Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 2.9.11 – Sunny but chilly. Snow tomorrow?! Big Rock are biting!

Posted on February 9, 2011

Outer Banks - 2.9.11 - Pretty but chilly in KDH

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, February 9, 2011.

This video was shot just north of the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at the Hayman St. beach access at 9:00 AM.

It sure is a pretty day, but don’t let the sun fool you…the chill is back. Bright sun and a light NE wind, but temps are stuck in the mid 30′s. The chilly temps will stick with us through tomorrow, and they are even calling for snow tonight!! What happened to the groundhog and spring coming early?!

There is a bit of swell in the water. The ocean is somewhat active, and if it would clean up, it would be in the waist to chest range, but the wind is not cooperating at this point. One forecast I checked said the winds could switch west this afternoon and clean up the surf for a small window of opportunity. But based on the wind forecasts I’m looking at, I think the winds are going to be stuck in the NE pretty much all day. Could be worth a look in the early afternoon though.

The great run on fishing continues. We are still getting a lot of reports of boats heading out of Oregon Inlet catching their fill of rock fish, and we’re talking about big fish…in the 40 – 50 pound range! Still plenty of fish in the area. Unfortunately, still not hearing many reports for catching stripers in the surf, but hopefully that will change soon.

Enjoy!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 2.2.11 – Happy Groundhog Day

Posted on February 2, 2011

Outer Banks - 2.2.11 - 60 Degree Groundhog Day

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, February 2, 2011.

This video was shot at the Lillian St. Beach Access in Kitty Hawk at 8:45 AM.

Happy Ground Hog Day. Phil popped out of his hole and didn’t see his shadow this morning, so that’s great news…spring is on the way! Especially good news for everyone in the north getting buried in snow right now. Sorry y’all…we feel for you.

Not to rub it in, but it’s 60 degrees on the OBX today! Always a good time to be on the Outer Banks.

Unfortunately, we can’t get too use this spring-like weather; chilly temps return tomorrow. Today is overcast with a 15-20 mph wind swinging SE to SW and hopefully to W by the afternoon. The sun will return tomorrow, and stay through the weekend, and the temps will inch back into the 50′s by the weekend.

If the wind swings around to the West, we could have some clean waist high surf this afternoon. 60 degree temps make it a pretty nice day to get in the water. Water temps are still a cold 39 though, so a wet suit is a must.

Great fishing still going on. A lot of reports still coming in from boats heading out of Oregon Inlet catching their limit on rock fish. Unfortunately, still no reports of catching stripers from the surf. But that should change soon…still early in the season.

Hope the snow melts for you quickly, and if you’re on the OBX, get out and enjoy the warm salty air.

Have fun!

9X World Surfing Champion Discusses the Outer Banks & Beach Access

Posted on March 6, 2009

The discussion about beach access on the Outer Banks is a hot topic. As with most disagreements, both sides carry valid points. Rather than take a stance on the subject, I’ll let a recent letter from the 9X World Surfing Champion, Kelly Slater (the Tiger Woods of surfing), speak on the subject. The Outer Banks has a tremendous amount of natural beauty and natural resources to offer the wide variety of people that grace the coastline every year, and the views of a surfer could easily be echoed by a kiteboarder, fisherman, shell collector, bird watcher, etc.

KELLY’S TAKE:
I’d have to say it’d be absurd not to think of waves as natural resources right alongside beaches, minerals, fish, and birds. The resource is used as a pleasure, necessity or business for everyone on earth. Surfing is used as all three things. Not only that, we surfers bring to light many of the issues that arise with regards to pollution and erosion concerns. There are no better people for the job as it is inherently connected to our everyday lifestyle.

The good fortune we’ve all had of being able to have access to surfing all the beaches along the shores of the Outer Banks has created many life long memories for tens of thousands of surfers and families who enjoy the area for all of its different resources. Many of the surfers I’ve been there with over the years are avid birdwatchers (which I find funny) and almost all of them are fishermen. Any day without surf is quickly filled with fishing and a freshly caught dinner.

I truly hope that surfing and waves and their beach access is equally considered in the decisions regarding the Outer Banks future. The Lighthouse has stood as a symbol of East Coast, and US, surfing since I can remember and is a mecca for easterners and all US surfers alike. Please consider this fact when determining the future of our sacred destination.

Sincerest Thanks.
Kelly Slater
9X World Surfing Champion, FL Native and long-time Hatteras visitor