Visit The Outer Banks

Celebrating the Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Fishing Tournament

By Denine Phillips on Jun. 17, 2024

In October, I joined the 71st Annual Nags Head Surf Fishing Club’s (NHSFC) Invitational Tournament with club president Dave Masters. Across 2 blustery days of tournament fishing, I was introduced to another enduring Outer Banks fishing tradition: the Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Fishing Tournament, a catch-and-release competition for children ages 4 to 16.

Eight months later, my husband and I spent a wonderful day along the ocean piers, watching young anglers reel in their catches and hurry over to scorekeepers for measurements. In only 4 hours, the joy on those kids’ faces was something special.

Getting to Know Fritz Boyden

That morning, while putting on my free T-shirt covered with tournament logos, I found myself asking who Fritz Boyden was. Fritz Boyden’s grandson Joe White, a retired commercial fisherman, shared the picture of a deeply skilled angler, gracious man, and generous mentor who made time for people, especially children. Fritz Boyden also served as a past president of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce, belonged to the NHSFC for over 30 years, and wrote a daily fishing report at the Outer Banks Pier. A well-known pier saying also kept his name in circulation.

In 1971, Fritz Boyden turned his passion for fishing into the Youth Fishing Tournament. His belief was that children who were taken fishing would stay out of trouble. The tournament’s origin may now be part of local history, but the story stretches further. Fritz Boyden’s wife, Libby, became a legend in her own right, winning surfcasting contests and tournaments for decades and helping found the NC Sea Hags Surf Fishing Team.

Fritz Boyden presents trophy to Jason Sadler for largest fish, 21-1//4” blue (1970s).

The source page includes attributed recollections and sayings from Joe White, Dave Masters Jr., and Fritz Boyden. Together, those voices emphasize Fritz Boyden’s kindness, his dedication to youth fishing, the family legacy carried forward by the NHSFC, and the deep satisfaction of watching children discover fishing on the Outer Banks.

Still Thriving 53 Years Later, with one year lost to Covid

From early awards gatherings in the parking lot of Restaurant, by George, where the free hotdogs began, to the polished setting of the banquet hall at Jennette’s Pier, the event has grown into a well-run tournament. At exactly 8:00 a.m., anglers begin fishing from Jennette’s, Avalon, Nags Head, and Outer Banks Piers, with access provided at no cost by generous owners and operators. At noon, lines come out of the water, and everyone makes their way to Jennette’s Pier.

Inside the banquet hall, surrounded by sweeping views, Dave Masters Jr. served as Master of Ceremony. His father, Dave Masters Sr., held the Master of Ceremonies role for many years before him. Dave Masters Jr. described the responsibility as deeply rewarding during his NHSFC Board service and as an honor to continue his father’s example, especially with a front-row seat to so many happy young anglers. Photos of those children can be found on Facebook by searching Nags Head Youth Fishing Tournament.

Dave Masters, Master of Ceremony; Tony Garrett, Youth Tournament Director.

Q&A with Tony Garrett, Youth Tournament Director and NHSFC Member

To gather highlights, winner names, statistics, and details about the volunteer effort behind this popular event, I spoke with retired Kitty Hawk Police Department Lieutenant Tony Garrett. Tom Burke handed the role, along with a shoebox of old photos, to Tony 25 years ago. A lot has changed since then.

Is this the largest youth fishing tournament of its kind?

Tony Garrett says that, to his knowledge, this is the largest youth fishing tournament held on ocean piers. What makes it distinct is the presence of 4 piers within a 12-mile span: Avalon Pier, Nags Head Pier, Jennette’s Pier, and Outer Banks Pier.

How many children entered this year?

333 kids registered this year. In 2023, 241 registered, so participation increased significantly. Back in 2002, 1 year before Hurricane Isabel destroyed the Kitty Hawk Pier, approximately 500 kids took part. That remains the largest event to date.

Where are the youth anglers from?

The tournament welcomed 186 youth anglers from out-of-state and 147 local participants. Altogether, children came from 9 different states. For many out-of-state families, the event is built into their vacation plans.

Does registration cost anything?

No. Everything is provided free of charge, including T-shirts, Fishbite bait, and lunch, because of the many sponsors and volunteers supporting the event. The full Sponsor and Volunteer list appears below.

What rules do participants follow?

Yes. Along with giving families a morning of friendly competition, the tournament gives parents a chance to model honesty and good sportsmanship. A handout explains expectations so the event stays fair. The youth angler must do most of the work, including casting, hooking, and landing the fish. Others may assist with hook removal, but the child must take the fish to the scorekeeper.

What major changes have been made over the years?

Among the largest changes was the decision to split participants into 2 age divisions: 4- to 9-year-olds and 10- to 16-year-olds. Another change allowed children to win based on the largest of 12 species rather than only 1 overall largest fish. Later, the divisions were also separated into girls and boys, creating more award opportunities. The tournament still recognizes the largest game fish winner overall, who receives a special rod/reel and the largest trophy.

In 2012, all participating children began receiving free T-shirts. Around that period, food was added to the awards ceremony. The latest adjustment, meant to help restart the tournament after Covid, added cash inside tackle boxes, which has become extremely popular.

Which fish species count for scoring?

Fish caught from the piers fell into 2 categories: game fish and trash fish. Only game fish counted toward scoring. Scorable species included black and red drum, triggerfish or spadefish, speckled or gray trout, flounder, drum, sea mullet, croaker, spot, bluefish, pigfish, and Spanish mackerel. Skates, sting rays, and sharks were not scored.

Which fish were most active that day?

The tournament benefited from beautiful conditions, including favorable weather and tides, which brought in plenty of fish. Scorekeepers stayed busy throughout the morning.

What fish qualified as Exemplary/Outstanding Catch entries?

Several catches stood out in the Exemplary/Outstanding Catch category. Hayleigh Flowers caught a 30" Remora off Nags Head Pier, notable because remoras are usually found attached to larger animals such as sharks and whales. Chloe Artz landed a 15 Sheep’s Head. JP Gary caught an 8-3/4" Sand Perch from Jennette’s Pier. The full list of Winning Youth Anglers appears below.

What is the best part of the tournament?

For Tony Garrett, the best part is seeing the next generation of anglers smiling. At the awards ceremony, the children are thrilled as they hope for trophies, rod/reel combos, and door prizes.

For door prizes, the event offered 50 tackle boxes, each containing $10, $20, $50 or $100, with $1,500 total included. Names are drawn from a bucket, making the winners a matter of luck. Children light up when they open the boxes, while the audience cheers and young anglers high-five new friends.

Winners for largest fish by species, largest fish overall, and unusual or exemplary fish received one of 30 trophies and 30 rod/reel combos. Since it is all free, the value is hard to beat.

Still, the giveaways, trophies, and prizes are only part of what the children receive. Some young participants have never seen the ocean before. Others have never fished. The event creates an educational and fun experience that can ignite a lifelong connection to angling and to the Outer Banks. Families also bond while spending time in nature and the outdoors, building memories meant to last a lifetime.

When is the next tournament?

Next year’s tournament will be on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Participants are encouraged to bring a friend.

Winning Youth Anglers

4- to 9-Year-Old Age Group

Largest Fish – Female Angler

Largest Fish – Male Angler

Exemplary Catch

Winning Youth Anglers: 4- to 9-Year-Olds.

10- to 16-Year-Old Age Group

Largest Fish - Female Angler

Largest Fish – Male Angler

Exemplary Catch

Overall Winner

Winning Youth Anglers: 10- to 16-Year-Olds.

Sponsors

Sponsors, listed in alphabetical order:

Dominion Energy (Kitty Hawk) Volunteers.

Outer Banks Anglers Club Volunteers.

Volunteers

Volunteers, listed in alphabetical order:

Tournament Moments

Author

Denine Phillips is a retired technical writer with many published works. Ms. Phillips has also written 2 books: Don’t Give Up on That Dog, a popular photo journal about the lessons learned while raising a German Shepherd Dog, and Through the Magic Shed, A Grand Adventure Lies Ahead, an educational read-aloud book that takes children to 10 of America’s most iconic landmarks. She can be reached at denine.phillips@charter.net.

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