Bodacious Babes battle for surf fishing supremacy

The Bodacious Babes are back! Formed in 2006 by Janye Woolridge Loesch and her twin sister Jan Woolridge, this ladies-only surf fishing tournament returned to Nags Head Fishing Pier after a nine-year hiatus.

One of seven oceanfront piers dotting the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the Nags Head Fishing Pier has served the fishing and dining needs of locals and visitors for over 60 years. Steeped in history, there could be no better meeting place for this one-of-a-kind tournament, which benefited the Asheville, North Carolina, Humane Society, where residents and pets are still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Eager Anglers Gather at Dawn

The 6:30 a.m. kick-off meeting was at Captain Andy’s Tiki Bar and Grill, where 25 women anglers were ready and raring to go. After greeting my friends from the Stormy Gales Surf Fishing Team, I paid the $80 entry fee and claimed my bag of swag. Soon thereafter, Beth Penner, event organizer, climbed atop a bar chair and commanded everyone’s attention.

Autumn Caswell & Bonnie Dickson, Blackbeard Babes Teammates

Beth wears many hats, and wears them well. She handles the pier’s back office duties and is also a member of the Blackbeard Babes Surf Fishing Team. All members of that team were in attendance, and each angler helped Beth on her maiden “tournament” voyage.

Over the next 10 minutes, she explained where we would be fishing – off the Conch Street beach access ramp – introduced the judges, and covered session times. For rules, they were included in our bag of goodies and essentially followed other tournament rules (posted on the Nags Head Fishing Pier Facebook page). What I wanted to know was the minimum fish length, 11”. Anything smaller is not scorable. And like other tournaments, it’s catch-and-release; all fish are released alive.

The Journey Begins

In short order, we were in our 4-wheel drive vehicles headed to the ramp; I aired down my Jeep tires to 18psi the night before, and just had to remember to switch into 4WD before hitting the sand.

As I cruised along the seaweed-covered beach, I was delighted to see a relatively calm ocean. Earlier in the week, Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda passed by the Outer Banks; this was the first day that the surf was manageable.

As I approached the end marker of our designated fishing area, I parked well away from the wash. I had been told not to park on the dunes. I responded: “I was born in the morning, but not yesterday morning.” We laughed. I’m well aware of the importance of protecting the dunes.

Reading the Beach – Half the Battle

The day before the tournament, my husband and I scoped out the beach in an attempt to identify holes, troughs, rip tides, and water patterns. In these structures and areas, fish seek: 1) cover from predators, 2) concentrated food sources, and 3) less current. If you think like a fish, a deep section of sand that runs parallel to the beach, called a trough or slough, is where tides unearth sand fleas. This bodes well for women anglers, who often can’t cast beyond the breakers. There can be plenty of fish close to shore. In 2023, during the Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament, when bottom fishing was unproductive, I switched to jigging with an artificial grub that imitated a bait fish. Landed a large puppy drum; he hit only 20 feet from the shoreline.

When surf fishing, understanding tides and water patterns can help your odds of landing fish. It’s also important to know how to dress. The morning temps were a bit chilly, so I had to switch from shorts to thermal fishing pants. I later regretted that move, as the heavy, waterlogged pants slowed me down. In surf fishing, it’s all about the hustle. One line has to be in the water at all times…dragging myself through the wash to cast was challenging. I resolved that problem during the lunch break.

Nicole Ballard casting through wind and wave

The strong wave action and water color looked perfect for drum – red or puppy drum, the latter being a juvenile red drum. I’m told that they like angry oceans and coffee-colored water. Low tide, at 11:51 a.m., could be to our advantage as well. One experienced angler said the morning session would likely yield more fish, as they are still “hanging around” after the 5:49 a.m. high tide.

Much has been written about tides and surf fishing. I’ve fished high tides, low tides, and everything in between. I’ve found that any time is a good time to fish, regardless of tides. The time of day is different, with early morning and late-day fishing being optimal.

Rods Prepped, Secret Weapons on Ice

At 8:00 a.m., sharp, I cast my fish finder rig, the preferred drum rig. It has a large circle hook and a weight that slides up and down the braided line. I used a chunk of fresh mullet, hoping that would do the trick. After 15 minutes without a nibble, I switched to my usual double-drop rig. It had a smaller hook on the top and a larger one at the bottom. For bait, I used bloodworm and fresh shrimp. Initially, not knowing how strong the current would be, I chose a 4-ounce weight. I gradually moved up to 6 ounces. After that, a Sputnik would be needed. Surrounded by metal prongs that sink in the sand, Sputniks are notoriously difficult to reel in.

As I’m periodically turning my attention to other anglers, I’m not seeing any action. Good time to bait my second pole. Only one pole can be in the water at any given time. I slipped up once, while admiring a gorgeous Bernese Mountain Dog. I quickly realized my mistake and reeled in my line. If a fish had been on, I don’t believe it would have counted. Won’t make that mistake again.

Clearly, when I’m enjoying dog-watching, there’s time to switch things up. On average, I’ll change bait every 10 to 15 minutes. Decades ago, my Stormy Gales surf fishing team captain, Shirley Lutz, was told by a local legend that “fish don’t like soggy bait, so change it often.” I heeded that advice and kept four bait types ready to go – bloodworm, shrimp, mullet, and squid. I’ll also add artificial bloodworm to secure the shrimp. Otherwise, a strong cast would send the bait flying.

Reeling in the Fun

While baiting a hook with bloodworm isn’t pleasant, it did yield my first fish, a sea mullet. Measuring exactly 11”, I earned one point. Within the next two hours, I caught two larger mullets, both on shrimp. It was then quiet, so in a last-ditch effort to land another fish, I took the last 15 minutes of the morning session to jig, using a bright pink, metal lure that I could sling against a brisk easterly wind. Despite the effort, I came up empty-handed. I went into the lunch break with five points and encouraged. Our station judge, Spike, congratulated me on my tally. But anything could happen in the afternoon session.

Lines were back in the water at 1:00 p.m. sharp. Over the next two hours, it was a constant battle with seaweed. Once attached to your line, the weight (and bait) gets dragged down the beach. I still resisted the Sputnik, so I dealt with repeatedly casting to maintain any control. In that short period of time, two hours, I had only one hit – and no luck. Five points total. Would it be enough?

Retreating from the Battlefield

All lines were in at 3:00 p.m. How time flies! Until 5:00 p.m., and the BBQ dinner, there was just enough time to drive home, shower, and return. Surf fishing is a messy business, so that time was much appreciated. Once home, I received a text message from the head judge that I’d come in third place. Miracles do happen!

Tales from the Front Line

Back at the bustling bar, we shared our fish stories while enjoying a delicious dinner (donated by Captain Andy McCann, pier owner). I chatted with one Blackbeard Babes angler that I had met at the 2023 Nags Head Surf Fishing Tournament. Unbeknownst to me, she was fishing to my right and wondering why she wasn’t catching anything. She asked her Blackbeard Babes captain, Dorinda Franklin, if she could ask me about the bait I was using. In team surf fishing, you share your secrets with teammates, but this was an individual event, where sharing isn’t customary. We had a good laugh. And now, as she reads this, my secrets are hers.

Awards Ceremony, a Tidal Wave of Teamwork

Beth handled the awards ceremony like a seasoned pro, with Bonnie Dickson handling raffle and 50/50 duties. Dave Masters captured Kodak moments with his cell phone and assisted in prize distribution. Dave is president of the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club and a member of the Sandbar Anglers team. He also presides over the annual Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Fishing Tournament. As head judge for Bodacious Babes, Dave traversed the beach in his Ford F-150, checked in on everyone. All station judges were at the ready, measuring fish so anglers could quickly slip their catch back into the sea.

What truly made this tournament a success was the incredible generosity of the many sponsors, donors, and volunteers – including the dedicated staff at Captain Andy’s Bar & Grill. The sheer volume of giveaways, raffle prizes, and door prizes rivaled those of some of the biggest surf fishing tournaments I’ve had the privilege to attend – and write about. Everyone went home with something in hand and a smile on their face.

Keeping the Tradition Alive

One highlight of the ceremony was Dorinda Franklin pausing to thank Beth and presenting her with a beautiful autumn bouquet. Dorinda emphasized the importance of keeping this tournament alive, an event that brings women together in a spirit of fun and camaraderie. Surrounded by the beauty of the sand and surf, we connected with old friends, made new friends, and returned home with stories to tell.

The Bodacious Babes Fishing Tournament stands out because it’s exclusively for women…and any woman can participate. If you’re interested in joining next year’s event, be sure to follow the Nags Head Fishing Pier Facebook page for updates, with details coming in early September 2026. Additionally, Beth is seeking recommendations for Outer Banks charities that could benefit from the event. If you have any suggestions, you can reach her at 540-222-7918.

Come One, Come All

Lastly, if you’ve never tried surf fishing before, don’t worry. It’s easier to get started than you might think. A local bait and tackle shop is a great place to begin; they often know experienced anglers who offer instruction. And don’t forget YouTube. I’ve picked up great surf fishing tips and tricks there myself. Beth also shared a helpful idea: rig a rod with a 2- or 3-ounce weight (no hook) and head to a wide-open space, maybe your backyard or a park. With a little practice, you’ll be casting with confidence. Hope to see you in 2026!

Tournament Winners

L-R: First Place – Ashley Barnes, 10 points; Second Place – Susan Gilliam, 6 points; Third Place – Denine Phillips, 5 points; Third Place (runner up*) – Trisa Bonday, 5 points; Largest Scoring Fish – Joanne Torrence, 13-1/4” Blue Fish
*Tie goes to the angler with the most fish caught.

Host/Sponsor: Nags Head Fishing Pier, Captain Andy’s Tiki Bar and Grill

Volunteers: Judges -Dave Masters (Head Judge), Warren Kennedy, Jerry Shepard, Chris (Spike) Stevenson; Members of the Blackbeard Babes Women’s Surf Fishing Team:Dorinda Franklin (Team Captain), Nicole Ballard, Dee Burritt, Autumn Caswell, Bonnie Megginson Dickson, and Beth Penner

Donors (winner prizes):

Bob’s Bait & Tackle – Duck, Hollenbach’s Tide Chasers Bait & Tackle, Manteo Marine, Oceans East Bait & Tackle – Nags Head, TW’s Bait & Tackle – Nags Head

Donors (raffle/door prizes)

Artsy Octopus, Bonnie Megginson Dickson, Cobia Killer Charter, Country Deli, Dirty Dick’s Crab House, Dorinda Franklin, Farmer’s Daughter, Golf Stream Gifts, Kill Devil Designs, Nags Head Hammocks, OBX Bloody Mary Company, Pigman Bar-B-Que, Sam & Omie’s Restaurant, Sea Hag Charters, Sea Isle Gifts, Surf’s Up Seafood Market, Ten O Six Deli, Thai Room Restaurant, The Saltbox Café, TRIO Restaurant & Market

Artists: Dee Berritt, Missy Clark, Laja Caswell, Missy Watts Rodriquez

Denine Phillips is a retired technical writer and author of two books: Don’t Give Up on That Dog, a popular photo journal that chronicles the many lessons learned while raising a German Shepherd Dog, and Through the Magic Shed, A Grand Adventure Lies Ahead, an educational, read-aloud book that transports youngsters to 10 of America’s most iconic landmarks.

Denine is also a surf fishing enthusiast with a strong track record in tournaments. Since 2022, she and her teammates have reeled in three wins. So, if your East Coast surf fishing team is looking for a reliable alternate, good mojo, and positive press, she’s ready to join the lineup. Reach out to her at denine.phillips@charter.net.

Past Surf Fishing Articles