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.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 6.24.11 – Great start to the weekend…

Posted on June 24, 2011

Outer Banks - 6.24.11 - Great Start to the Weekend at Avalon Pier

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, June 24, 2011.

This video was shot at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 9:00 AM.

Happy Friday! We’ve had great weather all week, and it will carry through the weekend. There was an amazing sunset last night after a much needed thunderstorm, so I’ll include a pic of that too.

A bit overcast this morning, but overall a great start to the weekend. We’ll have a mix of sun and clouds today, with temps in the upper 80′s, and light southwest wind. A very comfortable beach day…and weekend.

The southwest wind is cleaning the tiny wave we have coming through, so there is a clean longboard wave, but it’s only in the knee high range. This is the story for the weekend too. Knee high waves, offshore wind through Saturday, and on Sunday the wind switches to the east. Unfortunately, not too exciting for OBX surf, but we had some fun surf and warm water this week, so no complaints.

OBX fishing is hitting its stride. Offshore is seeing dolphin, tuna and some bill fish mixed in. Near shore, piers, bridges, Sound, and surf are all very active with a wide variety of fish – croaker, spot, speckled trout, sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, blue fish, Cobia. Great time to be fishing on the OBX…tight lines all around!

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 6.22.11 – Perfect Beach Day!

Posted on June 22, 2011

Outer Banks - 6.22.11 - Perfect day at Kitty Hawk Pier

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, June 22, 2011.

This video was shot at the Kitty Hawk Pier and a quick stop at the Lillian St. beach access at 9:00 AM.

Perfect beach day. Sun, 90 degree temps, 70 degree water temps, and a light offshore breeze out of the southwest cleaning up the surf.

Clean chest high surf coming in. The surf will die down today, but the wind is going to stay out of the southwest for the next few days, so there should be a clean longboard wave through the rest of the week.

Outer Banks fishing is going strong. Offshore is seeing dolphin, tuna, and some bill fish. The piers, bridges, Sound, and surf are all very consistent with a wide variety of fish – blue fish, spot speckled trout, croaker, flounder, sea mullet, cobia, etc.

Always a great time to be on the OBX…especially now!

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 6.20.11 – Great start to the week…

Posted on June 20, 2011

Outer Banks - 6.20.11 - Great start in Kill Devil Hills

Good afternoon. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, June 20, 2011.

This video was shot at the Wright Brothers Memorial and the Hayman St. beach access, both in Kill Devil Hills, at 9:00 AM.

Happy belated Father’s Day. Hope all of the Dad’s enjoyed their day. I was lucky enough to share Father’s Day with with my boy’s first birthday, so it was a great day. Happy birthday Finn!

It was a great day because of the weather too. The weekend was gorgeous with 80 degree temps, sun, and a light breeze, and the great weather is going to continue this week. The 10 day forecast is sun, 80′s, and a few isolated thunderstorms. The showers will not be widespread, and really the plants could use a drink.

Unfortunately, not much surf to report. A small bump out there today (happy International Surfing Day, by the way), but not much going on, and the wind isn’t going to cooperate to start the week. But the wind will switch offshore around Wednesday, and we could have some fun knee to waist longboard waves towards the end of the week. Coupled with the great weather, it should be fun to catch any surf rolling through.

Outer Banks fishing is going strong. Offshore is seeing dolphin, tuna, and a few bill fish mixed in. Cobia are hot near shore. The bridges, piers, and Sound are all active with a wide variety of fish – croaker, sea mullet, spot, speckled trout, blue fish, Spanish mackerel. And the great news is that surf fishing is getting more consistent as well. Great time to be fishing on the OBX!

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 6.17.11 – Let the beach weekend begin!

Posted on June 17, 2011

Outer Banks - 6.17.11 - Great Day at Avalon Pier

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, June 17, 2011.

This video was shot at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 9:00 AM…then a quick stop at the Lillian St. beach access.

Happy Friday! It’s been a mild week on the OBX with temps in the upper 70′s and lower 80′s all week, but just in time for the weekend, the temps are jumping into the 90′s! There’s a mix of sun and clouds this morning, with a few showers (the plants are loving it!), but the sun will be out this afternoon, and temps will climb to the 90′s. Sun and 90′s all weekend.

There is a nice offshore wind out of the southwest adding a cool breeze to the day. The offshore wind is perfect for cleaning up the little swell we have in the area. The swell is only in the knee to waist range, but it is very clean with the southwest wind. The water is warm, the air is hot, and the surf is clean, so even if it’s small, it’s a good day to be in the water. Definitely worth a longboard session.

Outer Banks fishing is getting better everyday. Offshore is seeing dolphin, big eye tuna and some bill fish mixed in. The piers, bridges, and Sound are very active with a wide variety of fish – blue fish, Spanish mackerel, flounder, spot, speckled trout, croaker – but the big catch of the day is cobia! Our friends over at Rock Solid Fishing (www.RockSolidFishing.com) gave us a great report from their near shore fishing trip yesterday, and they landed four big cobia, with the biggest topping out at almost 80 pounds!

Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 6.15.11 – Great Beach Weather

Posted on June 15, 2011

Outer Banks - 6.15.11 - Beautiful Day in Kitty Hawk

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

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

Perfect beach weather, sun, upper 70′s to lower 80′s with water temps in the 70′s! There is a cool north wind that is a bit stiff today, but that north wind is blowing in the warmer water temps, so no complaints. The water and the air will be pretty close today. Great day to enjoy some time in the water.

Unfortunately, no surf to report. There is a trace swell in the knee high range, but this north wind isn’t helping to clean it up. The wind will switch to the southwest over the next couple days, but the swell isn’t forecasted to increase much. It could build to the waist high range, and with an offshore wind and warm water, it could be a fun longboard wave over the next couple days. Worth keeping an eye on.

Outer Banks fishing is going strong. Offshore is reporting dolphin and big eye tuna with some bill fish mixed in. The piers, bridges, and Sound are very consistent with a wide variety of fish – sea mullet, flounder, spot, speckled trout, blue fish, Spanish mackerel, cobia. Our friends at Rock Solid Fishing (www.RockSolidFishing.com) reported some good cobia catches near shore yesterday. The reports out of the surf are starting to get more consistent as well.

Have fun!

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Picture Perfect at Kitty Hawk Beach

Posted on June 14, 2011

Outer Banks - 6.14.11 - Picture Perfect in Kitty Hawk

Picture perfect on the Outer Banks today. Sun, 80′s, cool north breeze. Great beach day, and the north wind is bringing in some warmer water temps – up to 75 degrees at Avalon Pier this morning. Unfortunately no surf. Fish are biting – blue fish, flounder spot, speckled trout, cobia, Spanish mackerel, dolphin and big eye tuna offshore.

Outer Banks’ Tortugas’ Lie Voted North Carolina’s Best Seafood

Posted on June 13, 2011

Coastal Living Magazine recently released their annual guide, outlining the best eats across the country. Since the Outer Banks is known for their delicious fresh seafood, it was no surprise to learn that Tortugas’ Lie of Nags Head was voted best seafood in North Carolina.

From grilled yellowfin tuna, to spicy creole crawdads, Tortugas’ Lie has a large menu and offers daily specials including a Wednesday night Sushi menu. Aside from the food the restaurant offers a great island atmposhere including an outdoor volleyball net out back, a great staff, and awesome drinks.

It is definitely a must stop on your next Outer Banks Vacation, great seafood and perfect for the whole family. Make sure you check their website when you get here for their daily specials and menu! You can even order takeout online!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 6.13.11 – Great Beach Week

Posted on June 13, 2011

Outer Banks - 6.13.11 - Pretty at 5th St.

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, June 13, 2011.

This video was shot at 9:00 AM at the 5th St. beach access in Kill Devil Hills just south of the Avalon Pier.

The great weather from the weekend is carrying into this week. Looking at the 10 day forecast, it’s 80′s and sun with a few isolated thunder storms for this week. Ideal beach weather.

We have a light north wind today, and unfortunately, the wind is not cleaning the waist high swell in the area. So, the surf today will be a bit sloppy, and it doesn’t look like we’ll have much surf this week. But the good news is the north wind usually brings in some warmer water, so the water temps should be rising the next couple days. With warm and warm water, it could still be a fun week to get in the water and catching any swell that’s coming through.

Outer Banks fishing is getting better everyday. Offshore is seeing dolphin, big eye tuna, and some bill fish. The piers, bridges, and Sound are very consistent with a wide variety of fish – spot, speckled trout, flounder, blue fish, Spanish mackerel, croaker, cobia. We are also starting to get more consistent reports out of the surf, and as the water temps continue to rise, the surf casting will get better and better.

Have fun!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 6.10.11 – Great Beach Weekend!

Posted on June 10, 2011

Outer Banks - 6.10.11 - Summer at Sutton in KDH

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, June 10, 2011.

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

Great start to the weekend. Another perfect summer day, and this perfection will stick with us through the weekend. Bright sun, temps hovering around 90 degrees, and nice offshore breeze heading out of the southwest. Great weekend to be at the beach!

Unfortunately, not much surf to report. There is a trace swell coming through in the knee high range, and the offshore wind is cleaning it up nicely, but that’s about all we can expect from the weekend. A longboard wave about knee high. Not too exciting, but then again, a perfect weekend to be in the water, so might as well ride what there is. Looks like the swell could pick up next week, but not sure if the wind will cooperate. We’ll keep you posted.

OBX fishing is going at full force. Offshore is seeing dolphin with some bill fish mixed in. The piers, bridges, and Sound are all active with a wide variety of fish – blue fish, trout, spot, croaker, flounder, Spanish mackerel, sea mullet, cobia. There is limited action out of the surf, but that should continue to improve everyday.

Have fun!