Any Outer Banks recommendations?

[Mr Maj]

I will be down in the outer banks (Corolla/Duck area) in early July and was looking to do a charter trip (ideally for dolphin and/or tuna). As i haven't been down there before I would love some recommendations or boats if you have had any good trips.

also any thoughts on surf fishing and what typically gets caught off the beaches that time of year would be helpful too.

In advance, thanks.

JM

[jsurmick]

I recommend boats out of Pirates Cove in Manteo. I have fished on the Carley A, the skipper is from Jersey. Also try the Bi-Op-Sea. You can sign up for Make up charters if you are by yourself.

You might also want to try the Fishing Center at Oregon Inlet. There is a fleet of boats there with make up charters there as well.

The Duck and Corolla areas are nice. Kind of laid back. It's a little bit of a drive down to the Oregon Inlet.

Check out a place called Tim Buck Too. There is an awesome bar / restaurant in that complex (sorry I don't remember the name).

I have never surf fished there. But there is an enormous part of the Outer Banks north of Duck that have miles and miles of beach you can drive on. Just remember to reduce the air pressure in your tires. They have free air stations when you return to the blacktop.

[Fishin Polski]

I was down there a long time ago and I towed my boat down. I stopped at kitty hawk bait and tackle for bait and they laughed at me. They said where you from and I said jersey and they said that figures we troll down here. So off we went to the inlet fishing center at Oregon. I went in to pay for the launch and they laughed at me again and they said where you from and I said jersey and they said that figures, it's free to launch here go catch some fish! My nephew and I put the boat in (21' Starcraft aluminum center console)and off we went out the inlet. We started to troll and all we caught were tiny Spanish macs, so we kept a couple for bait and set up for fluking. First drift by the surf I get a huge bite and it's rippin line like a bluefish and I get bit off. Then I rigged a wire leader and drop back down to the bottom and WHAM another ripping bite and run. About ten minutes later I get it near the boat and It's a big jack cravelle. We killed it and took it back to the bait shop and weighed it and the same guy that told me to troll could not believe that I caught it on cut bait. I don't remember the weight but he said I was 1.5 lbs. short of the state record. That was fun and I was never able to get back there again. I did tour the buddy Davis factory when I was there and I'm still dreaming about it. Have fun and good luck.

[Peterooster]

If they know you are an out of towner the locals will tell you some really crazy stuff, I had to laugh at some of it. Pete

[cfish71]

At Pirates Cove Marina the Obsession and Country Girl are 2 top boats/capts. there. The C.Girl also does a party boat trip w/ 26 peeps for tilefish. PC also does make up trips. At Oregon Inlet the Bi Op Sea would be my choice. I have fished w/ all of these boats and have never been disappointed.

A must stop is a local hangout called Tortugas'Lie. Great fish tacos . Loud but very good. Fishbones Bar is on a fishing pier in Nags Head. Great place for Happy Hour. Be there @4 . 10 cent shrimp and tons of cold beer. Sam & Omies has been there since 1930's. A classic place and another local hangout. Hope you have a great vacation. Boats come in @ 5 in the afternoon at PC.

You are in a very nice area but quite far from the marinas. It will take you 45 mins to an hour to get down to the Nags Head area.

[O'Connor]

Out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center you can't go wrong with the Bi-Op-Sea or the Pelican. My dad and I caught a bunch of white marlin and dolphin on the bi op sea two summers ago. Great captain and mate and the boat is unbelievable.

We stayed in Duck for three years. Cool little town.....at dusk paddle out a whole mullet around 200 yards. Spike the rod and wait....it won't be long... area is absolutely loaded with dusky and sand tiger sharks.

[hammer4reel]

DREAMGIRL Oregon Inlet fishing center.
Guys are hard core fisherman.

[Papasown]

If you will be in Duck and want Tuna, wahoo, Dolphin, and billfish, get on a charter out of Oregan Inlet. My choice ( which is a ride from Duck/Carolla is Hatteras. But we stay in the village and live the life when we get down there...

[AVA67]

Another vote for either either the Pelican or the Bi-op-sea. Boats and crews are a little different from one another, but both top notch. Jesse on the Bi-op-sea has a little newer equipment and boat, but Arch on the Pelican is/should be considered one of the most experienced captains in the area. Both boats take great care of their clients and tackle.

One thing I would recommend would be to call around now, talk to a couple different captains, see who you feel comfortable with, then try to book a trip early in the week either Monday or Tuesday of your week, this will give you a chance to still rebook with a boat for later in the week (but probably not the boat you originally booked).

Most of the boats out of Oregon Inlet will give you a good day on the water, but there is a reason some are already booked up for 3/4 of their summer dates, and some only a few.

[O'Connor]

One thing to watch out for is the difference in how these captains run their boats vs other areas. Oregon Inlet is the only place I've fished where they absolutely open the boats up to and from the grounds...I mean you're flying...lines up and pin it. Also when they approach their slip and make the turn hang on....for whatever reason they absolutely fly in reverse all the way into the slip. All the boats do it....no current to speak of back there so I do not think there is a real reason its done....I guess its the marinas calling card. Pretty cool.

[Grateful Dad]

For fishing in the surf, get yourself a bag of Fish Bites bloodworms, and knock yourself out. You'll get tons of spot, croakers, kingfish and baby black drum, with an occasional pompano, right in the wash or at the 1st breaker. Decent fun on light tackle.

[Super]

I’m always down there fishing. Here are my top three:

1 – Get an ocean kayak and a cheap rod with a kroc and catch Spanish Mackerel or bluefish while chase the bunker schools.

2 – Fishing piers are a lot of fun. Never know what you’re going to catch. I’ve seen everything from small fish to cobia and tuna.

3 – Take the offshore trip on the Miss Hatteras. Wait for a calm day. It’s a bit of a drive and $120 but I’ve never not done well. if you're going to do this PM me and I'll give you tips on catching the big ones.

Oregon Inlet has nice charter boats but I'm not impressed with their summer catch. Usually small dolphin on 9/0 rods. Not my idea of a great $1,500 trip so wait until fall. And the head boats there stay in the bay and catch dinks.

[nmc02]

A-salt-weapon....capt is nj born and amoungst the best there

[O'Connor]

I’m always down there fishing. Here are my top three:

1 – Get an ocean kayak and a cheap rod with a kroc and catch Spanish Mackerel or bluefish while chase the bunker schools.

2 – Fishing piers are a lot of fun. Never know what you’re going to catch. I’ve seen everything from small fish to cobia and tuna.

3 – Take the offshore trip on the Miss Hatteras. Wait for a calm day. It’s a bit of a drive and $120 but I’ve never not done well. if you're going to do this PM me and I'll give you tips on catching the big ones.

Oregon Inlet has nice charter boats but I'm not impressed with their summer catch. Usually small dolphin on 9/0 rods. Not my idea of a great $1,500 trip so wait until fall. And the head boats there stay in the bay and catch dinks.


another few hundred and your fishing tuna, marlin etc. they also have amberjack trips for under a grand on the charter boats. live bluefish down 100 feet and hold on for dear life.

Your comment reminded me of what my friend out here in so cal said about NJ fishing after I told him where to go and what boats to fish on one summer. he was in monmouth county for a week in july...went on head boats twice....i asked him what he thought....he said it sucked....the first day we were fishing for these 2 lb fish that look like tilapia(black sea bass) the second day we went out for tiny halibut(fluke). lol. :D

[Mr Maj]

Thanks for all the thoughts. Looking forward to the trip now more than ever.

JM

[RBC67]

Sea Creature