Outer Banks Fishing

Looking to get out on the water? Crystal Dawn, docked at Pirate's Cove Marina on the Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, is a comfortable, 65-foot, double-decker party boat / head boat that's all about good times on the water. Whether you want to take the kids fishing in the sound and around Oregon Inlet or gather up your friends and family for a party cruise around Roanoke Island, they have got you covered. For sightseeing on the sound, Sunset Cruises are offered from 6 to 7:30 pm nightly in April, May, September and October. During the summer season in June, July, and August cruises are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Along the way you'll see lighthouses, historic sites, working watermen and wildlife like birds and dolphin. Crystal Dawn is available for private charters for birthday and anniversary celebrations, bachelor and bachelorette parties, small weddings, school groups, ashes at sea ceremonies, family functions and more. The boat can accommodate up to 100 passengers. On one of their half-day head boat fishing trips, you'll catch fish such as flounder, croaker, spot, trout, sea mullet, sea bass and more, depending on the season and conditions. All bait, tackle and licenses are furnished, and this is a great way to introduce kids to fishing. The on-board mate can help with everything. They limit the number of passengers on fishing trips to 50 for the comfort of all passengers. Ask about other tours, including the 4th of July Fireworks Cruise and Purple Martin Excursions in late July and early August.

The place to be in Nags Head during the summer season, Jennette’s Pier offers anglers a wide variety of fish to target while sightseers can watch brown pelicans overhead and bottlenose dolphins swimming in the sea. The pier is surrounded by wide, clean public beaches, free parking and a bathhouse, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from near and far. Owned and operated by the N.C. Aquariums, this state-of-the-art facility includes large aquariums in its pier house alongside educational exhibits, restrooms and a remodeled Pier Shop. There, visitors can find Jennette’s Pier t-shirts, hats, visors and plushies. Anglers can also find everything they need for a day of fishing, including different types of rod and reel combos, bait and tackle. Ice-cold drinks, snacks and souvenir items are also available in the gift shop.

The Pier property serves as a frequent venue for community events, and the upstairs Oceanview Hall is available to book for wedding receptions.

Education is a strong suit of Jennette’s Pier. The pier has emerged as a must-see place for schools to visit on the coast. In the past decade, they’ve averaged around 8,000 to 10,000 North Carolina students a year. They host school groups on field trips, offer week-long summer camps and teach Family Fishing – a rundown on the angling essentials – for $20. Check out the Surfside Classroom, or sign up for Family Fishing offered weekdays all summer at 9 a.m. Pier staff also keep busy with two important conservation organizations – the OBX Marine Mammal Stranding Network and the Responsible Pier Initiative, which promises to help protect sea turtles.

The pier has a blanket license for all anglers, so if you don’t have a fishing license, you’re covered. A daily fishing pass costs $14 for adults and $7 for children ages 12 and younger. A three-day pass costs $36, and a seven-day pass is $80 (children pay half on passes). Walk-on passes cost $2 for adults and $1 for children. Rods can be rented by the day for $12 (photo ID required). Ask about prices for annual passes, family passes and pin rig passes. 

For more information about their events and pier programs, call or see their social media pages. Jennette’s is open year-round except on Thanksgiving and Christmas days. In season, from May through October, their hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Off-season hours vary, so call ahead.

OBX Bait and Tackle is an angler’s paradise. Conveniently located in Corolla’s Monteray Plaza to serve the northern beaches and beyond, OBX Bait and Tackle is a full-service tackle shop that specializes in freshwater and surf-fishing equipment along with rods and reels at all price levels, a wide variety of fresh and frozen bait, crabbing supplies and other necessities such as coolers, ice, soft drinks, sunglasses and sunscreen. You can even gear up on apparel with their extensive line of clothing that includes both souvenir t-shirts and fast-drying, UV-protective clothing from top brands such as Salt Life, Costa and Hux. OBX Bait and Tackle is the only shop on the northern beaches that carries fishing licenses, making it the perfect place for one-stop shopping. The folks at OBX Bait and Tackle can arrange offshore, nearshore and inshore fishing charters for everyone from the novice to the pro, and family groups are always welcome. Stop by, call ahead or visit their website for more information, and be sure to check out their free daily fishing reports. 

TW’s Bait and Tackle, located in Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, has been locally owned and operated for 40 years. They are the anglers’ landmark destinations for the latest and greatest selection of inshore, offshore, surf and freshwater tackle. Each location is a full-service tackle shop offering quality tackle from top manufacturers such as Penn, Shimano, Daiwa, Z-Man, Berkley Gulp, MirrOlure and Yeti, to name a few. When it comes to bait, TW’s has it covered from lively eels, bloodworms and minnows to fresh mullet and shrimp to a huge selection of frozen fish-catching delicacies. If you love offshore fishing, TW’s also carries Baitmasters ballyhoo, Islander Lures, Fathom and Bluewater Candy. They have fun and functional clothing for the whole family too, including brands such as Huk, Pelagic, Salty Crew, Costa, Avid, Drake, Marshwear, Aftco and Banded. They have a huge selection of Xtratuf boots. There’s a great collection of gifts as well, including Tervis, Swig, Mudpie and Yeti drinkware. TW’s custom t-shirts, sweats, hats and decals have been seen all over the country. TW’s is one-stop shopping for those who love to fish or just look like they do. The shops have a friendly atmosphere and a helpful, experienced staff. Stop by, purchase your license, weigh a fish and share your fishing story.