Red Drum Tournament
Different from the Rest
The 15th Annual Red Drum Tournament is open to the first 500 anglers who wish to enter.
It is not an invitational tournament but is an individual tournament with a team component.
We have 60 hours of fishing on the Hatteras Island beaches between Ramp 23 and possibly to ramp 45 (South Beach).
We added a team division in 2018 that has become so popular it attracted over 60 teams in 2023. The teams are composed of 3-6 anglers and have become a favorite for families as well as established teams that fish invitational tournaments. Team members are also eligible for all individual prize categories.
You choose where and when you wish to fish with no assigned stations, as long as the area is accessible by vehicle, from midnight on Wednesday through noon on Saturday.
In 2022 we upped the ante for those who choose to judge two six-hour sessions by adding a new category with a cash prize of $1,000 for longest drum among only the other two session judges. Of course, judges can still win any individual or team category in the tournament.
Over $13,000 in cash and prizes were awarded in 2023.
Tommy Farmer of Carolina Cast Pro will, once again, provide a casting seminar on the morning of check in. This worthwhile session will help improve your technique and casting effectiveness. Tommy’s seminar will be followed with one from Hatteras’ Jacks own Ryan White. Ryan will be talking about reading the beach and alternative techniques. Not only is he a renowned rodsmith but an excellent fisherman as well.
Those who are pre-registered, highly recommended, will pick up their angler packets at the Klub Koru parking lot in a drive through fashion. Random selection from the pre-registered angler list will be lucky door prize recipients during this check-in.
The tournament wraps up on Saturday afternoon with an awards banquet and meal at the Beach Klub at Klub Koru. Along with the ceremony you may visit with several of our sponsors who will be displaying some of their goods.
Scan Code to Register
Schedule of Events
September 23, 2024 - Deadline for free t-shirts
October 1, 2024 - Mail in registration ends
October 18, 2024 - Online registration ends
Wednesday October 23, 2024
Angler check-in 8AM -5PM at Koru parking lot (next to the Avon pier)
Late angler registration from 8AM - 8PM at Frank and Fran's
Judges will check-in and have orientation at Frank and Fran's between 8AM and 8PM * Judges who need to check in later than 7PM must contact the head judge to schedule a meeting time for orientation.
Vendors show at Koru Beach Klub parking lot (next to the Avon pier) from 8 AM to 4 PM
Educations Seminars at Ramp 34
- 9AM Tommy Farmer Casting Clinic
- 11AM Ryan White from Hatteras Jack - Alternative Fishing Techniques Seminar
Thursday - Saturday
Grab your own spot within our designated fishing areas and fish around the clock if you'd like. Be sure to respect the NPS wildlife closure signs.
Saturday
Awards banquet from 2PM - 5PM at Koru Beach Klub
What's Included
Join us for our biggest fund raiser. Come away with great memories and some goodies.
Upon check in you will get your angler packet which will include an RDT pin, RDT hat, hemostat, some rigs and more.
Early bird anglers (those who registered on or before 9/23/24) will also get a beautiful, limited edition RDT T-shirt.
Random door prizes will be awarded during check in.
RDT Rules
Please review the RDT Rules whether you are a new or a returning angler.
2024 NCBBA Red Drum Tournament Rules
- The Official entry form (Angler Score Tracking Sheet) must be presented when submitting a fish to a tournament official.
- Fish must be measured & verified by the on-duty Tournament Official to qualify for
- All fish caught on 10/24 must be registered before 11:59 P.M. on 10/24. All fish caught on 10/25 must be registered by 11:59 P.M. on 10/25. All fish caught on 10/26 must be registered by 12:00 P.M. on 10/26. Angler must be registered when the fish is caught. No fish can be entered after 12:00 P.M. on 10/26. Exception: If fish is hooked prior to 12:00 P.M. the Angler may land the fish provided judge was called before 12:00 M.
- All Anglers will display their fishing gear for examination to any Tournament Official on request. Anglers are limited to 2 rods per licensed angler, that may be actively fished. Do not use unattended rods to take up beach
- Keep the beaches clean – no bait scrap or carcass to be thrown in the
- No nets or gaff may be used by Anglers. No use of boats or other flotation devices may be used for placing baits. No assistance allowed in casting or landing of fish. This is a catch and release tournament except Bluefish and
- Surf fishing only, feet must be on the sand. No sound-side fishing. Anglers must only fish in designated beach driving areas. The judge must be able to drive to you in order to score the
- All measurements will be determined by TAIL LENGTH. In the case of a tie, the first measured fish
- Anglers must have an area working cell phone.
- All Anglers must have a current NPS Off Road Vehicle (ORV) permit to drive on NPS beaches. Permits must be purchased online and affixed to vehicle windshield.
- All Anglers must have a valid NC Saltwater Fishing License, available at most tackle shops or can be purchased online.
- For the team event the team with the most number of Red Drum registered will be the winning team. Should there be a tie in quantity, the team that reaches the winning number of Red Drum earliest, by session and time, will be the winner.
- Teams must be finalized on the day of check-in. Teams cannot be modified (meaning anglers can’t change teams once fishing starts).
- One fish counts in one Category except Most Drum Caught, Team, and Judge Categories.
- The winner of the Judge Category will be the two-session Judge catching the longest Red Drum. Should there be a tie the first one caught will be the winner. The winning Judge’s fish will also qualify for the regular tournament categories. NCBBA Board of Directors are not eligible for this category.
- Prize winners will be subject to current IRS rules regarding value of prizes and may be required to complete a W9.
- The Co-Chairmen, Head Judge or NCBBA may cancel the complete tournament or any portion of the tournament if circumstances such as bad weather arise. If the complete tournament is cancelled before it begins, a total refund of the entry fee will be made. Once the tournament begins, no refunds will be
- The Co-Chairmen or Head Judge reserves the right to disqualify any fish of suspicious nature that is entered
- Any Angler who displays inappropriate or unsportsmanlike conduct is subject to disqualification from the tournament. If the disqualified Angler is part of a team only the violating Angler will be disqualified. If this causes the team to drop below three anglers, the team no longer qualifies as a team but can still win individual prizes.
- All Anglers must abide by NPS beach access rules including posted restriction areas (for example closures for turtle nests), as well as ramp access hours. Violators may be disqualified from the tournament.
Changes in rules & prizes may occur between this printing and the tournament. All entries will be advised of any changes at registration. Co-Chairmen, Head Judge and Asst. Head Judge excluded from prizes.
updated 2/27/2024
Over $13,000 Prizes
Award Value Categories
$2000
Longest Drum Overall
$1000
2nd Longest Drum Overall
Two-Session Judge *
$900
Most Drum Overall *
$500
Ladies Longest Drum
Senior Longest Drum
Youth Longest Drum
Day 1 Longest Drum
Day 2 Longest Drum
Day 3 Longest Drum
$300
Ladies 2nd Longest Drum
Senior 2nd Longest Drum
Youth 2nd Longest Drum
Day 1 2nd Longest Drum
Day 2 2nd Longest Drum
Day 3 2nd Longest Drum
Joe Moore Team Most Drum - Plaques and Other Prizes
First Place, Second Place, and Third Place *
Bluefish and Sea Mullet
$500
Longest Blue Overall
Longest Mullet Overall
$175
Youth Longest Blue
Youth Longest Mullet
*One fish can win in only one category (except Most Caught, Team and Judge categories. Angler can win in more categories with multiple fish.
Senior Angler (65 & Older) - Youth Angler (15 & Younger)
Bluefish (16 inch minimum) -- Sea Mullet (14 inch minimum)
In conformance with IRS rules, all winners are required to fill out and sign IRS form W9 prior to payment/receipt of prizes.
Tournament Officials (Chairmen, Head Judge and Assistant Head Judge are not eligible for prizes).
Don't miss out on free RDT T-shirt
Register by 9/23/2024 for a free Red Drum Tournament T-shirt!
History of our Tournament
While celebrating the 15th Annual NCBBA Red Drum Tournament I thought some of you may appreciate some history. There are a number of folks who could fill in many more details to this brief history, but this is what I have come to learn.
The tournament that immediately preceded Frank and Fran's Red Drum Tournament was the 15th Annual World Championship Red Drum Tournament. That event was founded by Joe Moore (One More Cast) and run by Joe and his wife until 1998. The first team division, “The Joe Moore Team Challenge,” was added in the 2018 tournament and has become very popular with 40+ teams participating in 2022. Joe's tournament was headquartered at Frank and Fran's in 1998 so when Joe decided that the Moore family had other `business to address the time allocated for the three-day tournament was ceded to Frank Folb, who started Frank and Fran's Red Drum Tournament in 1999. Frank, Fran, and some of his crew ran the tournament until 2008 when they decided they would like to pass it on to others. At the time NCBBA had the opportunity to take over the event. With knowledge of the intense work required to manage such an event, the Board of Directors was generally opposed to step in and assume the responsibility. Given his extraordinary efforts, along with his commitment to accept all responsibility, David Joyner prevailed, and we officially had the first NCBBA Red Drum Tournament in 2009. Dave, with the help of his wife Joyce and some steadfast members, headed up tournament efforts until stepping down after the 2017, 9th Annual event.
David Flanigan was head judge with Bobby Halstead as his assistant for the first nine events. George Mood picked up the head judge mantle in 2017 and still carries it with Bobby remaining assistant as he has for every previous tournament. Tom Heggie, our Treasurer, continued to support the registration, headquarters and banquet functions as he has done for the last several tournaments. Carol Mowers is a fixture at the merchandize tables and in creation of this Tournament Book, along with Janice Regan. They are responsible for recent enhancements to the book as well acquiring new supporters with help from Director Tom Brueckner and Vice President Jay Dimig. We had over 20 member volunteers helping with such things as raffle sales, angler check in and late registration, banquet, and other tasks. We have reached out beyond the RDT committee for suggestions resulting in some changes such as the drive through check in, the new banquet venue at the Beach Klub at Koru in 2017 and the team division added in 2018. When Frank Folb sold his business to Heather and Tim James and Stephanie and Randy Bayne in 2016 the new owners graciously offered to continue to host Tournament headquarters where they have gone out of their way to make everyone welcome.
A Tournament Committee took over the task of running the 10th annual event and has been doing so ever since. This year Mike Regan is the chairman, and Al Adam will serve as Head Judge. Our project plan continues to be managed by Janice Regan. Tom Brueckner and Jay Dimig have key roles as does Carol Mowers and Gary Houchins.
Last, and by no means least, we need to thank the judges, sponsors, volunteers, supporters and you, our anglers, in making the Tournament possible. The 2023 tournament set a new record for attendance, bringing 455 anglers to our Hatteras Island beaches. Many have been with us since the beginning and hopefully will be with us for years to come. Thanks to all who are involved for the support and your suggestions for ways that we may improve what is already a terrific event.
Al Adam, President, 13459
Mail-in Registration
You can mail in your registration to the following address. It must be received by 9/23/24 for a free t-shirt and by 10/1/24 to be registered in the tournament.
RDT Registration
PO Box 189
Nags Head, NC 27920
Judge Information and Registration
ONE SESSION JUDGES - REGISTRATION $65
We need all judge contact information.
Please complete this application AFTER you have been given your ramp assignment. We need all your contact information as well as your shirt size.
The form below puts you on our official one-session judge list.
Interested but not signed up?
Judges are critical to our event. Without judges we wouldn't have a tournament.
If you would like to judge one session you will be able to fish paying only half the registration fee at only $65.00
You will be eligible to win any prize for which you qualify except the judge category which is reserved for those anglers who judge two sessions.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Al Adam [email protected] 610-587-8678
STAND-BY JUDGE - REGISTRATION - FREE IF NOT FISHING
If you would like to be put on our list as a stand-by judge please complete this form after you have discussed your preference with Al Adam.
If you plan to fish and compete for prizes you must also register as an angler and pay the $130 entrance fee. If you simply want to help, thank you! Just complete the form below.
If you end up judging two sessions you are eligible for the Judge Only prize as well as the other angler/team prizes and you will be refunded your $130 entrance fee. If you end up judging one session you will be eligible for all prizes except the Judge Only prize and you will be refunded $65.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Al Adam [email protected] 610-587-8678
TWO SESSION JUDGES - REGISTRATION FREE
All two session judge slots are now full. We thank all of you who have stepped up.
That said, things happen and sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances judges need to drop out at the last minute. For this reason, we like to have a stand-by list. If you would like to sign up as a stand-by judge we would appreciate that.
Stand-by judges who plan to fish should register as a stand-by judge but also register as an angler. If we need you to judge one session we will refund $65 and if we need you to judge two sessions we will refund you $130.
Please see the stand-by application above.
14th Annual Red Drum Tournament Awards
2023 First Place Winner
Longest Drum Overall
Award Value $2000
Tommy Farmer presents Louis Guzman with first place prize for Longest Drum Overall at 47.5"
2023 Second Place Winner
Second Longest Drum Overall
Award Value $1000
Head Judge George Mood presents Chris Linton with his award for his 46" fish.
Ladies Longest Drum
Awarded to Mildred Ritter for catching and releasing a 33.5 in drum.
Mildred also won the Ladies second longest drum!
What people say about it
This is one young man's story.