NJ to OBX driving and fishing help...John M?

[mikematt]

Hey guys,

I am a NJ guy who will be in South Nags Head (MP18) for the Wright Bros week (Dec 13-20). I had a bunch of questions for anyone who might know. John M, if memory serves you know NJ and OBX pretty good.

-Are stripers running that time of year?
-From the Trenton area whats the best way to go? Bay bridge/tunnel or 95 to Richmond and hang a left? The internet map sites are not in agreement.
-The beaches look real flat in the pics I've seen, is that true?
-Assuming stripers are around, my approach would be to fish clams during the day and plug at night. Also, being prepared during the day if the fish should happen to push bait on shore. Is this a good approach for down there? Do the bass come in tight once it gets dark? I would be fishing right off the sand, I am not a pier or inlet fan. My true love is plugging in the dark. My only experience is in NJ so I am not sure what to expect.
Thanks for any help

[Mudd]

I'm sure JohnM will give you all the details.

No clams, BUNKER! Day and Night. Plugging at night can work but the fish here are not as concentrated as in the North so you work very hard. When the fish do school and push bait to the beach, most throw 2-4 ounce metal, i.e hopkins, kastmasters, crockdiles...

[Mick83]

http://www.stripersonline.com/cgi-bi...;f=25;t=000284

[piney]

I also stay in that area,everything has changed with izzie.(House with big yellow flower)We fish beach at night with bait(bait store by Sam & Omies or Tw's by food lion) & during day fish bridges with boat over in manteo, best around piling 26-30. beach bum charters or some of the others fish this area, I take my 16' key west. Capt. Duke Charter boat out of oregon inlet is good boat for stripers(Oregon inlet fishing center on web)I buy my worms & clams up here as the worms sold down there are small.
Sound stipers where 18"limit & wed sat&sun. keeper days
check regs. as they may have changed.

[John M]

That will be striper time for sure. Bunker, metal and plygs willall take bass. Dont forget the teasers

How to go?

Take the bay bridge tunnel.

Gimme a call if ya want, I can let ya know whats what down there easier onthe phone.

[halfhitch]

i have a place in whalehead, and am down there about once a month. The fastest way down there is as follows:
-Take the turnpike to the end, cross Del. bridge.
-Rt 13 South, becomes Rt 1 south (toll rd)
-Stay on rt 1 until exit 97 (13 south, Salisbury-Norfolk)
-Stay on rt 13 through Maryland and Virgina to CBBT
-After bridge/tunnel, take rt 13 through virgina beach to rt 64 EAST-(Cheasapeake, Suffolk).
-rt. 64 to exit 291-B,(nags head, manteo) After exit get to left and take 168 south, (nags head, manteo)
-stay on 168 into NC, where 168 becomes 158 to island

Fastest way, I live in Bedminster, It takes just about 7 hrs to get onto the island

[HatterasJack]

I've used that path for 30 years, I agree. But once a month is a heckuva lot of wheel time. You must love driving.