HATTERAS, NC — North Carolina’s competitive offshore season is officially underway following the successful launch of the 31st annual Hatteras Village Offshore Open, the first stop in the 2025 N.C. Billfish Series. The event drew 54 boats to the waters off Hatteras, all competing for a total purse of $400,775.
Leading the charge was Redemption, captained by Adam Pittman out of Atlantic Beach. The crew earned top honors in Level I with a commanding 2,400 release points, releasing six blue marlin over two fishing days. They released one blue on May 14, followed by an impressive five releases on May 15, securing a $43,350 payday and setting the early pace in the series standings.
The tournament’s heaviest payout went to Weldor’s Ark, helmed by Capt. Dale Britt out of Morehead City. The crew brought in a 584-pound blue marlin on May 16, earning $186,000 in total prize money. The fish was hooked at 8:23 a.m. and boated at 9:41 after a clean, hour-plus fight—solid execution by an experienced team.
In the gamefish divisions, Goombay (Atlantic Beach) cashed in $28,623.75 for a 67.10-pound wahoo and a 15.10-pound dolphin. Re-Leased, also from Atlantic Beach, notched 1,700 release points for $25,500. Sensation (Morehead City) weighed a 7.10-pound dolphin to claim $10,412.50, while Custom (Beaufort) took home $8,670 with a 54.80-pound wahoo.
Across the fleet, anglers logged a total of 63 billfish releases: 48 blue marlin, 11 white marlin, and four sailfish. The tournament format allowed teams to fish any three out of four days from May 14–17, providing some flexibility to work around weather and conditions.
Proceeds from the Hatteras Village Offshore Open go to the Hatteras Village Civic Association, which supports scholarships for local students and a range of community initiatives.
The series continues with the Swansboro Rotary Memorial Day Bluewater Tournament, Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament and then the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, set for June 7–16.
