The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association’s third annual Red Drum Tournament, hosted by Frank and Fran’s tackle shop in Avon, had 235 anglers fishing on Thursday, Oct. 20, through Saturday, Oct. 22.

Those fishermen included 21 women, 35 seniors (over 65), and 11 juniors (under 16). They came from 15 states and were competing for more than $12,000 in cash and prizes. Allan Maly from Dallas, Texas, traveled the farthest to fish the tournament.

They caught a total of 41 drum, 32 of which qualified for the minimum 40-inch length needed for a North Carolina release citation. 

All proceeds from this year’s tournament will benefit the Hatteras Island Methodist Men. The tournament raised $4,130 from a 50/50 raffle and two custom-built rod/reel combo raffles. One was a Rainshadow RX7 rod with Saltist reel built by NCBBA life member Gary Michaels. The other was a Century rod with a 7HD Daiwa reel built by Ryan White of Hatteras Jack.  Both are longtime supporters of NCBBA. 

NCBBA also conducted a toy drive for the children on Hatteras Island during the tournament; asking everyone to make cash donations or bring an unwrapped new toy to Frank and Fran’s. 

The group collected a full pick-up truck of new toys and $526.  Logan Sheriff donated $100 and Mike Crew donated $300 from their prize winnings to help the children.

Fishing began at 12:01 a.m. Thursday with anglers fishing from 2.5 miles north of Ramp 23 in Salvo to .5 mile south of Ramp 38 in Avon.  

Day 1 saw 10 drum caught, and nine were over 40 inches to earn a release citation.

Matt Burleigh was leading with a 50-inch fish, and Scott Allsbrook was in second place overall with a 48-inch fish.  Jamie Fajardo led Day 1 largest red drum each day with a 47.25-inch fish, and Keith Workman was in second place with a 47-inch fish. Wayne Mathis led the largest red drum caught by a senior -- a 40.75-inch fish. Danny Fletcher led the largest bluefish category with a 16.25-inch fish, and George Mood led for the largest sea mullet at 1 pound, 6 ounces.

There were no female or junior catches during Day 1.

Day 2 featured 26 more drum landed with 19 more citations.

Matt Burleigh still led with his 50-inch fish, but junior angler Logan Sheriff moved in second place overall with another 50-inch drum. The time of catch is the tie breaker. Ian Gilmour led the Day 2 largest red drum each cay category with a 48.25-inch fish, and Josh Lee was in second place with a 48-inch fish.

Day 3 started off with a bang. The first session ended with five more drum being caught. Forty drum had been caught so far with a total of 31 citations.

John Ross led Day 3 with a 49-inch fish, and Ian Gilmour was in second place with a 48.25-inch drum. Ian Gilmour led the most caught red drum category with five fish landed. Abbey Sterling, 11, led the junior division with an 18-inch puppy drum. Bonnie Connelly led the female division with a 44 1/2 –inch fish, and John Ross led the senior division with his 46 ¾-inch drum. Mike Crew had the largest bluefish – 21 inches – and John Ross led with a 1 pound, 11 ounce sea mullet. 

No fish were caught Saturday morning in the 6 a.m. until noon session, and only one fish was caught during the final session.

The final results are:

• Largest overall drum. Matt Burleigh from Spotsylvania, Va., with his 50-inch fish, and 15-year-old junior angler Logan Sheriff from Palmyra, Pa., placed second with his 50-inch drum. Time of catch was used as the tie breaker.
• Largest red drum each day category. The Day 1 winner was Scott Allsbrook of Winterville, N.C., with second going to Jamie Fajardo of Fuquay-Varina, N.C. On Day 2, the category was won by Ian Gilmour from Durham, N.C., and Josh Lee of Manassas, Va., finished second. On Day 3, John Ross of Bolivia, N.C., took first, and Ian Gilmour placed second.
• Most red drum caught. Ian Gilmour with five fish landed.
• Junior division.  Abbey Sterling with her 18-inch puppy drum.
• Female division. Bonnie Connelly of Culpepper, Va., won with a 44 ½-inch fish.
• Senior division.  John Ross won with a 46 ¾-inch fish.
• Largest bluefish. Prize went to Mike Crew of Leesburg, Va.
• Largest sea mullet. John Ross won with a 1 pound, 11-ounce fish.

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