Need the future for July/August

[jeepster04]

I'm going to be headed down to Emerald Isle (a lil south from most on here I would think). I will be down there the last week in July/first in August. Im debating whether or not to charter an off shore boat or not? How is the surf fishing that time of year. There is a pier a few miles away from where I am staying. Thanks

[jellybear]

Go across the bridge to Morehead City and you will find a large fleet of charter boats,you can go to the Gulf Stream or just offshore for a Half or whole day.These guys know their stuff.There are also some really good seafood joints there too.If you want you can ride over to Beaufort and spend a day there, its an old Sailing town and more good places to eat and people watch.

[kip]

It really depends......as Jellybear indicated, lots of charter and headboat opportunitites along the causeway (sp) between Morehead and Altantic Beach. In so far as surf fishing, it's a crap shoot. Fort Macon (turn left at the light in Atlantic Beach) is a terrific place to see, hang out, and do a little surf fishing. Typically the blues are pretty consistent, spanish were not around much last year, whereas in years past I've had no trouble catching them, pompano are usually right in the wash (and mighty tasty), and puppy drum can be caught. Most of the piers are now out of action as they have been sold and the land is being used to build new gigantic oceanfront homes. The beaches tend to get crowded during the day with sunbathers and swimmers. I tend to fish early and late to avoid problems. Mostly in the summer time I'm heaving metal, and moving along the beach rather than stay in one place. At the other end of the island Emerald Isle (where I live) the beaches have recently be renourished, the last time it happened the beaches were essentially dead for a year. The inlet (Bogue Inlet) down at the end of Coast Guard Road has been productive, the problem is parking as there is one public parking lot about 2 blocks from the access on Channel Drive. With the recent beach erosion, the end of the walkway is no longer there and the drop is about 4' the last time I was there. The very end access (about 4 blocks from the parking area) has a very long beach now, and I have heard that it can be productive, but I haven't had the time to check it out (long story). When school gets out (teacher) I'll be spending some time fishing and working on the house. Shoot me a PM before you come and I'll be able to give you a better report and maybe wet a line together. Saltydawg is also a local and fishes more than I do, so maybe he'll chime in here as well.

The best part of this area is the relaxation, fishing is just a bonus.....


Ps. If you are looking for an inshore charter there are several people who can put you on fish including Capt Gordon, who also is a teacher (so is Saltydawg) and hangs out around here (this forum) on occasion, and George Beckwith (Downeast Guide Service) who does tarpon and drum in the summertime (he books pretty quickly).

[jeepster04]

Thanks everyone. KIP, this is the families 9th year of going to E.I. Last year I went out w/Lee Manning out of Swansboro. Did good w/mac's and a black tip shark. I have all of the the charters scoped out, but not sure if I can get anyone else to go with me. 2 summers ago we rented a skiff from a marina that was down the road that the CVS & a plaza across are on (forget the name). I was thinking about doing that if it was cheap enough. When we did it, we didn't get anything in Bogue Sound. Since your from Emerald Isle, is the pier gone now? Im just thinking of some options for mostly me and possibly 2 others. I think im saving my offshore money for up here (jersey beach goer). The only other possiblity is doing a party boat. A lot to think about but I will keep in touch fo sure and try to get together when i get down there. If your buddys with one of the captains and your interested in a trip, lemme know.

[kip]

Sure thing......its K & V plaza across from CVS, the Bogue Inlet Pier has been sold and there was a big effort by the town and frequent users to buy it and keep it operating as a pier and reserch center for Duke Marine lab, but it fell through and its future is uncertain at this time..... I have a trip booked with George on the 31st of July (my second ever guided trip) for tarpon and drum, and don't know exactly who will be going......it is a little on the expensive side, though......

Like I said, I'll have a clearer idea of what's going on closer to the time when you come down and hopefully be able to provide some better information (first hand). Hopefully, the boss (da wife) will let me play a little bit this summer , I've certainly earned it........