Surf Fishing

• With miles of open beach and easy access, surf fishing the Outer Banks can be enjoyed year round. The fall and spring are the best times of year as schools of migrating fish make their way north or south. Blue fish, spotted sea trout, Spanish mackerel and pompano top the list of fish sought by surf anglers. The usual surf fishing outfit is a long rod (9 to 14 feet) with a large spooled reel. Pyramid sinkers are use to anchor the line against the surf and currents. Baits used most often are cut pieces of fish, crabs, shrimp and sand fleas.
  
  

Offshore Bottom Fishing

• Head boats, also called party boats, can be found at most of the marinas on the Outer Banks. The captains know the area well and have their favorite places. Grouper, flounder, cobia and Spanish mackerel are often caught on these trips. Tackle for bottom fishing has to be stout. You want a rod that is no longer than 7 feet and heavy with a conventional reel. Your line should be at least 50-pound test with a couple of ounces of weight to get to the bottom. You can rent rods and reels if you do not have appropriate tackle. Bait is usually cut fish, whole small fish like sardines or menhaden or live bait. The technique is to disengage the spool, letting the weight carry the bait to the bottom. Once it reaches the bottom, reel back about a foot or two of line.
  
  

Offshore Trolling

• Charter fishing boats are plentiful in the Outer Banks. The boat will provide all the bait and tackle you need. Marlin, tuna and cobia are favorite species to catch while offshore trolling. If you head out on your own, you want a heavy rod of 7 feet or shorter, a conventional reel with at least 50-pound test line. Baits can be artificial trolling lures, live or dead fish or strips of fish. Set up several lines at different distances from the stern, using different baits to increase your chances of attracting fish. Trolling around the many wrecks in the area will put you on the fish.
  
  

Inshore Fishing

• Red drum, sea trout and flounder among other fish are abundant in the inshore waters of the Outer Banks. Tackle should include a 6- to 7-foot rod with either a bait casting reel or spinning reel spooled with 10- to 20-pound test line. Fly rods are 8 weight with an 8 weight floating line. Baits are cut fish, whole live fish, crabs or shrimp and fly's are deceiver, streamer, shrimp and crab patterns. Look for grass flats with nearby deep cuts leading to open water. The fish will hold in the deep water during low tides, moving into the shallows to feed during high tides.
  
  

Freshwater Fishing

• In the northern Outer Banks around Currituck Sound you'll find small freshwater lakes and ponds. Bass fishing in these ponds is excellent with little fishing pressure. Fish early morning or late afternoon with soft baits such as plastic worms or hard baits such as crankbaits. Minnows and shiners are good live bait choices. Use a 6- to 7-foot rod with either a bait casting or spinning reel and 10- to 15-pound test line. Fly-fish for bass using an 8 weight rod with 8 weight floating line. Fly patterns include poppers, streamers and woolly buggers.