Outer Banks Fishing

Visitors to the Outer Banks must not miss the chance to enjoy world-class fishing, taking advantage of the unique environment surrounding all the communities in Dare County, along with other watersports and the most unique marine recreational activities on the Atlantic Coast.

The Outer Banks offers a diversity of fishing from fresh and salt water fish available within the area, but also many miles of open water, both deep and shallow to collect shells, crabs, or go sailing, windsurfing or practice water skiing. The best fishing begins in the late spring and fall when water temperatures range from warm to moderate.

During those seasons, most fish move through the area on a regular yearly migration patterns, providing to residents and visitors an astounding mixture of tropical and cold-water species. Because of this diversity, the area received the name of "Gamefish Junction" many years ago. Today, the Outer Banks is still one of the most well-known and attractive areas in the United States for anglers coming from around the world.

Early during spring, weather is warm during the day, but still chilly at night, so many small size stripers are caught around different bridges, including the bridge pilings at Manns Harbor. During those days, big ocean size stripers are moving on and becoming hard to find. When the water is clear, fishing enthusiasts may expect trout, bluefish, blowtoads and flounder.

In muddy waters, it is more likely to expect sea puppy drum, mullet, spot, and croakers. Fresh water in Currituck Sound, Kitty Hawk Bay, and other ponds along the banks has provided excellent largemouth bass fishing for many years. Big red drum has been caught at False Point at Hatteras, Cape Point in Buxton, and South Point at Ocracok.

The Outer Banks Fishing Report as of January through April 2006 includes the following areas among those with the best fishing:

Oi Catwalk
Southern Shores
Outer Banks/Boat
Manns Harbor Bridge
Coquino Beach to Oregon Inlet
Off Of Duck Reserch Pier
Rough Seas
Ocracoke. Hatteras
North Of Currituck Beach Light
Atlantic Ocean/Boat
Oregon Inlet to Wright Brother's Monument
Ocean Off Jockey's Ridge
Jockeys Ridge
Kitty Hawk Surf
Oregon Inlet and Manns Harbor
Out Of Oregon Inlet
Trailer To Virginia
The Hook
Buxton
Coquina-Buxton
Kill Devil Hills
Manns Harbor Bridge
Hatteras Offshore
Virginia Beach
Kitty Hawk Beach Road
Cape Henry
The Point, Hatteras
Fished Bonner Bridge
Avon
Southern Shores
Bodie Light and Pirates Cove Bridge
Avon Pier
Hatteras Tip And Cape Point
South Of Nags Head Pier

There are half-day charter trips running to the vicinity of either Hatteras or Oregon Inlet that produce good catches of blues and Spanish mackerel on a regular basis, or full day trips heading east to the deeper waters of the Gulf Stream on the edge of the Continental Shelf, where tuna, marlin and dolphin are the usual catches.

Anglers fishing from ocean piers obtain good catches of smaller fish, including spot and bluefish, however, the cooler months are best to catch king mackerel, jumbo bluefish, and channel bass, coming inshore and landed by pier jockeys. In fact, pier fishing is very popular along the Outer Banks, and there are seven piers between Duck and Hatteras.

Visitors who prefer smaller pan fish should obtain a North Carolina's fishing license first. Going to the salt and brackish water of lower Croatan, Pamlico, and Currituck sounds, a variety of fish from trout to spot is found during the hot summer months. In most locations, boats rental and chartered boats are available, ranging from small skiffs to head boats carrying as many as 60 people.

Fishing trips are four hours in length on average, and most provide guidance for angles or family groups wanting to share this exciting activity. However, the most increasing activity in the region is surf fishing; The Outer Banks are excellent to practice most water sports. Surfing has been for long time the most popular activity along the 100 miles of coastline; while kayaking and canoeing are gaining popularity.

In addition to amateur fishing and the virtually unlimited fishing area, the up-close look at the Atlantic Ocean is also the scenery of several professional fishing tournaments held in different communities throughout the year including:

SportCast USA World Championship Red Drum Tournament
World Championship Surf and Shore Anglers Tournament
Manteo Rotary Rockfish Rodeo
King Of The Cape Classic
The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament
Atlantic Beach King Mackerel Tournament
Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament
Wrightsville Beach King Mackerel Tournament
Pirate's Cove Tournaments
Teach's Lair Tournaments
4-Plus / Capitol City Surf Fishing Tournaments
Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Surf Fishing Tournaments
Hatteras Village Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament
Wheel's Reels Striper Showdown
Kitty Hawk Rotary Rockfish World Championship
Hatteras Village Offshore Open
NCDMF Saltwater Fishing Tournaments List
Fishing Works NC Fishing Tournaments List
Greater Wilmington King Mackerel Tournament
U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament

Fishing Charters Carolina Beach Topsail Fishing Charters