Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 9.29.11 – 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking

Posted on September 29, 2011

Outer Banks: 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Thursday, September 29, 2011.

This video was shot at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head at 7:30 AM.

I was up bright an early to head down to Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head to catch some surf and catch the opening day of the 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking. I had to hold off for a few minutes for a thunder storm to move out to sea, but it turned out to be a beautiful morning…and a beautiful day.

The sun is shining, air temps are in the 80′s and water temps at 74 degrees. This will stick with us for tomorrow, and then the weekend starts to feel like fall. Temps will drop to the high 60′s for the weekend, but plenty of sun, some good swell in the water, and temps will jump back to the upper 70′s early next week.

We have a nice offshore breeze cleaning up the waist high surf today, but the swell is fading today and tomorrow before it jumps over the weekend as Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ophelia moves through the Atlantic. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the wind will cooperate with the swell this weekend.

But the big news in the water is that the 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking kicks off today at Jennette’s Pier. Today is a free surf, a setup day, and the opening ceremonies. The first round of the contest starts tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp. Hopefully the surf cooperates, but the weather and water temps should be great, so it will be a fun competition at any rate.

This is a pretty significant event. The Championships are a worldwide event, so contests are on the OBX from around the world. It is held every two years, and the last event was in Portugal. We are very excited to have such a great event on the Outer Banks. Definitely worth a trip to Nags Head if you are in the area. Jennette’s Pier is gorgeous, and this kayakers can do some amazing things in the water.

OBX fishing is going strong. Definitely settling in to some great fall fishing. Offshore is catching their limits on yellow and black fin tuna. The piers, bridges, surf, and Sound are very consistent with a wide variety of fish – speckled trout, blue fish, pompano, croaker, sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, spot, black drum. A great time to be fishing on the OBX!

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks: Moonlight Legend, Lore & Ghost Tour

Posted on September 27, 2011

Ghost

Well, now that it’s officially Fall, I suppose we can start to talk about Halloween. This isn’t really a Halloween post, but it’s a great primer for All Hallow’s Eve, and anything that raises the spook factor this time of year gets me thinking about costumes and candy. Ready to be scared?

Did you realize the Outer Banks has some funky, or should I say spooky, ghost tales to share. It makes sense, the OBX has a long history full of pirates, shipwrecks, lost colonies, etc. There’s got to be some spookiness that’s survived over the years.

On Thursday, the Whalehead Club is offering up great legends, lore, and ghost tales to help you get in the Halloween spirit. Bring your long sleeves, flashlight, and best horror movie scream.

Moonlight Legend, Lore and Ghost Tour

Thursday September 29, 2011 – Beginning at Dusk

For those who dare, come and take the Moonlight Legends, Lore and Ghost Tour of the Whalehead Club by lantern light! Walk the steps of pirates, shipwreck victims, and ghosts of Corolla Island! Which spirit will you see that night? Tickets are $20 per adult and are available by advance purchase only. Call 252-453-9040 ext 2 early- this tour sells out quickly!

Check out more specialty tours by visiting our website www.whaleheadclub.org . The Whalehead Club is located in Currituck Heritage Park, just past milepost 11 on Route 12 North in Corolla, NC.

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Fall at Its Best

Posted on September 22, 2011

Outer Banks: 9.22.11 - Perfect Fall Day in KH

Perfect fall day. Sun, 80′s, light southwest wind, water at 72 degrees.

The swell has dropped a bit, but there are a lot of fun waist to chest waves rolling through. Perfect day to soak up the fall sun, enjoy the warm water, and catch some fun surf. And a great day for the ESA finals at Jennette’s Pier.

Take a peek at the live action at the beach in Nags Head with our webcam.

Fall fishing is going strong. Tight lines all around – spot, croakers, speckled trout, black drum, puppy drum, pompano, stripers.

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Surf’s Up?

Posted on September 21, 2011

Outer Banks: 9.21.11 - Swell at Avalon Pier

It’s starting a bit overcast this morning, but it seems like the sun is fighting it’s way out. Air temps are in 80′s and the water is at 74.

The surf is a bit tough to decipher today. There is a onshore, northeast wind, but it’s real light. There is good swell in the water, but the sections are closing pretty quickly. Although, if you find the right spot there are some great A-Frames to be had. However, my diagnosis is that the surf should clean a bit more as tide fills in; so I’m thinking late morning/early afternoon could be some fun waves.

Good day for the ESA finals at Jennette’s Pier. Below is a video with some highlights of the surfing action from yesterday, and you can also tune in live on our webcam just north of Jennette’s Pier.

Fish are biting – spot, stripers, croakers, pompano…and red drum!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 9.20.11 – Great day for the ESA surf competition…

Posted on September 20, 2011

Outer Banks: 9.20.11 - Great Day for ESA

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

This video was shot at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head at 9:00 AM.

Another beautiful fall day. Luckily the weather pattern has changed today. We had a storm system hanging with us for a few days sending rain and stiff northeast winds, but the sun is back today.

Sun, 80′s, and water temps in the mid 70′s. Perfect fall weather. This weather will stick with us for the rest of the week. Maybe an isolated thunder storm, but nothing widespread. A great week to be at the beach.

That storm system, along with Tropical Storm Maria moving through the ocean, has been sending large swell to the OBX since late last week. Unfortunately the northeast wind has not cooperated to clean the waves up, but today is looking decent.

Even though the waves aren’t perfectly clean, this size is great and just in time for Jennette’s Pier to host the ESA finals (Eastern Surf Association) this week and the Outer Banks Pro this weekend. Great week of OBX surf contests!

The waves are overhead today with some great sections coming through. The onshore winds aren’t great, but there are a lot of fun, and big, waves out there for the ESA surfers.

The swell will drop from head to waist over the next few days. The winds won’t be ideal during the week, but it looks like there could be some good opportunities for clean waves. Thursday morning looks small but clean, and the start of the Outer Banks Pro looks like clean waist to chest conditions for Saturday.

It’s awesome to have the surf comps going on this week. There is a lot of activity surrounding the contests. A lot of spectators, Jennette’s Pier is hopping, and the energy and positive vibes are infectious.

Nags Head is happy to be the temporary home for the ESA finals this year. ESA is in their 44th year, and more than 30 of the finals have been held in Hatteras. Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Irene and the continued recovery, the contest needed to move to Nags Head. We are happy to enjoy the ESA experience on the norther OBX this year, but it will be nice to know that Hatteras is up and running and ready to host 2012.

Outer Banks fishing is going well. Settling into fall fishing. Consistent catches on the piers, bridges, surf, and Sound – stripers, croakers, spot, pompano – but the big fishing news is that 3 red drum were hauled in on Jennette’s Pier yesterday, the biggest over 43 inches! Red drum are in the area…and they are big!

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Too Legit to Quit.

Posted on September 15, 2011

Outer Banks: 9.15.11 - Too Legit in Kitty Hawk

The gorgeous fall beach weather is too legit to quit (a nod in MC Hammer’s direction). The perfect fall OBX weather continues today.

Sun, 80′s, light offshore breeze, water at 78 degrees, super fun waist to chest surf – nice and clean from the offshore breeze, and the fish are biting.

Doesn’t get much better. Thanks Mama Nature.

And for the all the MC Hammer fans, break it down…

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 9.14.11 – Great sunrise surf session…

Posted on September 14, 2011

Outer Banks: 9.14.11 - Great Sunrise Surf Session in Kitty Hawk

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, September 14, 2011.

This video was shot at the Kitty Hawk Bath House at 6:45 AM.

I was out of town last week. Sorry for the lack of reports, but it’s great to be back at the beach and back to the reports.

I know I say this a lot, but the fall really is the best time of year on the Outer Banks. September and October are amazing. Sun, 80′s, water at 75 degrees, empty beaches, great surf, and great fishing…plus the rates for vacation rentals are discounted quite a bit from the summer months. If you can spare a few days, I highly recommend a fall OBX trip. No place I’d rather be.

The trend of perfect fall weather continues today; sun, 80′s, water at 75 degrees, almost no wind, waist to chest surf, and the fish are biting. Tomorrow will be more of the same with the surf building a bit more. Friday through Sunday could see a little rain and a stiff northeast wind, but let’s focus on today, shall we?

I was up bright and early this morning to catch the sunrise and a sunrise surf session. The sunrise was gorgeous, as usual, and the surf session was great…I needed it.

When I arrived the surf was a bit smaller than I expected, but it built throughout the session, and by the time I got out at 8:30, it was looking great from the shore.

The surf will build throughout today, and should be in the chest+ range tomorrow with a great offshore breeze cleaning up the waves. Hopefully another sunrise session tomorrow if the wifey gives the OK.

Tropical Storm Maria is moving by the OBX out in the Atlantic, and the swell will build quite a bit from Friday – Sunday; overhead for sure. Unfortunately, the wind won’t cooperate. Hopefully we’ll have some great leftovers early next week. Fingers crossed.

As for fishing, OBX fishing is loving the fall weather. Offshore is catching yellow fin tuna, dolphin, wahoo, and blue marlin. The piers, bridges, surf, and Sound are still real consistent with a wide variety of fish…and some new ones showing up – blue fish, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, spot, pompano, black drum.

Have fun. Hope to see you soon!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf & Fishing Report- 9.8.11- Monster Waves

Posted on September 8, 2011

Good Afternoon! Here is the Outer Banks Beach, Surf and Fishing Report for 9/8/11. This video was shot at the Kitty Hawk Pier in Kitty Hawk NC at 9:30 am.

Adam is out of town this week (we miss him tons!) but were lucky enough to have Bob get out there and give you all the beach report today. Things started out cloudy and rainy here in the OBX with expected isolated storms throughout the day. We’ve got temperatures in the lower 80′s with a light SE breeze and have only had the sun poke its head a couple of times so far.

The surf is a mess today. Wave heights from about 8-15′ scattered around the area. Looks like we are getting the leftovers of tropical storm Katia as she makes her way back out at sea. Unfortunately there are no clean waves and heavy rip current potential out there this morning. Things may change as the day goes on and the wind changes, so we will see.

Fishing remains steady with consistent reports of bluefish, spanish, some bottom fish and throw back trout. The past couple of days have been somewhat slow for fishing because of the strong waves and cold water in the area but will surely be picking back up soon.

The beach looked beautiful today despite the rain and it is an awesome day to get out there and watch these GIGANTIC waves break and searching the beach for washed up treasures.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 9.2.11 – Recovering from Hurricane Irene

Posted on September 2, 2011

9.2.11 - Perfect OBX Fall Weather

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

This video was shot at the Hayman St. beach access in Kill Devil Hills at 9:00 AM.

Happy September, happy Friday. It’s a gorgeous day, and the northern OBX beaches are wide open for business.

Corolla through Nags Head is open and ready to go; beaches, businesses, attractions, and vacation rental homes. We pulled our entire team together to inspect and clean all of our homes this week following Hurricane Irene, and we are happy to report that our homes our in great shape. With the exception of a few minor maintenance issues, our homes are up and ready, including almost all of our pools. We started welcoming guests back as early Monday, and we are looking forward to welcoming guests this weekend.

And it couldn’t be a better time of year to be here! September and October on the Outer Banks is amazing…perfect conditions. The five day forecast shows bright sun with temps at 80 during the day and 70 at night. The water temp is 75 degrees, and the beaches are pretty empty. In addition, prices for vacation rental homes drop significantly in September. Truly the best time of year to be on the OBX.

As a side note, if you have kids back in school, it still could be a great time to come to the Outer Banks. Not sure if this is the same for every state, but in North Carolina, we can take education vacations that do not count as absent days. You need to give notice to the school and explain the educational activities, but it is a great opportunity to enjoy a vacation and learn along the way.

And the OBX is a perfect spot for an educational vacation. We partnered with www.HomeSchool.com this year, and they have given us their “Seal of Approval.” There is an endless amount of great educational opportunities on the OBX…art, history, nature.

But I digress, back to the report. Unfortunately, no surf to report. An east wind is beating up the swell we have, but Sunday and Monday are looking very good. Swell will be with us throughout next week, but the wind won’t be matching up much…just Sunday and Monday at this point.

Swell could be growing significantly by the end of next week. This could be due to the dreaded “H” word! We’ve had enough already, and it’s way too early to tell the path, but Hurricane Katia is out in the Atlantic and moving west. The projections look like it could stay out to sea, so hopefully it just sends us awesome waves. We’ll keep an eye on it.

OBX fishing is heating up again. Still no reports offshore. The fleet has to get their boats back in the water after Hurricane Irene, and Oregon Inlet needs to repair their damages from Irene. Hopefully they’ll be driving again soon. But the piers, bridges, surf, and Sound are getting consistent again with a wide variety of fish (fall OBX fishing is great!) – spot, croaker, pompano, blue fish, speckled trout, and even some puppy drums (no keepers yet).

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

OBX Beach Report & Outer Banks Pro Surf Contest – 9.24.10

Posted on September 24, 2010

Good morning. Here’s your OBX Beach Report for 9.24.10. And, as a bonus, some coverage of the Outer Banks Pro surf contest that started this morning.

This video was shot at about 9AM just south of Jennette’s Pier. It’s a beautiful day with bright sun and highs in the upper 80′s.

The wind has picked up a bit, but is still cleaning up the surf very well. It’s about 8-10 mph out of the south/southwest. The swell is about waist high with the occassional chest high set.

The Outer Banks Pro will run today and tomorrow, possibly Sunday. Based on conditions, they may squeeze it into two days.

Enjoy.