Outer Banks Link Love: 1.27.12 – OBX Beach Driving Restrictions?!

Posted on January 27, 2012

Outer Banks Link Love

Happy Friday! Time for a little OBX link love.

Here are all of the Outer Banks stories that I couldn’t cover this. Let’s jump right into the fire with one of the most controversial topics the OBX has dealt with.

Outer Banks Beach Driving Restrictions
This has been years in the making, but it seems the hammer has finally been dropped. Permits are now required for Hatteras beach driving. And as the icing on the cake of disappointment, drivers will also be required to take a short “educational program.” Yikes! I love nature and birds as much as the next guy, but I’m not a fan of snatching our freedom and adding bureaucracy to our lives. Oh well. Life rolls on. But make sure you get your permit before you hit the beach on Hatteras. Fines are no fun.

Oregon Inlet Debate
While we’re on the subject of a sticky situation, let’s discuss the debate surrounding Oregon Inlet. Over the past few months, we’ve shared posts discussing the fact that Mother Nature is gradually – or not so gradually – closing the channel at Oregon Inlet. Oregon Inlet is crucial to the Outer Banks. It is a necessity to get boats out of the Sound and into the open ocean. Without Oregon Inlet, the OBX fishing industry – commercial and recreational – would change drastically. Question/debate is who pays to keep it open. Thanks to a great interview by the Outer Banks voice, long-time OBX resident Moon Tillett helps us understand that this debate is nothing new.

Wave Energy at Jennette’s Pier
Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is super cool. Gorgeous architecture, live examples of local fish from the NC aquarium, great fishing off the pier, a pretty sweet surf spot, and a whole bunch of “green” energy going on. Check out this video of a new wave energy conversion tool they recently tested off the end of their. Rad!

PS – Checkout our webcam focused on the Pier…and the sweet surf spot.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report: 12.20.11 – Great Weather & Fun Surf

Posted on December 20, 2011

Outer Banks: 12.20.11 - Great Weather & Fun Surf

Good morning. Here’s your Outer Banks, Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Tuesday, December 20, 2011.

This video was shot at the Lillian St. beach access in Kitty Hawk at 9:00 AM.

Only 5 days until Christmas. Wow, time flies. This my last report until after the holiday, so I want to wish you a merry Christmas. I’ll be back soon.

Great day for my last report before the holiday. Great weather and fun surf carrying over from yesterday. Sun, 50′s, light offshore breeze out of the southwest. Looking ahead we could have a few spots of rain, but nothing extensive. Looks like Christmas week will be mostly sunny with temps around 60…perfect OBX Christmas weather.

The surf is fun today. Waist to chest high and real clean with the southwest wind. The offshore wind will stick around through Thursday morning. The swell will fade, but fun surf will stick around…even if it is a bit small. Gotta love surfing on Christmas week…thanks Santa.

OBX fishing has slowed down, but the good news is that the stripers are arriving. Sporadic reports of some great catches. Over the weekend, our friends at Rock Solid Fishing reported a 50 pound striper hauled in at the Oregon Inlet bridge. Definitely some big fish showing up, and we should have a great OBX striper bite real soon.

Have a great holiday. Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

How to Drive in the Sand

Posted on July 13, 2011

If there is one thing someone visiting the Outer Banks NEEDS to know, its how to drive in the sand. The first time I came to the Outer Banks to visit I was staying in a friends beach house up in Carova and got stuck in the sand pulling onto her “street” a.k.a sand path right near the house. I have found that the single most important thing to remember is to air down your tires but here are some additional tips straight from OBX local and pro surfer Jesse Hines, to make sure you can get where you are going without getting stuck!

Drive with Confidence: Make sure you have a truck with 4 wheel drive! When you’re driving in the sand, keep the truck in 4 Low. Other than that, the best thing you can do is to be confident, and sometimes slightly crazy, depending on where you are. The best sand is closer to the water because it tends to be more packed down. At the same time don’t get too close because people have gone in the ocean. Try to maintain a steady speed and try not to be a nervous braker.

Keep the Pressure Low: The most common mistake that will get you stuck in the sand is not lowering the pressure in your tires. I think the best pressure is around 20 psi. It’ll make your truck feel like a pirate ship sailing through seas of sand.

Stay on Track: Another common mistake is trying to make your own tracks in the sand. People tend to roam around the beach trying to carve their own path. You want to drive in the tracks that are already there. It’s almost impossible to get stuck in another vehicles tracks because the sand has already been packed.

Start Digging: If you do get stuck in the sand, start digging. I would recommend digging out the under carriage area first because if it gets too hot under there you could have a fire hazard. Be careful though because that sand will be hot! And if you haven’t already let the pressure out of your tires, do that. It’s also a good idea to look for any driftwood or washed-up lumber. Put them under the tires for traction. If all else fails, you can start accosting other folks with a rope or a bigger, unstuck truck.

Overgunning: The absolute worse thing you can do is to start gunning it over and over again. Once you’re stuck, gunning it will only dig you deeper until the vehicle is resting on the axles. That’s pretty much the worst thing that can happen.

These are all great tips but I am going to have to add that you have to make sure you understand the tides. You don’t want to be out driving on the beach in high tide because sometimes the water goes right up to some of the houses and you will have nowhere to go. Grab a tide chart from TW’s Bait and Tackle or Google it before you make any plans to head out or into a 4×4 area.

If you need any additional advice or end up getting stuck please feel free to give our office a call and we would be glad to help any way we can. If you follow these “rules of the sand” you should be good to go and have a great time out on the beach!

This is what you DON’T want to happen!

Outer Banks Treasure: Oregon Inlet

Posted on June 26, 2011

Saltwater Game Fish

Ever actually watched a boat unload its catch of the day? It is actually pretty neat to see what everyone is talking about when they say how great Outer Banks fishing is. We went out to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center to include it as an Outer Banks Treasure and was lucky enough to get them unloading an awesome catch of dolphin and tuna.

I never actually realized how much of a city girl I was until the day I went to get this video. Before I headed to Oregon Inlet I had to make that always dreaded trip to the DMV to get my car registered. When I get to Manteo I ask where the License Plate office is and they tell me its at a pharmacy…? Being from Charlotte, NC where there is a DMV building on every corner with a line out the door I was completely in awe that they would have a DMV in a pharmacy with 2 people in line! I was in and out in about 15 minutes.

I had been to Oregon Inlet Fishing Center before but never in the summer. I was surprised to see how many people were there and was so excited to see a boat bring in its catch, since I had never seen it in action. As I was walking around I found myself feeling particular about what catches I wanted to film. Kind of funny huh? Well someone was unloading a boat of blue fish and I thought…eh not big enough I’m getting too spoiled with the whole fishing thing! Anyway I saw the Outrigger of Nags Head coming in and thought I would see what they were going to unload.

Like I said its weird that I am so spoiled because as they were unloading the boat I had to ask my boyfriend (the fishing guru) what kind of fish they were bringing out. I had never seen dolphin or tuna before so it was awesome to finally see what they looked like. Pretty big too! I would have to say that since living in the Outer Banks I have definitely grown to enjoy fishing especially in salt water. Ive decided I have to throw my girly-girl status out the window if I’m ever going to fit in around here.

After we visited the fishing center we went down to the Bonner Bridge which was another treasure in itself. Whether it is for fishing or laying out on the beach it is truly a beautiful place with views of the Bodie Island Lighthouse which is pretty neat. The fishing turned out to be amazing on Friday. We usually climb down on the pileands because if you fish from the bridge, with the current sometimes it is hard to feel when you have a bite. I wouldn’t recommend this unless you are with someone who knows what they are doing though, because it could be dangerous. We ended up catching about 70 lbs worth of sheepshead (a type of fish), which is really rare and supposedly a delicacy to eat! They are also pretty funny looking and have teeth similar to a humans.

Between the fishing center and the areas around it for fishing, Oregon Inlet is surely a treasure and offers lots of fun for the whole family. The boys can take off to the bridge while you watch from your beach chair with your toes in the sand, or head to the fishing center to see the catches of the day or check out the state record fish displayed. A real treasure is unexpected and unique. For me the fun in fishing was definitely unexpected and is promised to be the same for you! Make sure if you are in the area you check it out and if you need any tips or have questions make sure you let us know. Enjoy.

An additional $2.25 million for Oregon Inlet dredging

Posted on May 23, 2011

Since our last update on the nearly shut down Oregon Inlet, the Virginia Pilot is now reporting an additional $2.25 million has been allocated to the dredging project. The funds for the project were tucked into a $5 billion corps spending plan released this week and was unnoticed by officials until Friday.

Oregon Inlet

The $2.25 million is in addition to about $4.1 million that had been originally allocated by Congress to dredge the inlet in fiscal year 2011, which ends Sept. 30. Most of that money has been spent.

While this is great news for the Outer Banks and its large commercial fishing industry, this is a far cry from a more permeanent solution that will be needed to prevent the rapid shoaling in the popular waterway.Roger Bullock, chief of navigation for the corps’ Wilmington district said that Oregon Inlet requires at least $15 million per year to maintain at its Congressionally-authorized depth.

“Unless you were consistently getting that amount, you can’t say anything other than it being a short-term solution,” Bullock said.

After the corps mobilized more resources to dredge Oregon Inlet out of an emergency situation in April, less than $500,000 remained in the budget. Next year’s funding outlook is more dire than 2011’s. President Barack Obama’s proposed budget allocates $1 million to Oregon Inlet dredging, and a ban on federal budget earmarks casts doubt on that number increasing, Bullock said.

The decision to increase the project budget was made by administrators at corps headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Because the corps can move money among projects and from year to year, there’s no guarantee that any of it will carry over to the winter fishing season.

A corps-operated side-cast dredge is expected to return to the inlet May 25 in which the crew will work 12 hours a day every other week.

Meanwhile, the crisis this spring has renewed conversations about the need for a jetty to stabilize the inlet, an idea that was debated for decades before federal agencies killed it in 2003 because of environmental concerns. But until the Herbert C. Bonner bridge is replaced in 2015, coastal engineering experts say, dredging is the only way to keep Oregon Inlet consistently open for navigation.

What do you think? Should we continue to spend millions in short-term efforts when we know a permanent solution is necessary? Can it wait until 2015?

OBX Pic O’ the Day: The Red, White and Blue

Posted on May 2, 2011

American flag waving at Avalon Pier. Not much surf today but the weather is warm and fish are biting. Caught some bluefish and sea mullet at Oregon Inlet over the weekend. Temperatures in the 70′s over the weekend and today. The beaches are hoppin! Come visit soon. Happy Monday!

Outer Banks: Mother Nature Closing Oregon Inlet?

Posted on April 1, 2011

Mother Nature Closing Oregon Inlet? - 4.1.11

The Virginia Pilot recently reported the U.S Coast Guard’s intention to close the Oregon inlet channel connecting the Outer Banks Sound to the Atlantic Ocean. With water depths dropping to substantially low levels of 9 feet from the typical range of 30 to 40 feet, Coast Guard officials are worried about the safety of current conditions and the alternate routes some boaters are taking.

Mother Nature is filling the inlet with sand faster than the Army Corps of Engineers can clear in its daily dredging of the inlet. An effort was made two years ago with over $12 million in stimulus dollars appointed to dredge the inlet but was later destroyed by a storm.

With federal funding at only $1 million compared to the usual $4 million, a projected $10 million as an estimate to complete the job fully, and nature’s inclination to draw sand into Oregon Inlet, officials and taxpayers are less than eager to throw more money at the problem.

A long-term, lasting solution is clearly needed. But, in the meantime, shaving a few million dollars from the dredging work is likely to do more damage to the local OBX economy than it is to help ease the federal deficit.

According to a 2006 study by Dare County, the boating and fishing industries generate more than $682 million a year in revenues and support close to 10,000 jobs.

Given the economic detriment of allowing the inlet to close, Outer Banks residents and vacationers hope Congress and the Obama Administration fund the project until a more permanent fix is found.

We sent one of our roving reporters to Oregon Inlet the other day, and the below video helps demonstrate the issue. If you are familiar with Oregon Inlet, you will recognize the familiar scene of a fishing boat heading home from a trip to the Atlantic and approaching the Bonner Bridge. But rather than the usual straight shot through the channel, the pictures demonstrate that due to the sand filling in and the lack of consistent dredging recently, boats are now required to make an awkward approach to the bridge where they must turn south before swinging north close to the bride and hugging the bridge before turning west at the last minute to make their way under the bridge. This is a relatively complex approach that is adding danger to a usual easy cruise through the Inlet.

Update: The Virginian Pilot is now reporting that the Coast Guard plans to ban large vessels from Oregon Inlet. There are mixed reviews on this issue but it seems that Mother Nature isn’t backing down and now we have to ask…. Where do we go from here?

Update: WRAL reports that Governor Bev Purdue will order the Coast Guard to close Oregon Inlet declaring it impassable for large fishing vessels.

Update 4/18: WRAL reports that a larger dredge is moving into the area to make sure Oregon Inlet remains open to commercial fishing vessels.

Update 4/20: The Virginia Pilot is reporting that unless a new funding source is confirmed, the dredging at Oregon Inlet will stop in early June. “The $4 million budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the channel this fiscal year will be exhausted within the first week of June…When that money is gone, there is no plan to maintain the waterway for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.”

Hopefully Federal and/or State funding is secured before early June.

Outer Banks Fishing Highlighted in Sport Fishing Magazine – More Specifically, Congrats Rock Solid Fishing!

Posted on March 23, 2011

Outer Banks: Congrats Rock Solid Fishing

The Outer Banks is a well-known fishing destination…world-class even! Here’s a quick recap of some recent OBX fishing excitement…

The most recent thrill for OBX fishing is a great writeup in the outstanding Sport Fishing Magazine, and to add to the thrill for Seaside Vacations, we have some close ties to the article.

The article highlights local charter boat captain Aaron Kelly and his skilled fish hunting abilities. The writer and photographer tagged along with Aaron on a charter trip out of Oregon Inlet on the prowl for cobia, and it goes into detail about Aaron’s skills as a skipper. Needless to say, the day trip was a success with some big cobia catches…and some great photos. The article is a great read for OBX fishing enthusiasts.

And the tie-in to Seaside Vacations? Well, to begin, Aaron and his crew of captains at Rock Solid Fishing are partners for the Outer Banks Fishing 101 Club Seaside event that is offered to Seaside Vacations guests. So we are very proud to have the Rock Solid as a partner, and excited to offer great Outer Banks fishing information to our guests from one of the Outer Banks’ best skippers.

But the article hits home even closer. That dashingly handsome fella holding the giant cobia in the amazing picture below is none other than Seaside Vacations owner Gordon Jones. Nice catch Gordon!…I’m sure Aaron was just there for moral support.

Outer Banks: Congrats Rock Solid Fishing

Huge congrats to Rock Solid Fishing for the great coverage!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 3.18.11 – Warm & Sunny All Weekend!

Posted on March 18, 2011

Outer Banks - 3.18.11 - Gorgeous at Kitty Hawk Pier

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, March 18, 2011.

This video was shot at the Kitty Hawk Pier at 9:30 AM.

Two days until Spring officially starts! And it is starting to feel like spring…just in time for a big weekend on the Outer Banks. Sun, blue skies and 70+ degrees today!

Great weather will be with us for the weekend, sun and 60′s. Perfect timing for great OBX events. The annual Outer Banks Taste of the Beach started yesterday, so there are four days of great culinary events, and Sunday is the 22nd Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The ocean is not very active today. There’s a light west wind cleaning up what little swell there is, but it looks like a fun little longboard wave…probably knee to waist high. This inactivity should stick with us for the next few days.

OBX fishing is going strong. There are a lot of reports of blue fin tuna catches offshore, and the big news is still the 805 pound blue fin tuna that was hauled into Oregon Inlet last weekend…new NC state record! The water is beginning to warm down south, and we are starting to get reports from Ocracoke of puppy drum catches out of the surf.

Enjoy!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 3.16.11 – Thunderstorms, but warm…and getting warmer.

Posted on March 16, 2011

Outer Banks - 3.16.11 - Thunderstorms in Kitty Hawk

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, March 16, 2011.

This video was shot in Kitty Hawk at “Lucky Tides” at 8:30 AM

We have some wet weather to start today. Thunderstorms are in the area to start the day, but the storms should move off by early afternoon, and the sun should return soon. Temps are in the upper 60′s today, and getting warmer as we approach the weekend. The sun and warm temps will be with us through the weekend.

Not much going on for surf today. It was better than expected when I got to the beach, but still only waist high or so….looks fun though. There is some swell in the water, and almost no wind this morning, so there’ s small window of opportunity for some small surf.

As for OBX fishing, the big news is still the NC state record blue fin tuna that was hauled into Oregon Inlet over the weekend. 805 pounds! Huge. It shows the quality of fish that are in the area now. We are getting a lot of reports of big schools of blue fin tuna offshore and a few schools of yellow fin here and there. We are also starting to get reports of puppy drum being caught out of the surf in Ocracoke. Rock is might be over, but OBX fishing is still going strong!

Enjoy.