Outer Banks Fishing Tournaments Events - 2026 Schedule

Outer Banks Fishing Tournaments Events - 2026 Schedule
Week of May 11, 2026 - May 17, 2026
Tuesday, May 12th - Saturday, May 16th
Hatteras

Celebrating its 32nd year in 2026, the Hatteras Village Offshore Open continues to be one of the most popular fishing tournaments of the year along the southern Outer Banks, and is a fantastic chance to discover how incredible fishing off the Hatteras Island coastline can be. Based in the small town of Hatteras village on the southern edge of the island, this multiple-day tournament attracts anglers from all across the East Coast, and is one of the most anticipated fishing events of the year for folks throughout the Outer Banks, and miles beyond.

Week of June 8, 2026 - June 14, 2026
Wednesday, June 10th
Nags Head

Share a love of fishing with the youngest members in your vacationing party with this special fishing tournament that’s designed with youth anglers in mind. The Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Tournament is an annual fishing tournament that takes place on the famous Jennette’s Pier, as well as Avalon pier, Outer Banks Fishing Pier, and Nags Head Fishing Pier. It is open to all anglers ages 16 and under. The age groups for competitors are 4-9 years old and 10-16 years old, and trophies as well as rod and reel combos are awarded to the largest fish caught by a girl and boy angler for the day. Participants in the “catch and release” tournament can enjoy a full morning of fishing before going to a celebratory and awards lunch close to the pier.

Week of August 3, 2026 - August 9, 2026
Saturday, August 8th - Sunday, August 9th
Manteo

The Alice Kelly Memorial Tournament has been a tradition on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years, and is one of the most famous offshore fishing tournaments where only the ladies are allowed to compete.

Saturday, August 8th - Friday, August 14th
Manteo

Head to the waterfront docks of Manteo to take part in one of the biggest offshore fishing tournaments of the year at the annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament.

Week of August 10, 2026 - August 16, 2026
Saturday, August 8th - Friday, August 14th
Manteo

Head to the waterfront docks of Manteo to take part in one of the biggest offshore fishing tournaments of the year at the annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament.

Week of September 21, 2026 - September 27, 2026
Friday, September 25th - Sunday, September 27th
Waves

Bring your rods and reels and discover how incredible the fishing on the Outer Banks can be when the temps cool and the fall season rolls around by signing up for the Hatteras Island Surf Fishing Challenge. This popular fishing tournament takes place all across the islands, and allows anglers to pick a favorite spot, cast a line, and hopefully reel in a few big catches, as well as a few hefty cash prizes, along the way.

Week of October 12, 2026 - October 18, 2026
Wednesday, October 14th - Friday, October 16th
Nags Head

October is renowned as prime time for fishing on the Outer Banks, and Nags Head anglers don’t have to venture too far to enjoy a surf fishing tournament that is wonderfully close to home. The Nags Head Surf Fishing Club Tournament is open to skilled and amateur anglers alike, and takes place all along the sunny Nags Head beaches, with plenty of room to cast a line in the hopes of reeling in some big catches, and some big prizes.

Saturday, October 17th - Sunday, October 18th
Hatteras

The group which hosts the tournament, Capitol City Four Wheelers, is based out of Virginia and is always looking for new members who love and promote safe 4WD accessible driving. For an October surf fishing tournament that revolves around driving along the incredible beaches of Hatteras Island, the Capitol City Surf Fishing Tournament is certainly one to watch.

Week of October 19, 2026 - October 25, 2026
Wednesday, October 21st - Saturday, October 24th
Avon

Registration is currently open for the Annual North Carolina Beach Buggy Association’s (NCBBA) Red Drum Tournament. The tournament features more than $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. The tournament offers miles of naturally isolated fishing grounds along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, allowing anglers to maintain social distance while enjoying the exceptional fall fishing conditions of the Outer Banks. Anglers fish from ORV Ramp 23 to Ramp 38, and possiblly Ramps 43 and 44 if judge availability permits. Anglers may fish where they please within the tournament boundaries, as there are no station assignments during the 60 hours of wide-open fishing. This year’s banquet and awards ceremony may be subject to restrictions by state or local authorities in regard to group gatherings, depending on the state of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Week of November 2, 2026 - November 8, 2026
Wednesday, November 4th - Saturday, November 7th
Hatteras

Renowned as one of the oldest fishing tournaments on the East Coast, the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament is also one of the biggest Hatteras island tournaments of the years, with hundreds of anglers flocking to the southern Outer Banks for exceptional fall fishing that can't be found anywhere else. With big prizes and plenty of opportunities to have fun off the beach, this tournament has become a generations-old tradition for local and visiting anglers alike. 

Outer Banks Map
Carova Corolla Duck Southern Shores Kitty Hawk Kill Devil Hills Manteo Nags Head Wanchese Rodanthe Waves Salvo Avon Buxton Frisco Hatteras Ocracoke
Coquina Beach

Located just south of Nags Head, Coquina Beach is a refreshingly undeveloped stretch of shoreline that's close to the central Outer Banks towns of Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Kitty Hawk, but feels like it's miles away.

Brindley Beach Vacations

Brindley Beach Vacations offers premier Real Estate and Property Management services across the entire Outer Banks. Representing more than 450 vacation rental homes, we proudly serve every region—from the southern beaches of Hatteras Island...

NIRVANA

Overview Achieve a state of Nirvana during your next Outer Banks vacation when you reserve this serene oceanfront sanctuary in Nags Head. Guests enjoy a welcoming great room with a gourmet kitchen, inspiring ocean views, eight memorable...

  • Nags Head
  • 8 Bedrooms
  • 9 Bathrooms
Risky Business Shrimping and Crabbing

If you’re looking for a fun, hands-on activity that the whole family can enjoy together, hop aboard Risky Business for an Outer Banks shrimping and crabbing charter. Our experienced captain and mate will show your group how to pull crab pots...

Hokie Hi HC-7

Looking for a peaceful and relaxing vacation home? Look no further than Hokie Hi. This oceanside charmer offers everything your family needs for the perfect Hatteras Island vacation!On the top level, the well-equipped, spacious kitchen offers quartz...

  • Avon
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
Low Tide Bar & Grill

Low Country Seafood from the islands. North, South, East or West, our menu will satisfy any cravings you have while on your beach vacation! Let us do the cooking tonight! Reseservations and Outdoor Seating available. We’ve got something...

Keg's

Wow, a great 7 bedroom oceanfront property with private pool, kiddie pool, hot tub, and a full-size pool table inside! Keg's is a fabulous Outer Banks oceanfront resort, designed specifically for the comfort of families. Your loved ones will flip...

  • Nags Head
  • 7 Bedrooms
  • 5 Bathrooms
  • Sleeps 20
Moge Tee

QUALITY YOU CAN SEE, FRESHNESS YOU CAN TASTE! Every cup made to order with the freshest ingredients and handcrafted loose leaf tea brewed to perfection! Combining all the natural gifts from mother nature!

Leisure Dayz

**A 4x4 Vehicle is required to access this home, there are no paved roads in Carova. This home is located 4.8 miles from the 4-wheel drive on-ramp.**** Escape to Leisure Dayz, a stunning oceanfront retreat nestled amidst the serene 4wd beaches of...

  • Carova
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 3 Bathrooms
OBX Laser Tag and Arcade

Here’s some high energy entertainment for the kids, and for young adults (or young at heart) who love laser tag. On one side of this large facility is the “moon bounce inflatable room,” where the young ‘uns can go and bounce...

True at First Light

Located in Duck / 9 Bedrooms / 9 Full Bathrooms / 1 Half BathroomPrepare to indulge in the ultimate Outer Banks hideaway at this charming, oceanfront Brindley Beach Vacations home. With its thoughtful design and an astonishing array of opulent...

  • Duck
  • 9 Bedrooms
  • 9 Bathrooms
Corolla Wild Horse Tours

Corolla Wild Horse Tours knowledgeable guides will ensure you and your family have a great wild horse tour! Along the way the guides will stop and point out interesting sites and local history and details of the Corolla Wild Horses history. Be sure...

Julie BD-11

Enjoy ocean views from Julie and direct beach access in the heart of Waves. Take in stunning sunrises on the east-facing decks or marvel at the sunset from the soundside deck. Vaulted ceilings on the top level create a light and airy atmosphere and...

  • Waves
  • 4 Bedrooms
  • 2.5 Bathrooms
Nags Head Dolphin Watch

Scientists run these dolphin tours as part of their research on these beloved aquatic animals, so you know this will be an interesting trip. Passengers will be able to see how researchers with the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research, a nonprofit...

Summer Surfer

SEMI-OCEANFRONT Avon - Kinnakeet Shores - SUMMER SURFER provides an broad living area and with its location just one lot back from the ocean, summer surfing is closer than ever. Take a dip in the private swimming pool, and even savor it at...

  • Avon
  • 5 Bedrooms
  • 4.5 Bathrooms