Sunday, June 29, 2003
Something's always biting in the waters of the Outer Banks.
By TIM WARREN
WASHINGTON POST
The Outer Banks is the big leagues of saltwater fishing. Because the Gulf Stream meets the North American Current at Cape Hatteras, there's a smorgasbord of fish from both the South and North Atlantic.
"The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands that juts out into the ocean, so a lot of fish we catch are migratory and are moving up and down the coast," says Joe Malat, a former surf-fishing guide in Nags Head who runs a surf-fishing school and has written two books on fishing the Outer Banks.
Other factors that make for good fishing: miles of accessible beaches, tackle shops with knowledgeable staff, charter boats and guides to provide assistance and warm weather that allows for practically year-round angling.
WHEN TO GO
Fishing is essentially a 12-month activity, though surf fishing drops off markedly in February (water too cold) and August (too hot).
Fall is the best time, both in terms of the number of fish and the chance of landing a big bluefish, red drum or striped bass.
Spring can be iffy, depending on how early the season comes, but usually good fishing has resumed by early to mid-May.
Conditions in late fall and early winter can be quite trying but the striper fishing the past few years has been superb. Deep-sea fishing continues year-round.
Marlin fishing is better in the summer, and winter is the best time to land a bluefin tuna. Fishing in the sounds slacks off in early spring, then picks up once the water temperatures rise. There is great striper fishing in the sounds from late fall well into the winter.
WHERE TO GO
Avid surf fishermen at some point make a trip to Cape Hatteras in Buxton, where fishing can be spectacular in the spring and late fall, especially for red drum of 40 pounds or more. But don't expect idyllic angling -- it's often extremely crowded.
Four-wheel-drive isn't essential for surf fishing, but it's mighty helpful because many of the best places practically demand it.
On Hatteras Island, a series of ramps operated by the National Park Service provide access to the beach by foot or vehicle. In the sounds, there is respectable fishing from the shore, but the best angling there is done by boat.
There are eight fishing piers on the Outer Banks, open approximately from Easter to Thanksgiving:
UKitty Hawk Pier (Milepost 1.5, Kitty Hawk, [252] 261-2772). $7 a day.
UAvalon Pier (Milepost 6, Kill Devil Hills, [252] 441-7494). $8 a day.
UNags Head Pier (Milepost 11, Nags Head, [252] 441-5141). $7 a day.
UJennette's Pier (Milepost 16.5, Nags Head, [252] 441-6421). $7 a day.
UOuter Banks Pier (Milepost 18.5, Nags Head, [252] 441-5740). $7 a day.
UHatteras Island Pier (Rodanthe, [252] 987-2323). $6 a day.
UAvon Pier (Avon, [252] 995-5480). $7 a day.
UCape Hatteras Pier ( a k a Frisco Pier, Frisco, [252] 986-2533). $7 a day.
WHAT TO BRING
The most common mistake newcomers make is not bringing heavy enough tackle and not dressing for the elements. Many good tackle shops offer the right equipment and bait, along with advice on where and how to fish.
Piers also stock most of what you need, though some anglers found tackle shops to be far more helpful and considerably cheaper. As for deep-sea fishing, charter boats furnish all bait and tackle.
TW's Bait and Tackle Shop, with locations in Corolla, Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, generally gets high marks from anglers.
On Hatteras Island, serious anglers head for Hatteras Jack in Rodanthe ([252] 987-2428), Frank and Fran's in Avon ([252] 995-4171), Red Drum Tackle in Buxton ([252] 995-5414) and Frisco Rod and Gun in Frisco ([252] 995-5366). On Ocracoke, Tradewinds ([252] 928-5491) is a landmark.
CHARTERS
For deep-sea fishing, chartering a boat for an all-day trip (maximum six people) can run up to $1,200. If you're going solo or have a small group, many marinas will do "make-up" trips, in which you are matched up with other anglers and pay only your share of the total fee.
Remember that though the deep-sea fishing can be spectacular, if you're going for marlin, for instance, only two or three may be boated all day -- meaning there's a good chance you've paid big money to be shut out.
South of Bodie Island, the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center ([800] 272-5199) offers nearly three dozen boats for offshore fishing, plus several more that do half-day and all-trips in the sounds. (Those trips, which target smaller fish and are more kid-friendly, often cost a third of the deep-sea outings.)
Pirate's Cove in Manteo ([800] 367-4728) likewise features deep-sea and inshore fishing charters. In Hatteras Village, marinas include Hatteras Harbor Marina ([800] 676-4939) and Oden's Dock ([888] 544-8115). For half-day fishing in Pamlico Sound on a small boat, try Ken Dempsey ([252] 986-2102), a knowledgeable guide who is great with children.
INFORMATION
Two good Web sites include www.outerbanksfishing.com and www.fishmojo.com, which provide links to charters and daily fishing reports.
For details on Joe Malat's surf fishing schools, (252) 441-4767, www.joemalat.com.