Manns Harbor

Fishing from Land on the OBX

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We are finally entering the official start of summer so it’s a good time to review some of the best places to fish from land.

The most frequently asked question by visiting anglers. Where can I go fishing while visiting the Northern Outer Banks? Well, here are some of the locals’ favorites.

Daniels Bridge – great bridge deck to fish from only the south side. Easy access, parking, restrooms, shaded area, fishing cleaning station. Good for crabbing. Look for channels and moving water. There is deep hole approximately one hundred fifty yards south of bridge. Long casts and covering more water increases catches.

Wildlife Pier / Baum Bridge – long dock that separates the Albermarle and Roanoke Sounds. Easy access, parking, portable restrooms, shaded certain times a day, benches. Fish the north and east sides of dock. Drag baits along the pilings and cast north into the slough / channel leading into the marina. Avoid the south side – rubble and snags from bridge construction.

Various boat ramps – Wildlife pier ramp (under Baum bridge) and Oregon Inlet (near Coast Guard Station) ramp as well as many other ramps that line the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds are good places to find many bottom fish. Long casts into the sound and slow retrievals into the ramp holes increase catches. Watch to boats being launched and loaded.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center – south point on east side of basin. Good wade fishing and crabbing Watch for waves from boats and deep holes while wading. Parking is good at marina. Restroom facilities are fishing center.

Mid Island – Various dune cross-overs. KH, KDH and NH have dozens of dune break for immediate access to the surf. Some areas require a long walk. Some areas have adequate parking, potable toilets, and stairs and ramps. Fish the moving tides and focus on the close in sloughs.

North Island and Corolla Beaches – most of this area is a 4-wheel access. A great location during the entire year. Permits are required during the summer months.

BeBop Pier – west end on Mann’s Harbor Bridge. Easy access, limited parking, shaded area with benches.  North side is good for shallow fishing. East and south are adjacent to bridge. Long casts toward bridge into slough increases chances. Lots of crabs and mosquitoes during the summer.

Bodie Island Slough – west end of parking area at the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Long walk through gate at end of circle along a dirt road. Minimal parking. No restrooms adjacent to fishing area. Once at slough, good fishing to the north or around any structure. Lots of crabs and mosquitoes most of the year.

Pamlico Sound / Hatteras Island Sound fronts – many pull offs along the entire coast with direct access to shallow water. No facilities. Park parking permits may be needed if off pavement.

Bonner Bridge Pier – this a new pier at an old location. Located on the south end of the new Basnight Bridge. Extends into the Oregon Inlet channel. Need a license to fish here.

Obviously, there are dozens more but these are my favorites. We haven’t included the piers because they are a given. These are the special spots. Piers will be discussed during another post. Remember – anglers will need a license to fish any of these spots.

Until Next Time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Not So Secret Now

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The Bebop Public Multi-purpose pier is sometimes referred to as the “not so secret anymore ” fishing spot. The two hundred foot pier is located at the west span of the William Umstead bridge and sits between the Albermarle Sound to the north and Croatan Sound to the south. The water in this area is on the saltier side of brackish so it can hold many species of both saltwater and freshwater fish. Although this area is not affected by tidal action, vast water surfaces surrounding this pier allow for wind and fast currents to pass around this structure.

Bebop Public Multi-use Pier

This pier was originally the site of an old dock and worn shoreline. It is surrounded by many submerged pilings and cypress knees. Caution should be taken when fishing and casting in these areas to avoid getting snagged. Although many hazards exist, anglers can find productive and snag free spots.

The pier area has ample parking leading to a low-sloped ramp easily accessible for those with limited mobility. Benches, a covered pavilion and many modified railings are designed for easy casting for young and older anglers.

In the warmer months, anglers can find puppy drum, sheepshead and many types of other saltwater bottom fish around the pilings and close to the sandy shoreline. Striped Bass typically show up in the early fall and can be caught by using noisy lures and long casts toward the bridge.

Light to medium should be the gear of choice and should handle most species found at this pier. Either braided or monofiliment lines work fine but either must be tipped with a fluorocarbon leader. Successful anglers should leave their heavy gear in their vehicles.

The best rigging option is a standard double drop rig with either “J” or circle hooks. Another type is a standard Carolina rig with a sliding sinker. Popping corks have been used here but typically not as successful as rigs that place baits near the bottom. To ensure more stealth, metal or shiny rigging components should be kept at a minimum.

Finally, another productive method is using topwater lures or lead head jig with a scented plastic bait. Casting and retrieving should be varied to mimic an injured fish. Strikes occur on the fall or stall phase.

Like the other rigging components, hook size is determined by the type of bait you plan to use. Large hooks and small baits don’t always catch fish – they sometimes spook them from taking the bait. Select your hook size consistent with baits.

Fresh shrimp or cut bait work best at this pier. Never use yesterday’s bait today. Bring plenty because you will share most of it between the crabs and small bait fish. 

At first look, anglers may think this little pier has nothing to offer. But the proximity to both the shore line and the Umstead bridge gives the angler several different opportunities. 

Purple martins call this area home for several months a year, mosquitoes can ruin anyone’s day quickly and crabs can empty your bait supply quickly. So before you go, prepare accordingly.

This pier may appear small but it can make big memories.

Until next time – Tightlines Capt. Tony