Virginia Beach - Northern Outerbanks

[ChaosStarter]

Hey guys, figured I'd probably get a response in here. I'm leaving tomorrow for the northern Outer Banks for a week. Would like to do some fishing while I'm there. I'll be staying in the Corolla section.

I was thinking about just fishing from the beach/jetties, but I'm not even sure what's running down there. I heard there are bluefish but I wasn't sure, plus I really don't have a beach rod.

The other thing I was thinking of was hitting a head boat (can't afford charter) for Sea Bass (season closes the 21st down there) or something else.

Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[LotsobitesBB]

I was there a month ago. Surf is a little slow then. I think it starts up now.

Small pieces of blood worms will catch spot, croakers, kingfish.
Cut bait could get red drum and bluefish. Spanish could be in the surf too. www.twstackle.com has daily reports and can tell you when you get in town.

As far as head boats, I only know the one at the Oregon Inlet fishing center. I think they stay a little closer then sea Bass range but you can call. Website below. I strongly suggest an offshore trip. My sure if in your cost limitations you were talking about a boat yourself. The fishing center puts charters together from random groups (make up charter) $310/person (assuming 6) plus tip. I have done the last three years. Tuna (yellow and black fin and occasional bigeye), mahi, wahoo, billfish. This year we had 11 blackfin, one yellow fin, abt 30 mahi and three sharks (one on the troll, one ate a tuna and one exploded on a spreader bar). Saw Whales, dolphins, etc. Only 30-40 miles from shore.

www.oregon-inlet.com

Hope this helps.
PS when in Corolla, find duck donuts, you will thank me.

[shrimpman steve]

If you want to take the ride to hatteras there is a head boat down there. The miss hatteras. Also if you've never been there it's nice to take a ferry ride to ocracoke island. Black beards home base.

[O'Connor]

I vacationed in Duck, NC from 8/23-9/7

Fishing- unless you are going to wade to the bar, Cast short, cast short, cast short!. Sand bar where we stayed was about 30 yards off the beach and was very wide.. Slough between the beach and the bar had nice depth @ the top four hours of the tide, probably 8 feet or so. Low water depending where you crossed over it went from 3-6 feet. The bar along our stretch was shin to thigh deep during the bottom of the tide. We had a few red drum in the 4-8 lb class off the beach. They bit best on a north east wind on an incoming tide at dusk or night. all were caught 40 feet off the beach with a chunk of fresh mullet. wading out to the bar and fishing the outside is also a possibility during low water. I did not spend much time doing this as I was in family mode. I also hooked what I can only assume was a shark. smoking hit and double my chunking rod over. short lived as leader came back bitten off. there are no bluefish around there this time of year to drop my chuck rod like that and take line off a van stall 250.


oregon inlet has all the tuna/marlin boats. all battle wagons real cool marina. very good offshore fishing down there. dad and I went inshore for amberjack. you troll small 1-2 lb bluefish along the beach, throw them in a live well and bring them to wrecks 15 miles or so off the beach. within thirty seconds of dropping them down 60 feet over wreck your rod doubles over. they fight really good. a 40 lber is a tough customer.

jennettes pier in nags head is really cool as well. people are fishing king mackerel , cobia and drum off the front. saw sea turtles, and huge 8 foot wide sting rays around the pier. grab a burger and a cold beer @ sam and omies across from pier tons of outer banks fishing history there.... pictures on the wall etc.

tackle shops...tw's in corolla is good. bobs bait and tackle in duck is a good shop for bait and info. you will se a big pink shark out front on your way to corolla.

for family stuff if you are bringing them....horse tour in corolla is cool. we went on the wild horse adventure..they bring you on the beach in a humvee. my daughter loved it. aqua restaurant in duck was the best dining we had. very nice staff, good food, great view. sunset bar and grill in Duck is a hell of a party. order a grateful dead drink...it will burn the enamel off your teeth!

outer banks is a very cool place. ..... we will be back next year. enjoy!

[MVP]

OConnor,

That was a great write up. Thanks for taking the time to write up a very informative reply to fellow fisherman

[Grateful Dad]

I'll be down there in Corolla from 9/21-10/3. I think the surf is holding some smaller stuff right now, like spot, croakers and what they call "sea mullet", what we call kingfish. I'm taking an inshore charter with Beach Bum charters, the red drum are in pretty thick in the bay and inlet.
Good luck and enjoy your stay down there.