Fishing Hatteras and Ocracoke offers some wonderful options, from surf fishing the beaches to offshore trolling for blue marlin. Whether fishing from the beach, a skiff in the sound, or on an offshore charter, fishermen have a chance at a trophy fish and a memorable experience. Each fishing option guarantees beautiful scenery and the chance to explore the islands in a different way.
If you are fishing on your own, remember you'll need a North Carolina coastal recreational fishing license, available online at www.ncdmf.net/recreational/NCCRFL.htm, by phone at 800-682-2632, or at authorized local tackle shops. Piers and charter captains carry a blanket license for their operations, but if you are surf fishing or bringing your own boat you need the license. While you are getting your fishing license pick up a copy of the fish size regulations, so you know what you can keep for the cooler. Be sure to check with a local tackle shop, marina, or pier if you have questions regarding the license or regulations.
On offshore charters you may go trolling for yellowfin tuna, dolphin (mahi-mahi), wahoo, or king mackerel. You will get a great adrenaline rush from the sound of a buzzing reel and the excitement of the strike. Depending on the season, a blue or white marlin or sailfish may join the mix to generate spectacular photos with acrobatic jumps. Offshore charters also include captains that specialize in bottom fishing for snappers, grouper, triggers, or black sea bass near reefs or other structures. Large amberjack found cruising the upper water layers challenge strong anglers. I have always had the best results, and most fun, by listening to the suggestions of the charter captain for fish to target and by listening closely to the mate for fishing instructions. Talk with the marina or captain to match the trip to the experience you desire, whether it is a full-day offshore or a half day charter closer to the islands.
The Pamlico Sound, one of the largest estuarine systems in the world, separates Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands from the mainland. The Pamlico offers an almost limitless variety of fishing opportunities. Inshore fishing, whether from your own boat or on a charter, allows you to take advantage of the fish that come into the sound to feed and spawn. Flounder can be found by drifting minnows or bait strips along the edges of holes, channels, and inlets.
Gray trout might be caught on bright jigs or small bucktails tipped with bait in the deeper holes. Some fishermen target speckled trout and puppy drum in grass beds and around oyster bars close to deeper water, using grubs, lures, and bait. Large cobia are found in the inlets and around sea buoys in early summer, then channels later in the season. And small boat anglers are able to target big citation drum (over 40 inches) in the summer evenings by anchoring up near shoals in the sound. Anglers sight-cast to these big fish with large bucktails, or anchor and chuck large baits in likely areas. You can troll for Spanish mackerel and cast to feeding bluefish near the beaches and inlets during the summer. Spring, summer, or fall, you can create incredible fishing experiences from a small boat.
Surf fishing from late March through May can result in citation red drum when weather and fish cooperate, with those great fighting fish again returning to the beaches in the fall. You may be one of the lucky ones to land a cobia in late May and early June, as they come to the beaches near points and inlets. Big surf rods fished with large chunks of bait on fish-finder type rigs are usually required for these large drum and cobia of 30 to 100 pounds. Light tackle summertime favorites include early morning and late evening Spanish mackerel near points and inlets, and midday pompano found in the surf wash. You will catch Spanish using metal lures imitating silversides, and most pompano are caught with sand fleas or shrimp. Get the little kids busy helping by digging sand fleas in the wet sand. Bluefish hitting bait or lures provide fun action throughout the season, with the larger fish on the beach in spring and fall. Flounder, puppy drum, sea mullets, spots, croakers, black drum, and an occasional sheepshead round out some of the fish that can be found in the surf. Late summer or early fall brings the annual runs of finger mullet, and fall fishing really heats up as the weather cools. Peak fishing weeks are usually in October, when fishermen look for the return of the citation drum and other fish fattening up on schools of bait.
Look for structure, whether on the beach or on a boat. Piers provide great structure on the beach and make it easier for all fishermen to reach different surf zones. Four-wheel drive vehicles provide access to the best beach points, allowing anglers and vacationing families to bring their gear. Inshore fishermen can work the flats at high tide, find moving water during the falling tide, and concentrate on deeper holes at low tide. Offshore fishermen look for reefs, ledges, and water temperature breaks that may hold bait and the game fish that follow. All fish, regardless of location and species, are dependent on the tides, water temperatures, bait, and wind. Ask the local shops to help with the details.
Although I enjoy all types of fishing, I surf fish beaches the most. Whether I am enjoying the wonder of relaxing at water's edge or wading out to fish a surf-washed bar, I can take my time to stop and appreciate the always changing transition of land and sea. Sometimes, it is casual fun with the kids, and sometimes, I am alone looking for the next trophy. While surf fishing may not be the easiest way to start fishing with no experience, anyone with a little freshwater fishing experience can pick up the tactics quickly. If you want to fish the sound or ocean, there are charter captains for every fishermen, from those that have never cast a line to the most experienced angler. Regardless of what type of fishing you decide to enjoy during your stay, you will want to stop by the local tackle shops and marinas for the best advice on bait, tackle, and locations. Have fun fishing! |
