Preparations are underway for the 34th Annual Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament. Dave Robinson and Seth Huppert set up the score boards at the Ocracoke Community Center.

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 The 34th Annual Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament begins tomorrow.

Tournament co-director Woody Billings said 72 teams will compete this year for the largest and most fish caught during four fishing sessions on Thursday and Friday along the beach from the NPS campground to South Point.

The teams come from the island, the region and beyond. A new corporate team, Coastal Gas, joined the two other corporate teams of Howard’s Pub and Ocracoke Island Realty, Billings said.

Rae Eley, a OISFT board member and member of the Fish Lips fishing team, organizes the prizes, merchandise and raffle tickets sales.

Merchandise and raffle ticket sales opened today (Wednesday) at 1 p.m. in the Community Center.

 

The Kick-Off Party will be at Howard’s Pub tonight at 7 p.m. with the Michael Clarke Band.

The post-fishing socializing continues on Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. in Howard’s Pub with DJ and WOVV personality Tommy Hutcherson

The Friday evening closing pig pickin’ barbeque dinner, furnished by Jack Edwards and the Carolina Boys, (open to the public) is at 5:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony, all at the Community Center.

After expenses, proceeds of the tournament from fees and sponsorships are gifted to several local nonprofits.

The N.C. Ferry Division added extra runs today for arriving contestants and families. There will also be an unscheduled “shuttle” boat to help alleviate traffic.

The one-day schedule for the rest of today (May 3) will be as follows:

  • From Hatteras: 4 p.m., 5, 5:30, 5:45, 6:20, 6:45, 7:20, 7:50, 8:15, 9:15, 10:45 p.m., and midnight.
  • From Ocracoke:  3:50 p.m., 4:20, 4:45, 5:10, 6:10, 6:40, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10:30 p.m. and midnight.

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