Fishing The Outer Banks, Nc

[Felix77]

I am meeting up with friends out there in about a week. We intend to get in some time to fish the surf. Have never done this before. Any fishing tips. ..advice?

I picked up a 10 foot rod and rigged it with 65lb Power Pro. I have that going for me at least.

[Topwaterspook]

You may also want to consider an offshore trip. Fresh tuna is really a worthwhile quest. I'd surf fish down around the Oregon Inlet bridge. Just be careful that you park above the tideline.

[flyfisher]

I just put up a post about this same thing lol  I am trying to plan a trip though and don't have anything planned so i will be anxious to hear your reports.  

[Slade House]

I surf fish every day here in california cause i live 5 minutes from the ocean, but im from back east.  Nothing in the world works better for shore fishing than 2 inch GULP Sandworms in Camoflague or Blood Red colors carolina rigged with a size 4 Red Matzuo Baitholder hook.  

 

 

it has to be that exact red hook in that exact brand.  Gulp sandworms work better than bait or real sandworms /bloodworms.   See that attached picture on how to rig the sandworm (in the pic its the wrong color and wrong hook , but everything else is correct).   

 

 

 

 

 

I have caught multiple Halibut, Barred Surf Perch, Silver Perch, Sand Bass, Rock Bass, Shovelnose guitarfish (its a sharklike Ray) , Cabezon, White Croaker, Bonita, Mackeral , Corbina, Jack smelt , and White Seabass from the shore or rocks only using gulp sandworms and only in the past 16 months since i started surf fishing.   Don't know what it is about them but we call them "Perch Crack" out here.  If you want get a thing of "Hot sauce" fish attractant and that works great too.  dont need anything but those and your are good

 

[Felix77]

Thanks for the tip Slade House!!!! Definitely gonna try and get those items.

[Felix77]

I just put up a post about this same thing lol  I am trying to plan a trip though and don't have anything planned so i will be anxious to hear your reports.  

 

While I am down there I will gather all the intel I can and get back to you.  My friend who arranged the trip loves it out there so I am hoping to learn a ton.

[flyfisher]

While I am down there I will gather all the intel I can and get back to you.  My friend who arranged the trip loves it out there so I am hoping to learn a ton.

awesome that would be great.  From what i understand it can be difficult to find bait down there in the offseason but i guess that is why Gulp and fishbites are popular.

[Felix77]

awesome that would be great.  From what i understand it can be difficult to find bait down there in the offseason but i guess that is why Gulp and fishbites are popular.

I'm driving down ... there is a BassPro close to Virginia Beach from what I can tell en route.  Have to make a stop there

[flyfisher]

I'm driving down ... there is a BassPro close to Virginia Beach from what I can tell en route.  Have to make a stop there

I don't know if they sell bait, i know the one here in Ashland VA doesn't sell bait but they might down there.  

 

There are a ton of good bait shops down there though.  We usually stay near one called whalebone tackle right in Nags Head..

[Felix77]

I don't know if they sell bait, i know the one here in Ashland VA doesn't sell bait but they might down there.

There are a ton of good bait shops down there though. We usually stay near one called whalebone tackle right in Nags Head..

There are 2 close to where are staying. Sharkys and Bobs. Will hit those too

[Surfcaster]

TW's bait and tackle in Nags Head is a good store and they have fishing reports on their website.  Frank and Frans in Avon is a good store and they have fishing reports and beach access updates on their website.  You will need a Coastal fishing license and beach driving permit if you drive on the beach.   I have surf fished many times at the Oregon Inlet and Coquina Beach as well as down in the Rodanthe, Salvo and Buxton areas and if you can find a good hole in the beach you can catch fish there.  Also, I feel you can cast over the fish trying to cast as far as you can.  I like to have one or two 10' - 12' rods rods out far and one or two 7' - 9' rods in close in the surf.  I have been able to see my rig laying on the sand as the waves pulled out and have a drum hit it when a wave rolled in. 

[everythingthatswims]

Stop in VA Beach and catch some fiddler crabs or buy them from a bait shop (you can't get them in the outer banks and catching them is extremely tough because of how small the intertidal zones are). Go to the Oregon Inlet bridge catwalk and climb down onto the pilings. Should be plenty of sheepshead and tog (togs are completely unregulated in NC, so you won't be able to find them in the regulations, I had to talk to a game warden to figure that out) on the pilings. Take a junky MH baitcaster and a junky reel with 50lb braid, it's combat fishing.

 

Some people use a carolina rig but I prefer tying a dropper loop. 1/0 Gamakatsu octopus hooks, 50lb leader. If the water is clear and/or you aren't getting many bites, try 25lb leader but be prepared to lose some. The way I see it you have to get bit before you can lose a fish. 3 ouncer of lead it probably the least you can get away with, depending on the tide I have used up to 6 ounces. Fish right against the pilings (if you're further than 6" away you probably won't get bit). Bites are soft but you'll get the hang of it. You should see some other people doing it while you're there.

 

 

Wayyyyyyy more fun than watching a rod tip waiting for a drum IMO

[Felix77]

Just got back from the OBX.  Arrived last Saturday.  Sunday through Wednesday the fishing was fantastic.  Biting the double drop with mullet for bait on top, shrimp on bottom.  My big accomplishment was catching a keeper Red Drum.  My friend cooked it up for us and I must say that is was the best tasting fish I have EVER had.  Cooking it within an hour or 2 of catching it makes quite the difference.

 

A storm came through Wednesday evening with winds in excess of 20mph at times.  Totally killed the bite.

 

FWIW - I also caught my first red on artificials.  Gulp mullet dragging it back.  That was cool.

 

I think I found a new way to love fishing.