Outer Banks

Outer Banks Atlantic Ocean Piers

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Time to talk piers.  Most anglers are familiar with fishing piers but sometimes don’t know what to expect. Here is a list of the ocean fishing piers that are most frequently visited. From north to south.

Kitty Hawk pier / Hilton Garden Inn.

MP 1 – on the Beach Road

Kitty Hawk, NC

(252) 261-1290

Built in 1953 and is 245 feet long

This pier is a private / public pier designed primarily for guests of the Hilton but daily and annual passes are available. Limited tackle shop and equipment rentals.

Avalon Fishing Pier

MP 6 on the Beach Road

Kill Devil Hills, NC

(252) 441-7494

This pier was built in 1958 and is 420 feet long and is a locals favorite. Full service tackle shop, equipment rentals, bar and carry out food and snacks. Live music most nights and family fun arcade.

Avalon Fishing Pier

Nags Head Fishing Pier

MP 12 on the Beach Road

Nags Head, NC

(252) 242-5071

This pier was built in 1947 and is 850 feet long and the oldest pier on the Outer Banks. Full service tackle shop, equipment rentals, a full restaurant with live music several nights weekly.

Jennette’s Fishing Pier

MP 16.5 on the Beach Road

Nags Head, NC

(252) 255-1501

This pier was originally built in 1939, modified in 1947 and again in 2011 and is 1,000 feet long. The pier is part of the NC Aquarium. Tackle shop, equipment rentals, gift shop, beverages and limited food and snacks for sale. They hold assorted camp programs and educational marine and fishing programs.

Outer Banks Fishing Pier

MP 18.5 on the Beach Road

Nags Head, NC

(252) 441-5740

This pier was built in 1958 and is 600 feet long and a special place for many old-school anglers. Full service tackle shop, equipment rental, full bar and sit down restaurant. Live music most nights.

Rodanthe Fishing pier

24251 Atlantic Dr.

Rodanthe, NC

(252) 987-0030

This pier was built in 1960 and is 700 feet long. It was originally 1000 feet long and was known as the Cape Hatteras Pier before many storms helped shorten it. Full service tackle shop, limited food and beverage service. Live music most nights.

Avon Fishing Pier

41001 NC Highway 12

Avon, NC

(252) 995-5480

This pier was built in 1963 and is 630 feet long. This pier is owned by the National Park Service and was originally 1000 feet long and shortened due to many storms. Full service tackle shop, equipment rentals and gift shop.

Until next time – Tightlines

Capt Tony

The Little Bridge

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The Melvin R. Daniels Bridge is one of the area’s favorite places to fish on the Outer Banks. Better known as the “little bridge”, it was once one of the local’s best kept secrets. But with its central location, easy access, amenities and abundance of action most of the year, this bridge is now known as one of the best places to catch fish.

The Daniels Bridge is located in the town of Nags Head on Rt. 64/264 Manteo Causeway just west of Whalebone Junction. The concrete structure is easily accessible to a guarded walkway on the south side of the bridge. A five foot concrete barrier on the south side provides protection from wind and traffic. The north side was closed last year due to pedestrian safety issues.

The parking lot on the west side of the bridge can accommodate dozens of vehicles.  And adjacent to the parking area, visitors will find a nice picnic area, covered pavilion and modern restroom facilities. There is also a fish cleaning table and running water as an added convenience.

When fishing this bridge, most anglers will start on the west side and work their way along the entire walkway from west to east. Since the north side is closed, finding the main slough under the bridge is important. Tides flow quickly under the bridge so fishing close to the piles gives you the best chance for success.

Many species of fish can be found around this bridge. The key is watching the bait fish and other anglers. Try to mirror their actions. The sound bottom is mostly sandy with minimal structures outside the bridge footprint. Unless jigging, it is a safe bet to fish close in toward the bridge pilings. Fast moving current under this bridge is the angler’s best friend.

Most anglers use a light to medium fishing gear to either bottom fish or jig for roving schools speckled trout, puppy drum or stripers. The standard two hook bottom rig tipped with small #4 hooks with fresh shrimp or cut bait is best for bottom fishing. When jigging, anglers typically use small lead head jigs fitted with a swim bait or other artificial plastics.

The best advantage for anglers who fish on the bridge is they don’t need any special equipment. It is important to just keep it simple. A simple light rod and reel, a two bottom rig and some fresh bait should help to get the action started quickly.

Anglers who want to fish on the Daniel’s bridge need to purchase a saltwater fishing license and obtain a copy of the local fishing regulations at a local tackle shop. It is also imperative that all anglers know the creel and bag limits for each species.

So for a great place for the beginning angler, kids of all ages, families or the experienced angler looking for that trophy fish, the Melvin R Daniels “Little Bridge” is the place to go.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt. Tony

Starting Point

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The outer banks are a great place to fish whether they are new, a returning visitor or a local resident just looking to jump into something new.

This time of year, visitors are arriving by the hundreds for vacation on the Outer Banks.  Most are looking for their next adventure.  Fishing may have been on their bucket list for years but they really never took the time to explore it.

Now more than ever, visitors are taking that opportunity to experience this pastime that is exploding all over the Outer Banks.  Fishing has been just outstanding over the past several seasons and with so much excitement many new anglers are jumping into this new hobby.

Starting fresh in fishing can be frustrating for any new angler.  Where to go and what to use for gear and bait can be overwhelming to the newcomer.  There are dozens of places that can “set you up” but only a few places can actually get you started so that this first experience is rewarding.

A local tackle shop should be your first stop.  They can help identify the best rod and reel for your use.  They can also provide you with the proper technique but more importantly they can provide the freshest and best choices for bait.  This is lesson #1. Fresh bait, locally caught and unfrozen is the key to getting the most bites. Local tackle shops are also good sources for info on special places to fish, times, conditions and legal regulations that are required.

As any novice would do, some may be tempted to fill their basket with many items that look good or that they saw on TV.  These items do a great job of catching more anglers than anglers catch the fish.  Big box stores or catalogs may offer low pricing but can never provide local knowledge and instruction that your Outer Banks tackle shops can.

This is lesson #2. Fish can be found in lots of places but good technique is specific to an area or region.  What worked at home or what worked last year may not work here and now. A good tackle shop stakes its reputation on return business.  Many consider their return customers as family.  This is something you can’t put a price on.

Once new anglers find their tackle shop home, they can learn the proper basics and move on from there.  Many want to shorten the learning curve by going directly to the advanced class.

But there is no substitute for crawling before you walk, especially when so many knowledgeable sources are yours for the asking.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony