Outer Banks

South point? Been some phenomenal fishing going on down there recently.

 

Yeah, we were down at the south point. Didn’t catch lot, saw a few people catching some drum. I did catch a 74” bull shark on a drum rig. That was a hell of a fight for about 30 minutes. I was as tired as the shark when it was over.


We are on the way home now. Was a great trip as always.

 

@Foghorn Did you camp? NPS site?
If so, did you reserve? Or, did you get a site after you arrived?
Thinking of a road trip there now.
I am not a fan of Reservations.gov.

Thanks

 

No, we rented a house.

 

Just did my first trip over to Cape Lookout this weekend. Caught a few red drum surf fishing. Looking forward to the next trip over, based out of Raleigh.

 

where did you find the sticker above the Tacoma badge? Looks like Bodie Island Lighthouse.

 

Very nice! I was out there too.

 

About an hour ago, I drove to my site at the cape point camp ground, went online and paid for the site I parked at. Wonder when/where the 3 days comes into play.

 

Thank you much.

 

Packed up and ready to to OB on Sunday... But, the weather forecast prompted us to stay inland.
We camped 3 nights at W Kerr Scott Reservoir.

 

Good choice. We had houses floating away during this storm. 12 has been closed since Monday afternoon. They’re trying to have it open today at some point.

 

We will be in the OBX from 06/03-06/12. The plan is to camp in Waves from 06/03-06/05 (because we wanted a few extra days in the OBX), then meet the rest of the family at the house we rented in Corolla on 06/05. We like staying in the southern OBX better, but when we booked this time last year, there was only 1 available house big enough for us and it was the one we got in Corolla (we will have about 30-32 ppl staying in the house).

I've always surf fished when at the beach but never caught much more than puffers, whiting/mullet, baby sharks, etc.. I've been doing a lot more research on surf fishing and think I'll be more prepared this year to hopefully catch some Spanish or Red Drum or anything else that would be good to eat or more fun to fight.

We're all very familiar with freshwater fishing, but not so much saltwater. So any tips as far as that goes would be surely welcome! Baits, rigs, techniques, locations, etc..

We usually just use frozen scrimps or sand fleas on store bought bottom rigs. This time I'm going to tie some of my own bottom rigs as I've heard the store bought ones have too much hardware etc.. Maybe try to make some Pompano rigs or fish finder rigs to see if that works better. Maybe try live scrimps or other live bait if I can get any.

For gear, I just picked up a Daiwa BG3000 combo off a guy. It has dark green braid on it, but not really sure what kind/test, thinking I should re-spool but not sure what to use really. Other than that, I'll be picking up a "cheap" combo or 2 to fish with also (It's hard to justify buying super nice saltwater setups to only use once or twice a year). Any recommendations on that part would be great as well!

 

I’d classify myself as a low level intermediate at fishing the suds but I know if you want to catch Spanish (and some blues lol) you need to fish shiny metal stuff with a fast retrieve. For soaking bait, fluoro leaders tied into the river rig and fish finder rig are hard to beat. Smaller hooks like size 2-4 seem to spook less fish, Circle hooks and Kahle hooks for the win here. You’ll need to step up to a bigger rod and tackle to really target big drum. Spend some time and money at one of the local shops on a couple rigs but also buy the stuff to make your own while there. They might even show you how to tie them lol. I’m partial to Bob’s and TW as far as the northern obx goes.
Learn how to read the sandbars and cuts at low tide then return at high tide to find the fish.
Get a good pair of stainless pliers lol.
Watch lots of YouTube.
Look back through posts from the locals @DrummyTaco I’m talking about you here lol. There’s some good stuff in there.
Sunrise snd sunset.

good luck I’m headed to Corolla in July lol. I prefer the southern beaches but like you we waited too long to book

 

Preciate the info! I did get some silver spoons from the guy I got the rod/reel from so definitely gonna try those and a couple . I’m gonna try to sneak in a 5000 series reel just incase I hook up to something bigger lol. From the vids I’ve watched learning to read the surf is key. I’d really like to live a little closer to saltwater so it would be more accessible. Hard to get good at something only doing it once or twice a year lol. Safe travels and good luck to you in July!

 

I feel famous. My first mention on here in the 5yrs I been on here

First and foremost, that’s a lot of people and I’m sorry the majority of your stay will be up north, but the fishing should be picking up in Corova now.


Secondly, do you have an ORV permit or do you plan to get a week permit? That really helps finding fish. Ramps 25-32 are open for day driving only this time of year. That stretch of beach has always been good for mullet, blues, drum etc.. the big/puppy drum bite down south has been phenomenal this spring. The big drum are starting to disperse and move north. The smaller drum are breaking up into smaller schools traveling the beaches.


If you want a drum, look for either a bar that’s close enough to cast over at high tide or a bar with a big break in it at low tide. They cruise the back side bar normally when moving from one spot to another. So getting on the other side is important, unless of course you have a nice hole to fish in. If you happen to find a good hole, don’t cast as far as you can. Get 10-15’ behind the wash. They’ll be sitting in there eating sand fleas.


Sand fleas are another thing that’s just as, if not more important than finding a good bar or hole. If you can’t seen them getting washed around at your feet, there’s a good chance none are there. No fleas=no fish (no quantity at least). Sand fleas move in little sand flea herds up and down the beach. So where there weren’t any on the first tide, might be riddled with them on the next.


Blues/Spanish/large pompano. I’m not sure what kind of silver spoons you’re talking about, but again, distance is key most of the time for them. We use sting silvers, essentially a flattened torpedo weight that’s been painted with a treble on it. Spoons work for sure, but sometimes the extra distance can get you closer to those fish.

What’s your budget for a couple combos? You could spend a $200-250 for a pretty decent general surf rod.

We may even be out and about that weekend and we can meet up and I can give you some of the rigs I tie up myself for drum and mullet. I got plenty extras to share


If you have any specific questions you can pm me.

 

I like this place.

 

Wow, I really appreciate all the info!!

Yes, I have both the Hatteras seashore permit and the Currituck county parking permit for the week. We definitely like the souther shores better, but anywhere in the OBX is better than inland!

Yeah about the $200 range on a surf combo is what I was looking at. Last time was the first time I used sand fleas and they definitely work nice.

 

No problem. Forgot to mention about The Sinker Guy on youtube, has a lot of good videos on reading the beach and tying rigs. He’s in Florida, but it’s pretty similar to here.

When choosing something new, I’d recommend a 9-10’ rod thats in the 1-4oz range with a 4000 size reel and 20lb braid or 10-12lb mono. That’s a pretty versatile set up that would work well for small to medium drum and blues/Spanish.

 

I'll check him out, not sure I've seen his videos yet! I definitely need a rod like you speak of that can handle the heavier weight. Definitely give a holler if you're around. We will be on the beach somewhere and will have a crowd with us so will be hard to miss us! Thanks again for all the tips!

 

I would like to add something about braided line. If you use braided line on a spinning reel and casting heavy weight, make sure you crank your drag down tight when you cast. You can loosen it back after the cast. With your drag loose and casting heavy weight, it will strip line off the reel during the cast causing that braided line to be very rough on your finger. After a day of fishing with multiple casts, your finger will be pretty sore. I usually use 8 and bait for drum fishing with a 10 or 12 foot rod. I have a cast cannon on my 12 foot rod with braided line. The cast cannon is a finger saver!