Looking for Outer Banks surf fishing tips? The Outer Banks, or OBX, is a two-hundred-mile-long string of islands on the US east coast, spitting off the North Carolina coast and southeastern Virginia. They cover most of the coastline of North Carolina, separating Pamlico Sound, Albemarle Sound, and Currituck Sound from the Atlantic Ocean.
The Outer Banks is known worldwide for its expanded, open beachfront and its warm and inviting climate. If you’re a surf fishing enthusiast, you’re certain to fall in love with this gem of a destination.
Read on to discover our insider guide for having a successful and enjoyable Outer Banks surf fishing trip. Our first tip, of course, is to book a comfortable vacation property that you can return home to at the end of each fishing adventure. For a real treat, some of our condos also come with private hot tubs!
Best Time of the Year to Catch Big Fish
When it comes to Outer Banks surf fishing, there is nothing quite like casting outright from the shore and reeling in a big catch. Though we love a good fishing pier, every fisherman loves the feel of a rod and reel in hand as they head out to the shore. These are the best times of year to try your luck:
Spring
Anglers have success during the early spring as the water warms up, as well as during the summertime in the surf. Better times of day to target surf fish include morning daybreak to mid-morning as well as evenings as the sun goes down (targeting sharks or dogfish). Sea trout can also be found along the edges of the marsh at this time of year as they prepare to breed.
Summer
In the summer months, you can expect tasty Spanish mackerel, pompano, red drum, and rarely cobias. These can be found off the Outer Banks’ remarkable beaches throughout the entire length of summer — particularly along inlets and points in the late evening and early morning.
You may want to rent or bring a big fishing rod throughout the duration of the trip to these parts. The reason for a big rod is that some species of fish, particularly the coveted cobias and red drums, can weigh between 20 and 50 pounds.
Fall
Around these parts and particularly on Hatteras Island, the fall is when surf fishing season really heats up. This is something all anglers in the area attest to, particularly in the October peak weeks when finger mullet runs along the coastline, and the return of the fattened red drum never fails.
You will even see an occasional sheepshead along with schools of black drum, croakers, spots, redfish, sea mullets, puppy drum, striped bass, and flounder. Throughout the season, these are some of the fish found along the surf.
Winter
Larger king mackerel can be found during fall, but you may also be lucky enough to catch one during winter, too. Other popular fish to catch during winter include bluefish, striped bass, speckled trout, and red drum.
Surf Fishing Things to Know
Is a Fishing License Required?
Before you get that line cast, the first thing you need to do when going Outer Banks surf fishing is to get a North Carolina Recreational Fishing License. All you need to do in order to obtain this is to go to any tackle shop in the Outer Banks while you are in the area or visit the website of the Division of Marine Fisheries and buy a license online.
If you only plan to be in the state once each year, it may be better to buy a Coastal Recreational Fishing 10-Day License.
What Bait is Best for OBX Surf Fishing?
You can catch more fish in the Outer Banks surf when you buy the right bait. You can buy everything from blood worms to squid and pre-cut bait from any tackle shop. You can also DIY and catch small mullets and fishing bait on your own. There are small live baitfish in the saltwater canals that you can use for live bait for small fish. Put the kids to work on the shoreside to dig for sand fleas or crabs. These are pink crabs or small beige crabs found by the ocean in the wet sand. These are not edible but do make great bait for fish.
It is nothing short of exceptional to fish on the shore on the beaches, starting from Kitty Hawk all the way to Hatteras Island. Cape Hatteras alone is a seventy-mile shoreline with migrating species from all over the world that brush along the coast.
Once you do land extra-large catch, stop by a weight station in a tackle shop and see if your catch is eligible for a North Carolina Fishing Citation. Recreational anglers can take part in a yearly open tournament sponsored by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Shore fishermen who release or land certain species of saltwater fish in a minimum size on the coastal waters of North Carolina are eligible for a certificate of citation commending their extraordinary catch.
Once you’ve got your bait, make sure you also have the correct kit. Jigs — hooks attached to artificial lures — are also worth investing in for surf casting and may increase your chances of getting a catch or two. Bottom rigs are also popular among surf fishers in OBX. If you’re unsure, any tackle shop will be able to help you out.
Are Fishing Classes Available in Outer Banks?
Those who have never gone surf fishing in the Outer Banks might want to take advantage of the many options for instructions and classes. Check out classes at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head to learn more about this fun and exciting sport!
For a more casual approach to fishing lessons, there are several local tackle shops that can supply you with any of your fishing needs, as well as give you tips on their favorite fishing spots.
If you’d like to add a little variety to your fishing experience in OBX, embark on a fishing charter with Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. Whether you’re a skilled angler or it’s your first time fishing on the open water, the team will supply you with all the kit and know-how needed to get a big catch.
Our Top Outer Banks Surf Fishing Tips
So now that you have all the information you need to make the most of your Outer Banks Surf Fishing trip, here are our final tips for catching big fish in OBX:
- Use a longer rod (10 feet to 12 feet) to cast longer into the surf
- The fresher the bait, the better the success rate
- It takes time to see results — but don’t be afraid to move
- Vary your fishing with the tides — try low tide and high tide for best results
- Be aware of those around you on the beach & cast safely
- Have fun!
Outer Banks — a Unique Beach Community & a Surf Fishing Paradise
There’s no better place in the world to walk barefoot and settle for a long day of shore fishing as you listen to the endless lull of ocean waves than the beautiful Outer Banks.
From desolate shorelines with no one around to the most popular spots dotted with lifeguard stations, it isn’t hard to find the perfect beach for a fishing trip. In fact, many of our guests from Hatteras Island, Nags Head, or Kill Devil Hills enjoy pier fishing and surf fishing just a short walk from the door of their oceanfront condo rental!
So what are you waiting for, make your booking with First Flight Rentals and get ready to discover this surf fishing paradise.