Bigeye, Blackfin, and Yellowfin Tuna all show up in these waters. Over the years, Outer Banks anglers have developed a signature hands-on approach to fishing for these underwater freight trains.īluefin aren’t the only Tuna species around, mind you. OBX is a true Bluefin battleground, where local anglers earn their stripes by reeling in fish several times their body weight. There are a lot of stars in the local lineup, but none of them compare to Bluefin Tuna. You’ll usually take these guys with large live baits like Menhaden. “Smoker Kings” weighing 30 pounds or more come crashing through town each autumn. You just rock up, drop your block, and pretty soon you’ll have a fish on your line.Ĭobia are the springtime favorite, but what if you’re around in the fall? Simple: head to the same spots to take on King Mackerel instead. Cobia are naturally curious fish and locals feed this curiosity by chumming the water. CobiaĮvery spring, Cobia make the local wrecks their home and start throwing their weight at anything that gets in their way – anglers included. Bowfishing and gigging (spearing fish hiding in the mud) are both popular here.
They’ll follow your lure and demolish any small bait that swims too close. All fish looks good once it’s filleted, and you can’t beat the taste of freshly-caught Flounder.įlounder are food fish, but they can still be a hoot to catch. Flounder aren’t exactly pretty (their faces are the stuff of nightmares) but don’t let that put you off. You can’t mention seafood without tipping your hat to everybody’s favorite Flatfish. Bigger “Bull Red” still taste good, but these are the breeder fish and we recommend releasing them if you can – they more than deserve it after the fight they put up. Local anglers usually take them on live bait, but they’ll go after most lures and even flies if you present them right.ĭid we mention that Redfish are also delicious? Smaller “Puppy Drum” produce sweet, flaky meat that’s great however you cook it. They’re the dream inshore sportfish – big, tough, and aggressive. They cruise the beaches and sounds, looking for food or a fight. Redfish dominate the shallows in the Outer Banks. Here are a few of the species you can target. In short, you’re surrounded by every game fish’s dream hunting grounds. Turn the other for warm ocean currents and big game monsters.
FISH HEADS OUTER BANKS PIER FULL
Head one way, and you find shallow waters full of inshore predators. Outer Banks anglers enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned seadog, get ready to head out and catch the fish of a lifetime. What can you catch around the Outer Banks? How should you fish, and where’s the best place to do so? We’ll cover all this and more in a full rundown of the local angling scene.