Outer banks surf fishing in July

fishingnuke · 06-24-2007, 06:59 PM

My brotherinlaw is renting a place on the outbanks in July. what can he catch off the beach, any plugging possible. He wants me to set him up with some stuff for the trip.

Highlander1 · 06-26-2007, 01:32 PM

Nuke - Been going to OBX for yaers in July, the surfs pretty much dead except spot and croaker, a 2 lb. croaker would be the talk of the beach. Occasionally spanish mackeral make an appearance but I've never caught any, I did manage a few pompano one year but that was the only year.

They do some interesting pier fishing at night for shark and cobia where the drift baits out 1/4 mile or more, never partook but I wander around in the middle of the night and I've watched the process, once watched a cobia over 60lbs being taken, ugly nasty fish but quite a battler.

Its strictly an offshore game or watching the sites kind of place. I'll be there the week of the 14th thru the 22nd.

Now, if you wanna go there from around December 15 till the middle of January its striper territory, big fish, lots of open beach, night fishing, plugging, kind of the way its 'posed to be.

Sparky · 07-04-2007, 11:21 AM

Highlander gives some good advice.

If the spanish do show up, they like small metal retreived quickly as well as Gotcha's. Taylor blues will also respond to these. These lures can be found in any tackle shop down there. Leave the plugs at home.

Pompano love the sandbar cuts. They are often right at your feet. No need to buy bait for these little guys, just dig up some sand fleas.
Spot and croaker will be your main fare. They're not particular, shrimp and squid work well.

I know in August the fluke (flounder) can be pretty thick around the sandbars. Mostly shorts, but still fun. It could be worth it to try for them.

Steve in Mass knows the soundside pretty well. He's full of tips for trout, flounder and crabs.

NS Mike D · 07-07-2007, 12:15 PM

I am heading there in two weeks. I was planning on taking my surf gear, but wonder if it makes sense to bring the kayaks.

Would a kayak make much of a difference?

Any suggestions

Porktown · 07-09-2007, 10:59 AM

An easy way to catch sand fleas, is with a fine mesh crabbing net. Find the "V" wake that they make in the sand, to find a colony. Wait for a wave to come in, and put the net down. Many times, you'll end up with 50 fleas in one scoop. This will usually get you a bunch of different size ones too. Not that digging for them is all that hard, but keeps you from getting sand under your nails and chapping your fingers up. A morning of digging for them, when they are not plentiful, will make your fingers hurt for a few days.