Surf Fishing

First Time Surf Fishing

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Surf fishing is one of the most popular hobbies for vacationers when they visit the Outer Banks. And with just a little effort, the new angler can have fun and catch dinner. Letā€™s talk about how to get started and be successful.

First, anglers who plan to fish on the surf will need a saltwater fishing license. Short or long term licenses are available either online or at a local tackle shop. And while you are at the tackle shop, new anglers should pick up a copy of the rules and bag and creel limits. Itā€™s also available on the NCDMF website at https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries

Once at the tackle shop, the crew can advise you of the best gear, baits, locations, tides and the best times of the day. Of course, most anglers try to fish when and where they can. But new anglers should focus on fishing in the mornings and evenings when there are less swimmers. And more importantly, fish tend to feed more aggressively during those hours.

Now armed with the correct gear and bait, the next thing is finding the best place on the surf. During your visit at the tackle shop, hopefully they provided a little advice on finding fish and reading the water. And as a newcomer, it can be a little confusing and occasionally frustrating because all the water appears the same. But with a steady eye, the new angler will be able to see slight changes in the waves, current and colors.

When reading the water, look for something different. A slough runs parallel with the surf. Moving water creates holes, points and rip currents. Another important key is look at the waves as they break on the shore. Look for piles of gravel, shells and small rocks. This indicates a steep drop off. Fish feed in these areas.

So here are three keys that each new angler should focus on for a successful outing.

First, fresh bait catches more fish. Use shrimp, small mole crabs or artificial fish bites. Blood worms are great but expensive, so stick with more practical baits. Remember,fresh bait spoils quickly so keep your bait out of the sun and preferably in a cooler. This is where fish bites work best, no refrigeration needed.

Hereā€™s a great tip: ninety percent of the fish you catch on the surf will be within fifteen yards from your feet. So keep your casts close in. Allow your bait to move in the current. Check your bait frequently.

And finally move. If you arenā€™t feeling bites within several minutes, move parallel along the beach. The surf bottom has many different configurations. Fish will seek food or protection in an area they find food and safety. Easy to find deep areas and funny wave configurations if you look closely.

If you are fortunate to hook up. The process of retrieving yourĀ  fish should be methodical. When you feel a nibble or bite, and the fish begins to take your line, just raise your rod tip and reel slowly. Never jerk the rod. Jerking pulls the bait and hook away from the fish. Unfortunately many new anglers get excited with a bite and will miss the catch by jerking too fast. So just raise the rod slowly and reel in.

Itā€™s important to use the waves to help bring the fish to the beach. The fish will be trying to escape by swimming straight away. Keeping the line tight, reel slowly when the fish isnā€™t running and taking line. Steady pressure keeps the fish hooked.

The incoming waves will help with your retrieve and push the fish up on the surf. Be patient and use the waves to your advantage.

Once you have brought the fish ashore, remove the hook carefully, take a picture quickly and if you arenā€™t planning to harvest it, release it back into the water.

We will be discussing your best bet and gear types in a future article. Check back soon.

So, there you go. See how easy that was.

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

Where Do I Start

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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 for vacation or just something different and searching 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 ā€œset you upā€ 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.
Freshest 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.
Ask where to go. 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 canā€™t put a price on.
Once new anglers find their favorite tackle shop, the professionals can teach them 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