may fish anywhere within the tournament's designated Hatteras Island surf boundaries.