The cape hatteras experience

Many would argue that Cape Hatteras is the mecca, the big kahuna, the place that serious anglers call home. Some would even say it’s the North Carolina sport-fishing capital. And, believe us, Hatteras fishing is serious business. Hatteras charter fishing boats go after the big game of the Gulf Stream that’s easily accessible from Hatteras Village marinas year round. The notoriety of the Outer Banks fishing experience has spread so far and wide that many visitors come here for that alone. Nevermind the beach, sound, shopping or whatever else those other visitors come for. For anglers with the penchant for Hatteras fishing, nothing else hooks their attention. Hatteras Island Charter Fishing So, why is Hatteras fishing such a big deal? It’s the chance to head offshore on a fishing charter to fight blue and white marlin, sailfish and giant bluefin tuna or to bring in a healthy catch of yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi. If you ever experience the thrill of strapping into a chair, feeling that initial tug and then hanging in through the long, sometimes exhausting and always exhilarating reeling in of that huge fish, you know that it’s an experience you want to repeat. There’s fishing, then there’s Cape Hatteras charter fishing. We know — it almost sounds like an exclusive club of Hatteras Island anglers in the know, right? But, actually, anyone can charter a boat to take them offshore fishing. The boats take up to six passengers and supply all the bait and tackle you’ll need plus a mate who’ll do everything but reel in your fish. And, with six Hatteras Village marinas, you can get on a boat somewhere! Of course, offshore fishing charters aren’t the only draw for the fish-afflicted. Fishing the Hatteras Island sound, on near-shore wrecks, in the surf and from piers is equally popular. During certain times of the year, especially fall and spring, surf fishing is phenomenal on the Outer Banks. Red drum, striped bass and bluefish are some of the favorite fall surf catches, along with flounder, trout, sea mullet and pompano in the summer. If you need a little surf fishing advice, ask at the local Hatteras Island tackle shops. Numerous guides are available to take you out on inshore fishing trips in the sound or on near-shore ocean wrecks. There are currently two fishing piers in this area. Here are some helpful Hatteras Island fishing links. Check out Outer Banks charter fishing in all its glory from Corolla to Ocracoke. And, here's where you can get your daily Outer Banks Fishing Report. A NOTE FOR ANGLERS: Saltwater anglers in North Carolina are required to buy a Coastal Recreational Fishing License. The license can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis or combined with other licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission. Children younger than 16 do not need a license. For-hire vessels and ocean fishing piers have the option to purchase a blanket license that covers all their fishing patrons, so you may not need the license to fish on a certain pier or charter boat; be sure to ask. Fishing licenses can be purchased online at www.ncwildlife.org or by calling 248-6834 or at many of the local tackle shops. Hatteras Fishing

Of all Outer Banks fishing locations, many would argue that Cape Hatteras is the mecca, the big kahuna, the place that serious anglers call home. Some would even say it’s the North Carolina sport-fishing capital. And, believe us, Hatteras fishing is serious business. Hatteras charter fishing boats go after the big game of the Gulf Stream that’s easily accessible from Hatteras Village marinas year round. The notoriety of the Outer Banks fishing experience has spread so far and wide that many visitors come here for that alone. Nevermind the beach, sound, shopping or whatever else those other visitors come for. For anglers with the penchant for Hatteras fishing, nothing else hooks their attention. Hatteras Island Charter Fishing So, why is Hatteras fishing such a big deal? It’s the chance to head offshore on a fishing charter to fight blue and white marlin, sailfish and giant bluefin tuna or to bring in a healthy catch of yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi. If you ever experience the thrill of strapping into a chair, feeling that initial tug and then hanging in through the long, sometimes exhausting and always exhilarating reeling in of that huge fish, you know that it’s an experience you want to repeat. There’s fishing, then there’s Cape Hatteras charter fishing. We know — it almost sounds like an exclusive club of Hatteras Island anglers in the know, right? But, actually, anyone can charter a boat to take them offshore fishing. The boats take up to six passengers and supply all the bait and tackle you’ll need plus a mate who’ll do everything but reel in your fish. And, with six Hatteras Village marinas, you can get on a boat somewhere! Of course, offshore fishing charters aren’t the only draw for the fish-afflicted. Fishing the Hatteras Island sound, on near-shore wrecks, in the surf and from piers is equally popular. During certain times of the year, especially fall and spring, surf fishing is phenomenal on the Outer Banks. Red drum, striped bass and bluefish are some of the favorite fall surf catches, along with flounder, trout, sea mullet and pompano in the summer. If you need a little surf fishing advice, ask at the local Hatteras Island tackle shops. Numerous guides are available to take you out on inshore fishing trips in the sound or on near-shore ocean wrecks. There are currently two fishing piers in this area. Here are some helpful Hatteras Island fishing links. Check out Outer Banks charter fishing in all its glory from Corolla to Ocracoke. And, here's where you can get your daily Outer Banks Fishing Report. A NOTE FOR ANGLERS: Saltwater anglers in North Carolina are required to buy a Coastal Recreational Fishing License. The license can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis or combined with other licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission. Children younger than 16 do not need a license. For-hire vessels and ocean fishing piers have the option to purchase a blanket license that covers all their fishing patrons, so you may not need the license to fish on a certain pier or charter boat; be sure to ask. Fishing licenses can be purchased online at www.ncwildlife.org or by calling 248-6834 or at many of the local tackle shops. Hatteras Fishing

Surf Fishing on Hatteras Island Beaches For Outer Banks fishermen, there’s nothing like heading out to the shore with a rod and reel in hand and casting out right from the beach. With intersecting currents and miles of beaches, Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks offers a world of exceptional surf fishing, and novice and experienced anglers alike can find amazing record setting catches just by casting from Cape Hatteras’ 70 miles of national seashore. Cape Point The Labrador and Gulf Stream Currents collide off of Cape Point, the famous Buxton fishing beach and geographic center of Hatteras Island. A variety of migrating game fish are within surf casting distance at any given point of the year. In the spring months, expect to catch sea bass, striped bass, bluefish, and red drum off of Hatteras Island’s beaches, with many of these migrating fish returning again in the fall, along with king mackerels. Fishing Season Anglers attest that fall is when surf fishing really heats up on Hatteras Island, particularly in the peak weeks of October when the fattened red drum return, and finger mullet run along the coast. Flounder, puppy drum, sea mullets, spots, croakers, black drum, and an occasional sheepshead round out some of the fish that can be found in the surf, throughout the season. In the summer months, be on the lookout for prized cobias, amberjacks, pompano, and tasty spanish mackerels, which can be found off these remarkable East Cast beaches all summer long, particularly in the early morning and late evening along points and inlets. You might want to bring, buy or rent a big surf rod during your stay, as some of these species, particularly the coveted red drums and cobias, can weigh between 30 and 100 pounds. Before you cast your line, you’ll need to obtain a North Carolina Recreational Fishing License. Simply visit the Division of Marine Fisheries' website to purchase a fishing license online, or stop by any local Outer Banks tackle shop during your stay. Bait the Hook As for bait, you can purchase everything from squid to blood worms from your favorite tackle shop, or you can catch small surf fishing bait yourself. Try tossing a cast net into the bulkheaded salt water canals and Pamlico Sound for small live bait fish, particularly small mullets. On the shore side, you can put the kids to work digging for mole crabs, or “sand diggers,” which are small beige and pink crabs that are found in wet sand by the ocean. While not edible, mole crabs can be excellent bait on the fly. Regulations and Citations If you do land the large one, stop by a tackle shop with a weigh station, and see if your prize catch is eligible for a North Carolina Fishing Citation. Each year, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries sponsors an open “tournament” for recreational anglers. Fishermen who land or release certain saltwater species of a minimum size in NC's coastal waters are eligible for a citation certificate that commends their catch as extraordinary. The requirements are pretty simple. The fish must be caught on hook and line and landed without electric or hydraulic equipment. The fish must then be weighed and inspected by an authorized weigh master, usually the proprietor or an employee of the tackle shop where the weigh station is located. For catch and release citations, the angler and a witness must fill out an application at an official weigh station. Once the application is filled out and approved, the citation is mailed to your home, ready to be framed and admired. Whether you cast into the Atlantic from the beach in your own backyard, head out to famous fishing spots like Cape Point & South Beach in Buxton, Oregon Inlet, or Hatteras Inlet, or try your luck in the calm waters of the Pamlico Sound, surf fishing on Hatteras Island is nothing less than exceptional. With 70 miles of Cape Hatteras Shoreline to choose from, and migrating species from all over the world brushing the coast, you have a golden opportunity for landing the big one, and bringing in a North Carolina citation to show off your catch to boot.

Ready for a day of adrenaline pumping action? Deep sea fishing at it's best Book Online Outer Banks Fishing Locals know that out of all the out of all the incredible fishing locations in the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras is the spot most preferred by veteran anglers. Our Cape Hatteras charters empower you to navigate the Gulf Stream waterways so you can catch the big game of your wildest dreams. Our charters provide full day rates and service, and we depart from the quaint idyllic Hatteras Harbor Marina, located in Hatteras Village. Along with our fishing charter, you'll be able to enjoy some of the best seafood restaurants, bed and breakfasts and hotels in all of the Outer Banks before and after your fishing charter excursion. "knowledgable crew, great boat, highly recommend Big Eye Charters to anyone looking for a great day of fishing " Bill Martin " Big Eye Charters is awesome, my family and we always look forward to fishing with them every summer on the Outer Banks" Sarah Mitchell "Great day fishing the Outer Banks with Captain Donnie." John Growler The Big Eye For a big fishing adventure, settle for nothing less than our Big Eye fishing vessel. This custom Carolina vessel is an impressive 46 foot boat, and it cruises 21 knots, making the roughest waters navigable. Fishing on the outer banks of North Carolina is made even better thanks to the expertise of a friendly, full-time captain that is passionate about providing you with a memorable fishing experience. Air conditioning and heating are available in the cabins of the Big Eye, meaning your quarters will be comfortable at any time of year. Outer Banks Fishing Fishing on the outer banks of Cape Hatteras is the only place to be if you've always dreamt of catching "the big one". On the Big Eye, you will be fishing for blue marlin, white marlin, dolphin, king mackerel, sailfish, rockfish and many more once in a lifetime catches. With our vessel, you will be able to enjoy fishing year-round, and we can accommodate up to 6 anglers. We also offer you convenience by providing all the tackle that you need, but feel free to bring your "lucky" rod to maximize your chances of a once in a lifetime fishing haul. Call 252 216 6890 or Book Online

3 of the Best Surf Fishing Spots on the Outer Banks Surf fishing is one of the most popular activities on the Outer Banks. It is a great pastime, especially in the fall when the fishing is good and the ocean and air cool down to make a day on the beach extremely enjoyable. With miles upon miles of beach available to cast your line, where should you start? Here’s a list of some of the most well-known spots to surf fish on the Outer Banks. Cape Point Cape Point is the infamous Outer Banks surf fishing spot. At the Point the land jets out into the Atlantic Ocean and then takes a sharp curve back towards the shore, creating north and south facing beaches. The Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream meet just off the Point, making Cape Point one of the best surf fishing spots on the East Coast! A 4WD vehicle and beach driving permit is the easiest way to access the Point, or be prepared to walk quite a distance from the public access. Oregon Inlet The most popular inlet on the Outer Banks, Oregon Inlet offers numerous fishing locations for anglers. The northern beach is a great location for surf fishing, the sandy beach wraps around from the oceanside to the soundside, and 4WD vehicles are allowed with a permit. The southern beach is also great for surf fishing, the beach turns into a bulk head in the inlet and the soundside has a small sandy beach access. The southern side is better for anglers who want to park their vehicle in a parking lot and walk onto the beach, whereas the northern side is better for those who want to drive out onto the beach. Hatteras Inlet To access the northern side of Hatteras Inlet, you will need a 4WD vehicle and a beach driving permit or you can park at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum parking lot and access the beach from there but you will be about 2 miles north of the Inlet Peninsula. To get to the southern side, take the ferry (the trip takes approximately 40 minutes). There is a parking lot next to the ferry docks where you can park and walk onto the beach, or drive to the 4WD beach access ramp just down the road from the ferry docks. Always remember to get a permit before driving on the beach in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and to have a valid recreational fishing license. You don’t need to go to one of these spots to have a successful surf fishing adventure. You can cast your line almost anywhere along our beaches! If surf fishing isn’t for you, consider fishing from one of the piers along the Outer Banks. Visit our online rental shop for more information about our beach rental items or give us a call at 1-800-635-9559. Related Posts Outer Banks Bike Safety Tips 4 years ago Life is a beach, if you have the right gear! 4 years ago PRICE DROP for 2014! 4 years ago New Bike path on Hatteras Island 4 years ago Buck Will Take You Surfing 4 years ago Stand Up Paddle Boarding on the OBX 4 years ago

Surf fishing long has been a tradition on North Carolina's Outer Banks, and Cape Hatteras National Seashore will celebrate that connection this fall. On November 2, the national seashore, along with partner organizations, will honor the area’s strong surf fishing history at the 1st annual Cape Hatteras Surf Fishing Heritage Celebration. The free event will be held at the Fessenden Center in Buxton, North Carolina. To celebrate the past, present, and future of surf fishing at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a full day of talks and presentations on a variety of surf fishing-related topics will be offered at the event. Among the programs will be presentations on the history of surf fishing at the seashore, casting demonstrations, evolution of beach buggies, rod building, and more. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is currently planning the event with help from the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club, North Carolina Beach Buggy Association, Outer Banks Forever, Outer Banks History Center, and Outer Banks Preservation Association.



Surf fishing is one of the most popular activities on the Outer Banks. It is a great pastime, especially in the fall when the fishing is good and the ocean and air cool down to make a day on the beach extremely enjoyable. With miles upon miles of beach available to cast your line, where should you start? Here’s a list of some of the most well-known spots to surf fish on the Outer Banks. Cape Point Cape Point is the infamous Outer Banks surf fishing spot. At the Point the land jets out into the Atlantic Ocean and then takes a sharp curve back towards the shore, creating north and south facing beaches. The Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream meet just off the Point, making Cape Point one of the best surf fishing spots on the East Coast! A 4WD vehicle and beach driving permit is the easiest way to access the Point, or be prepared to walk quite a distance from the public access. Oregon Inlet The most popular inlet on the Outer Banks, Oregon Inlet offers numerous fishing locations for anglers. The northern beach is a great location for surf fishing, the sandy beach wraps around from the oceanside to the soundside, and 4WD vehicles are allowed with a permit. The southern beach is also great for surf fishing, the beach turns into a bulk head in the inlet and the soundside has a small sandy beach access. The southern side is better for anglers who want to park their vehicle in a parking lot and walk onto the beach, whereas the northern side is better for those who want to drive out onto the beach. Hatteras Inlet To access the northern side of Hatteras Inlet, you will need a 4WD vehicle and a beach driving permit or you can park at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum parking lot and access the beach from there but you will be about 2 miles north of the Inlet Peninsula. To get to the southern side, take the ferry (the trip takes approximately 40 minutes). There is a parking lot next to the ferry docks where you can park and walk onto the beach, or drive to the 4WD beach access ramp just down the road from the ferry docks. Always remember to get a permit before driving on the beach in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and to have a valid recreational fishing license. You don’t need to go to one of these spots to have a successful surf fishing adventure. You can cast your line almost anywhere along our beaches! If surf fishing isn’t for you, consider fishing from one of the piers along the Outer Banks. Visit our online rental shop for more information about our beach rental items or give us a call at 1-800-635-9559.
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