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Fishing On The Outer Banks
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Without a doubt the most popular activity on the Outer Banks is still fishing. But some visitors don't have any idea just how many different ways there are to fish here. The warm ocean waters caused by the balmy Gulf Stream currents make Hatteras Island an exceptional place to fish nearly every month of the year. Granted it takes a hearty sole to stand in the sand on a blustery January day and try to cast for the famous Hatteras giant red drum but the truth is that there are usually several days in January, February and March that are warm and calm enough to entice those many anglers with "cabin fever."  Here are the some of the more popular types of fishing in this area:

♦ Surf Fishing ....Basically this involves taking a rod, a reel and some bait down to the surf and seeing just what kind of fish just happens to be cruising through the area. What makes Hatteras Island unique is that it has been a long standing local tradition to drive your 4 wheel drive vehicle through a designated spot (ramp) in the dunes and park right where you want to fish. Check out this great informational article on "Sand / Beach Driving 101." Beach driving means no carrying gear and coolers hundreds of yards in order to enjoy the ocean. This comes in pretty handy when you are an older retiree like myself. Don't worry, if you don't have a 4 wheel drive there are also several designated parking areas where you can hike over the dunes while carrying your equipment. I did it for years and I survived it. Surf fishing results depend on the time of year and the attitude of the fish themselves. If you are thinking of planning your trip around the fishing at Hatteras it would be a good idea to check out the tackle shops and their fishing reports listed below for information on what is biting and what all you will need to bring.

♦ Pier Fishing ........ Don't have a 4X4? No problem. A walk out on a Hatteras Pier can produce some awesome fishing. They look like giant boat docks and they extend well out into the ocean and past the breaker shoals. The good folks that work at these piers can get you rigged up for whatever type of fish you want to catch.

♦ Inlet Fishing ........ There are also many fishing opportunities for those that want to tow there own boats to Hatteras and give it a try too. Normally Hatteras Inlet starts seeing good action from several desirable species of game fish as the waters warm in late April and early May. Drifting through the inlet and also searching the shoals immediately inside and outside the inlet can produce the fishing experience of a lifetime. Anglers can launch their boats at any one of the several Village marina's.  Normally the cost of launching includes both launching and parking for your truck and trailer.

♦ Inshore Fishing ....  Although a lot of people use this term to incorporate other types of fishing, basically this style is done with a boat trolling baits within a mile or two of the beaches. Many times the larger fish that use the surf zone for their feeding also cruise just out of the casting distance of the anglers along the beach. Trolling along these areas can produce some really good catches. This type of fishing is most popular in the summer months when weather and water conditions are more dependable for safe boating with smaller craft.

♦ Sound Fishing ....... This is another place for the folks that want to bring their own boat to enjoy some great fishing but beware, the sound is a big place. Finding fish in such a vast amount of water isn't always easy. Normally this type of fishing really starts to heat up in the months of June, July, and August. Several very well qualified guides are available for this type of fishing for the anglers that want to be sure that they are going to get a good meal or two out of their vacation experience.

♦ Offshore Fishing .....  The granddaddy of Hatteras fishing has to be the world famous offshore fishing. Because the warm Gulf Stream waters meander close to Hatteras Inlet many deep water pelagic species of fish like yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, blackfin tuna, wahoo, mahi (dolphin), king mackerel, sailfish, white marlin and the ever elusive and spectacular blue marlin roam the waters just off our Hatteras coast. Anglers with larger boats often tow them to this area and launch at one of the local marinas. But the most dependable method of offshore fishing that made Hatteras famous is its spectacular fleet of beautiful sportfishing yachts. You can charter one of these 34' to 60' fishing machines most any day of the year and because this is one of the most experienced sportfishing crews in the world you will almost be guaranteed of having an outstanding fishing experience that you and your family will continue to remember for years.