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When it comes to bluewater sport fishing, few places compare with the Outer Banks of North Carolina. More than the fishing, there is a unique culture born from a rich history centered around boatbuilding, long-standing tournaments and a strong tie to the sea. What happens in this quaint, relatively difficult-to-access section of eastern North Carolina influences offshore sport fishing all over the world.
Does this sound like an exaggeration? It’s not. There are the boats of Wanchese—Spencer, Bayliss, Ritchie Howell, Scarborough and others. Jarrett Bay, Winters and Hatteras are right down the road. There are the tournaments. The Big Rock is by far the largest, taking place in Morehead City every June. Pirate’s Cove is in Manteo. There are the Hatteras Marlin Club and others.
Then there are the crews that come from this part of the world. Boats fishing in the Outer Banks must be ready for anything and good at catching everything, from double-digit white marlin days to 800-pound blue marlin, limits of gaffer dolphin, and dock-loads of yellowfins and bigeyes to keep the charters happy. The combination of skill and sport-fishing culture has produced some incredibly influential captains and crews: Chip Shafer, Charles Perry, Fin Gaddy, Arch Bracher, Rom Whitaker and many, many others.
If you’re after a good, all-around offshore fishing experience, few places in the U.S. can compete with the Outer Banks. In terms of pelagics, it has all the major players the Atlantic offers, and in trophy-class size.
The blue marlin season kicks off in the early summer and runs into the fall. The fish might be around in the spring and later in the fall, but your weather windows get a bit trickier. The height of white marlin season runs from about mid-August through mid-September. Most years there is a week in this window when the white marlin fishing is really good.
Fishing for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is good all summer, from May through September. This is the same range as the dolphin fishing season. The bluefin fishing picks up in December and runs through February. Most years there is a good wahoo bite in the late summer and into the fall.
For anglers seeking more than just a day on the water, the Outer Banks delivers the full experience. The region is defined by its unique harbors and towns. From the storied docks of Hatteras to the marinas of Oregon Inlet and Manteo, each port offers its own personality, history, and ties to incredible fishing grounds. Here’s a closer look at some of the locations that make this stretch of North Carolina so special.
Manteo and Wanchese
Manteo is home to Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina. This world-class facility includes a great restaurant, plenty of homes for rent, and in the summertime, an assortment of custom sport-fishers as nice as you’ll see most anywhere. The boats are here for the tournaments and for the easy access to the Gulf Stream and its fishing diversity.
A bridge separates Manteo from Wanchese, a small town that casts an incredible boatbuilding legacy. A 10-minute drive can take you to a handful of the finest custom boatbuilders in the world.
Oregon Inlet
Oregon Inlet sits between Manteo to the north and Hatteras Village to the south. It is home to the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. An icon of the bluewater charter-fishing landscape, Oregon Inlet is a must-visit for the traveling angler.
Hatteras Village
Hatteras Village sits at the southern extent of Hatteras Island. Known as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” for the frequency of shipwrecks caused by its shifting sandbars, Hatteras Island juts offshore, providing closer access to the Gulf Stream.
The owners of Oden’s Dock, a Hatteras Village staple, Dan Oden’s family has been in Hatteras for at least four generations. The facility’s 25-slip marina and 35-room Breakwater Inn provide everything that traveling sport-fishing crews need. About half the slips are dedicated to the charter fleet, and the other half to traveling sportboats.
The Hatteras Marlin Club, established in 1959, continues to represent the spirit of the Outer Banks as its members fish the world over. Inside, the walls are lined with black-and-white photographs, including iconic shots of Hemingway standing beside dockside marlin, that pay tribute to the club’s enduring legacy.
Morehead City
Morehead City’s waterfront is home to Big Rock Landing and a well-rounded restaurant scene. In late May, Morehead’s marinas fill with tournament boats. The marlin and tuna fishing are good enough to keep boats here all summer. In the winter, the bluefin tuna bite takes place just offshore.
Travel to The Outer Banks
When planning a fishing trip to the Outer Banks, convenience is part of the appeal. Many marinas here aren’t just places to dock your boat—they double as hubs for lodging, dining and local culture. Instead of piecing together separate options, visiting anglers can often find everything they need in one spot, making it easy to focus on the fishing. Below are some of the standout destinations that offer this all-in-one experience.
Oden’s Dock, Hatteras Village
Oden’s Dock is a wonderful place. It’s home to a seafood market, lodging, a marina, and a complete assortment of inshore and offshore charters. The feel is something like Venice, Louisiana, meets Islamorada, Florida. It doesn’t take long to understand why its slogan is “Dock. Dine. Unwind.”
Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
Billed as “Outer Banks Fishing Charters in the Fishing Capital of the World,” Oregon Inlet is home to an incredible lineup of sport-fishers. In terms of history and influence, few places can compare with its legacy.
Pirate’s Cove Marina, Manteo
A world-class, full-service marina, Pirate’s Cove features a wonderful sport-fishing community, complete with a waterfront restaurant, plenty of homes and slips for rent, a high-end charter fleet and the Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament.
Promise Land Market, Morehead City
Located just blocks away from the Morehead City waterfront, Promise Land Market features great food and a well-rounded drink menu. The Mullet Bar in the back is a great place to drink a Painkiller and eat a softshell
crab sandwich.
