Saltwater Fishing

Letā€™s Go Pier Fishing

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Donā€™t have a boat and you want to fish. No problem. Fishing on one of the outer banks pier can be an enjoyable outing for the entire family. Itā€™s one of those activities where you can just grab a rod, little bait and catch fish. The best part is you donā€™t need any instruction but with a little guidance, the family can be out catching not only dinner but memories that last a lifetime.

First, most ocean fishing piers offer a blanket license which means you donā€™t need a license to fish. The daily fee allows the angler to fish all day. And if they need to leave for a period and return, that is permissible under the daily fee. The only exception is on the Bonner Bridge Pier where anglers need a saltwater license to fish there.

Next, letā€™s look at gear. Most fish caught on piers are going to be small so there is no need to bring a lot of fishing gear or equipment. Anglers should use a simple seven or eight medium rod and reel that is designed for use in a saltwater environment. If you donā€™t have a rod, everything can be rented at the pier house for a nominal fee.

Next is rigging. This is just as important as the rod and reel. Perfect starter kit is a pre-made two hook bottom rig with small ā€œJā€ or circle hooks and a pyramid sinker. The hook size should not exceed the types of bait. And the sinker should allow the bait and rig to just hold the bottom.

The most popular bait for pier fishing is fresh shrimp. Keep shrimp out of the sun and in a cooler if possible. Fresh bait catches more fish. Other popular baits are artificial fish bites, worms and cut bait. Either works fine but as a new pier angler, shrimp is best.

Picking the best spot on the pier is key. Most piers are long and lined with anglers. It is probably best to start on one side of the pier and fish both sides until you begin feeling lots of hits or bites. The key to successful pier fishing is to move around.

And finally, itā€™s time to fish. You now need to bait your hooks. Use only a small piece of shrimp,Ā  just enough to cover the hook.

Once your bait and rig is ready, just drop your bait straight down over the railing into the water. Make sure your sinker is on the bottom and wait for the tap. Most small fish will tap your bait to loosen it from your hook before taking it. When you feel the tap followed by a tug, raise the rod and reel it in. Thatā€™s it, you are fishing.

Another very important part of any type of fishing is releasing all unwanted fish. If you are not keeping your catch, it should be released back in the water as quickly as possible.

And finally, angler safety is also important. Always wear a hat and dress for the conditions. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed places year round. Bring plenty of drinks and snacks will help make for an enjoyable day.

So now that you are ready, letā€™s go fishing on a local pier!!

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony

Fishing from Land on the OBX

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We are entering the official start of summer so itā€™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 BridgeĀ ā€“ great bridge deck to fish from the south side only. Easy access, parking, restrooms, shaded area, fishing cleaning station. Good for crabbing. Look for channels and moving water. There is a deep hole approximately one hundred fifty yards south of bridge. Long casts and covering more water increases catches.

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

Various boat rampsĀ ā€“ 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 for boats being launched and loaded.

Oregon Inlet Fishing CenterĀ ā€“ 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 ā€“ most of this area is a 4-wheel access. A great location during the entire year. Permits are required during the summer months.

BeBop PierĀ ā€“ west end on Mannā€™s Harbor Bridge. Easy access, limited parking, shaded area with benches. Ā 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 SloughĀ ā€“ 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 frontsĀ ā€“ 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 havenā€™t included the piers because they are a given. These are the special spots. Piers will be discussed during another post. Remember ā€“ anglers will need a license to fish any of these spots.

Until Next Time ā€“ Tightlines ā€“ Capt. Tony

Seasonal Favorite – Sea Mullet

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Sea mullet are one of the easiest fish to catch on the outer banks.Ā  They have a slender body with a slightly arched dorsal fin. Their color can range from a light to dark gray with dark shaded stripes. Their mouth faces downward to assist in feeding.

The range in size from several inches to eighteen with the typical size being caught range to ten to fifteen inches. Sea mullet can go by several names including Whiting, Kingfish or roundhead. Most anglers just call them ā€œfun to catch and great to eatā€.

Sea mullet can be found along the entire outer banks coastline from April through October.Ā  They typically show up in the spring when the water begins to reach fifty degrees and stay around until the water cools in the fall.

Local anglers target these fish in the shallow surf zones and on the ocean piers.Ā  They can range from the close in sloughs and near bars to out in deeper water adjacent to structures such as piers and docks.

I usually find them either right near the beach in shallow water or half to three quarters out on the piers. On the surf, just cast to the first bar or drop it on the slough. When fishing on the piers, I usually will cast out and away from a structure and slowly drag the rig back to me. Hook ups will be near the pier, sand bar or shallow areas where they believe bait is getting away from them.

They are typically bottom feeders and prefer cloudy or stained water.Ā  Sea mullet stay in a zone where there is a lot of water movement. This constant water movement stirs the bottom and mixes the food source that the mullet searches for. They also search for food by smell so fresh baits are always the best way to go.

Anglers should use a seven and half light medium rod and reel with a fast tip and a standard one or two hook bottom rig and either a pyramid or bank sinker. A light tip will allow the angler to feel the lightest tap before the hook up. Sea mullet have a small mouth so I always start with small hooks and depending on my success I might change up or down in size.

I prefer a number four ā€œJā€ or circle hook. I just bait the hook with a small bait. The best bait for sea mullet is fresh shrimp, bloodworms, mole crabs or fish bites.

When you use shrimp, always purchase eating type shrimp. I never peel the shrimp or mole crabs. The hard shell usually helps the bait on the hook. Remember, leave just a small tip out of the bait to ensure a hook up.

When the sea mullet are in season, you can fill a cooler in no time. And most probably one of the best eating fish with its white flaky meat.

But please remember, when fishing, only harvest what you plan to use fresh. Frozen sea mullet or any fish loses its favor quickly.

Grab a rod and hit the surf today. There is no better time to catch a sea mullet now.

Oh, and one more thing that will make your day better is to take a kid fishing.Ā  With every fish they catch that smile gets wider.

Until next time ā€“ tightlines ā€“ Capt. Tony