Outer banks fishing advice?

[wvyen]

Hello all,

I am heading down to the Outer banks on August 23 for the annual family vacation. For the first time I will be bring my new 15 ft V-bottom w/ a 20hp outboard on it. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what my best fishing options would be. I am assuming I will be limited to the sound? Probably targeting trout. Let me know if i am accurate here and the best way to go about this and what any of my other options would be. Thanks
Benny

[zonker]

15 foot is pretty small, even for the sound. But on a calm day you could fish around the Bonner Bridge, which connects Bodie Island and Pea Island, for trout, blues and drum. Another option is the three bridges which connect Roanoke Island (Manteo) with the mainland and Nags Head. Schoolie stripers hang out in that part of the sound. There are other boat ramps into the sound which aren't near bridges. Frank Folb at Frank and Fran's in Avon can give you good advice about those. Contact him when you arrive and he'll give you the latest reports. Where on the Outer Banks will you be staying?

[Scorpio]

This is an inflatable correct? If it is, twenty horsepower is more than enough for 15 ft however, caution is the order of the day!

[Dave588]

You can fish a 15' all over the sound. I've taken a 14' to the Bonner Bridge and on a really clear day out. I've been on sportfishing charters going out and coming in where small boats have flocked around us. I've seen some pretty serious waves appear instantly at the bridge. The tide under there is unforgiving.
As the other poster mentioned, Caution is the order of the day. Beware of running under large vessels and tying off to the bridge.

[brooksobx]

I've got a 16' semi-v with a 15 on it and have a lot of fun in the sound. You didn't say where on the Outer Banks you were going and that makes a big difference. Northern OB has all the bridges and a lot of sheltered areas you can fish depending on which way the wind blows. I'm not as familiar with Hatteras Island sound side but Hatteras Jacks or Frank & Frans can bring you up to speed. Keep an eye on the weather and the wind, it changes very quickly and can get you into trouble. Good Luck!

[wvyen]

my boat is not an inflatable, it is actually an aluminum V-bottom. We went out of Pirates Cove yesterday and fished around the reeds and the bridge with no luck, then my trolling motor petered out so we headed back, thinking about heading out of Oregon Inlet tomorrow! I appreciate all the help and advice, keep it coming, hopefully other people can find it useful too.

[bhorsley]

Few spanish in the ocean--best of it about 12 miles south of the inlet. Should be some bluefish on the north side of the inlet

[Dave588]

Oregon Inlet has nice ramps plus the fishing center store has ice and everything. I'd normally watch the depth carefully, setup on the south side of the bridge, inside on the sound.

[wvyen]

we caught one blue, fishing the edge of old house channel today, gonna try around the northern half of Roanoke island on Thursday, if the weather permits.

[wvyen]

fricken fay shut me out for the week, but I did end up with abut 15lbs. shrimps with my 4ft cast net just off the mainland near the new bridge. Hopefully better luck in the fall.