Nags Head Fishing
Folks, especially fishy folks, know that Nags Head fishing is some of the best you can get. From flounder and stripers to tuna and billfish, our waters are rich in species. Nags Head surf fishing is probably the most popular way to wet a line here, but you’ll also find anglers piloting small boats for inshore excursions, dropping a line from the piers and Nags Head Causeway or checking out the marinas for offshore Outer Banks fishing adventures.
Knowing what’s running seasonally and at the moment helps get you started. You can answer those Outer Banks fishing questions a number of ways. One way is to stop in at a Nags Head fishing pier. The people who run these piers know what’s biting and how to get it to bite your line - in other words what bait and rods to use (and maybe even how to hold your mouth for that important finishing touch). They can also advise you on the Nags Head surf fishing experience. Heck, probably anything you need to know about the overall Outer Banks fishing scene, these folks can tell you. The same will be true at the many tackle shops you’ll find up and down the area. Another great local source is books written by a local fellow named Joe Malet. He’s written several illustrated tomes, Surf Fishing and Pier Fishing and the new Let’s Go Crabbing that specifically speak to species and methods for our area. He also runs a fishing school that we’ve listed below.
So, if haven’t already qualified for the Nags Head, NC, fisherperson of the year award and want to go for the title this vacation, what do you do? Well, you can follow the advice of the folks mentioned above, grab your gear and get yourself to the ocean or sound. Or if you want your feet to leave terra firma, you can venture out into the Outer Banks waters in your own personal vessel or rent one while you’re here. If guidance is needed, you’ll find plenty through the marinas where experienced captains and mates book a variety of half- and full-day fishing charters including head boat fishing (a big boat that generally fishes inshore and charges “by the head”) and Gulf Stream excursions. The tackle shops are a good place to investigate fishing regulations. The waters are patrolled, and limits and size restrictions are strictly enforced. Ask the people you talk with to guide you on appropriate bait and lures to give you a positive head start. Piers rent tackle, or you can bring your own or make purchases while here. Citation fish add to the lure of our waters. Learn more about these award-winning fish at any number of official weigh stations running along the Outer Banks including those in Nags Head listed below.
Avalon Fishing Pier
- 2111 N. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 6, Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-7494
Avalon Fishing Pier was built in 1958 and is 696 feet. They offer day passes for $10, with discounts on three-day, weekly and seasonal fishing passes. Children's passes are available to kids 12 and younger. The pier is open from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. in the summer months, and in the spring and fall it opens at 6 a.m. and usually closes before 10 p.m. You can buy bait here and rent tackle, and they even give you advice about what you need to catch what's biting.
Bill Ernst Surf Fishing Lessons
- Various locations throughout the Outer Banks, Nags Head
- (252) 581-0066
Your guide, Bill Ernst, has been surf fishing the Outer Banks coastline for more than 30 years. He is a natural teacher with a true passion for fishing. In two hours, students truly learn the basics, such as attaching a rig, baiting a hook and casting techniques. Affordable prices that include gear and bait make this a great family outing. He serves the northern beaches from Nags Head to Corolla. Give him a ring to make your reservation.
Fishing Unlimited
- 7665 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Nags Head
- (252) 441-5028
They have it all at Fishing Unlimited, including rental rods and reels, bait and tackle, crabbing supplies and a crabbing pier. You can cruise the waterways in one of the 23-foot pontoon boats and 16-foot skiffs or inshore charter boats that are rented here at their causeway location. If you are in the mood to wet a line, you can crab or fish from Fishing Unlimited's 650-foot pier in South Nags Head (see Outer Banks Pier listing). The pier is open 24 hours a day, and if you didn't bring what you need to go for the fish, tackle rentals and bait are available. The pier's restaurant serves breakfast and lunch.
Jennette’s Pier
- 7229 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Beach Road, MP 16.5, Nags Head
- (252) 441-6421
Jennette's Pier is currently closed. The old structure has been demolished and a new, 850-foot-long pier and two-story pier house are to be built. The new pier will be built on concrete pilings, the first pier of its kind on the Outer Banks. The North Carolina Aquarium Society manages the pier, and the new structure will continue to be a family-oriented venue. The fishing pier will still offer anglers and sightseers passes, but you will also appreciate educational programs and aquarium exhibits. Exhibits include fish tanks up to 300 gallons and an introduction to local species called Giants of the Sea. The exhibit includes representatives of state record-holding saltwater fish mounts. It gives a great perspective on the size of record catches. Don't miss this educational stop when the pier reopens.
Joe Malat’s Outer Banks Surf Fishing School
- Various Locations, Nags Head
- (252) 202-4189
Experienced angler/author Joe Malat offers fall and spring courses – two and a half days of school including classroom and on the beach instruction. The cost of the course includes bait, a copy of his surf fishing book, classroom materials, an evening social and lunch on the classroom day. Malat and his staff teach you how to read the beach, identify species, cast, tie knots and drive on the beach. You'll also learn about tackle, lures and bait.
Lifesaver Rent-Alls
- 1006 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 9, Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-6048, (800) 635-2764
Lifesaver Rent-Alls has fishing rods available for rent. Ask about delivery.
Nags Head Fishing Pier
- 3335 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Beach Road, MP 12, Nags Head
- (252) 441-5141
The popular 750-foot pier features a bait and tackle shop, game tables and a restaurant with an ocean view. In season, the pier is open 24 hours a day. Rent tackle here or bring your own. Daily, weekly and seasonal fishing passes are available with varying fees for adults and children. If you're not into fishing, you can purchase a sightseeing pass. Nearby cottage rentals are available. The pier closes in December and opens in the spring, with the opening date depending on the fishing.
Nags Head Guide Service
- 183 Dogwood Trail, (Manteo), Nags Head
- (252) 475-1555
Captain David Dudley invites you to come explore the sounds and backwaters of the Outer Banks. Family owned and operated, they have been offering fishing charters for half-day, near full-day and full-day for one to four people for more than 25 years. They provide all the necessary supplies. The Outer Banks also offers one of the best environments for fly fishing and light tackle rods. Nothing beats the feel of reeling in fish while enjoying all the natural beauty the Outer Banks has to offer. All of their captains are U.S. Coast Guard certified, and they guarantee that you'll catch a fish!
Ocean Atlantic Rentals
- 2001 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 9.5, Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-7823
A variety of recreational equipment is available here including surf casting equipment and kayak rentals. They offer delivery.
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
- 98 N.C. Highway 12, Bodie Island just before the Oregon Inlet Bridge, Nags Head
- (252) 441-6301
Charter a variety of in-shore and off-shore fishing ventures including half-day and full-day trips and head boat excursions. Trips are booked year-round with experienced captains and mates (weather permitting). Anglers go for a variety of species depending on the season including marlin, tuna, dolphin, king mackerel, stripers, drum, bluefish and cobia. All tackle and bait are provided. Bring your own food. The center includes a store chock-full of tackle, bait, snacks, T-shirts and hats. Check out the world record blue marlin mount (1973) displayed in an outdoor case. Air pump, boat ramp, restrooms and ample parking are available.
Outer Banks Fishing School
- Various locations throughout the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk
- (252) 255-2004
With experienced instructors including Coast Guard-licensed charter boat captains, local fly fishermen, kayak and surf fishing guides, and local top anglers, the Outer Banks Fishing School can give you the tools you need to successfully catch fish using conventional spinning gear, bait casting gear, fly rods or heavy trolling equipment. Private and public lessons are available in surf-casting, pier fishing, fly tying and casting, wading in the sound, sound fishing in boat, near-shore ocean fishing and off-shore Gulf Stream fishing. They offer day-long seminars for beginner, intermediate and advanced saltwater anglers and have an eco-friendly kayak fishing program as well. If you need some help with outfitting your boat or getting familiar with local navigation, they offer a "Mate for a Day" program on your boat staffed by licensed captains. Whether you are completely new to saltwater fishing or an old salty pro, the friendly staff at the Outer Banks Fishing school will put you on the local fish during the season you're visiting. What you learn with them you can use for a lifetime.
Outer Banks Pier and Fishing Center
- 8901 S. Old Oregon Inlet Road, MP 18.5, Nags Head
- (252) 441-5740
The 650-foot pier is lighted for evening fishing and open 24 hours a day in season. Rent tackle and buy bait here or bring your own. Daily, three-day and weekly passes are available. A snack bar with a grill serves up everything you need for an afternoon of fishing - hamburgers, hot dogs and ice-cold beer. They offer senior citizen discounts.
Pirate’s Cove Yacht Club
- 715 Pirates Way, off the Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Nags Head
- (252) 473-3906, (800) 367-4728
Just about every afternoon between 4 and 5 p.m. a dozen or more sport fishing boats return from the Gulf Stream to the Pirate's Cove Marina to unload their catches of tuna, dolphin, wahoo and other deep-sea fish. If you're interested in seeing the fish before they're cleaned, head down to the docks and watch the mates hurl the whopping creatures onto the docks. Kids love this, and the anglers are usually friendly about sharing their experiences of the day. If you're more of a hands-on type, you might want to take a fishing trip yourself. Pirate's Cove offers several options for getting to the fishing grounds. Approximately 18 private charter boats are available to take you off-shore fishing, and other boats are available for inshore fishing charters. Makeup charters are available. Call for details
Stop ‘N Shop Convenience & Deli
- 100 S. Virginia Dare Trail, The Beach Road, MP 8.5, Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-6105
Stop 'N Shop is a full service tackle shop with rods, reels and other fishing equipment. They stock fresh and frozen bait, including live eels. Ask Captain Mike for the day's fishing report and advice on the best places to go and the bait you'll need. Stop 'N Shop is also a convenience store with an excellent deli. Don't forget to pack your cooler with sandwiches and snacks.
T.I.‘s Bait & Tackle
- 100 W. Clark Street, off The Bypass, MP 9, Kill Devil Hills
- (252) 441-3166
T.I.'s is a full service bait and tackle shop. They have everything you need to catch fish in the sound or the ocean, and the knowledgeable staff can even give you tips on fishing local waters.
The Promenade Watersports
- 105 Promenade Lane, The Bypass, MP .5, Kitty Hawk
- (252) 261-4400
Rent a fishing skiff or Pontoon boat from The Promenade for fishing and crabbing in the sound.
TW’s Bait and Tackle
- 2230 S. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 10.5, Nags Head
- (252) 441-4807
In TW's, you'll find freshwater, off-shore and surf fishing rods, reels and combos along with a wide variety of tackle. TW's can supply all the gear you'll need -- just tell them what kind of fish you're after. They have custom rods and Avet and Accurate reels. The advice is free and plentiful, and the staff loves to tell a good fishing story or pass on a helpful tip. TW's sells fresh bait like shrimp and mullet, live bait like eels and minnows, and lots of frozen baits. They also have crabbing supplies and hunting clothing and accessories. You can find everything you need to pack up the boat or the trunk like cold beer, soft drinks and snacks, and you'll probably want to pick up one of their cool fishing T-shirts. In addition to this Nags Head store, you can also visit TW's at their shops in Kitty Hawk and Corolla.
TW’s Bait and Tackle
- 3864 N. Croatan Highway, The Bypass, MP 4, Kitty Hawk
- (252) 261-7848
TW's has all your fishing excursions covered at this Kitty Hawk location. Whether you're headed to the sound or the ocean, on or offshore, TW's can equip you with all the bait and tackle you need. They have fresh and frozen baits, lures and custom rods. Best of all, the friendly staff here can supply you with lots of advice on when and where to catch fish, not to mention tell a fishing story or two. TW's can also meet your inshore or offshore boating needs with their stock of boating accessories and equipment. TW's carries functional men's clothing for fishing as well as sportswear for the whole family. If you're traveling north or south, stop by TW's in Corolla or Nags Head.
Whalebone Tackle
- 7405 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, Nags Head
- (252) 441-7413
Whalebone is a full-service tackle shop also offering rod and Penn reel repairs, fresh bait and ice. They're open year round and are happy to point you in the right direction for catching what's biting on any given day.
