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Roanoke Island Fishing
Roanoke Island is known for some of the Outer Banks’s richest fishing history. Manteo and Wanchese, the two towns on Roanoke Island, have been home to generations of families who made their living off the water through crabbing, oystering, clamming, shrimping and commercial fishing.
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And Wanchese has, until recently when Oregon Inlet’s treacherous shoaling nature made it difficult to navigate with predictability, been the fish-processing capital of the Outer Banks. That commercial fishing business still occurs there, but not at all at the same level as before.
What kind of fishing can you do on Roanoke Island? Certainly surf fishing isn't the draw, and there isn't exactly a lot of pier fishing happening on the island (unless you count the gazebo that juts out from the waterfront boardwalk, which, if you're a serious pier fishing angler, we wouldn't recommend). What you do find here is an easily accessible point of debarkation for a variety of fishing charters, both inshore and offshore. The surrounding sounds and the island’s location very near Oregon Inlet make it the perfect location for fishing harbors, and there are several marinas on the island. Prices for a private, full-day off-shore charter, usually accommodating six people, run $1,100 to $1,500 a day, not including a tip for the mate. Half-day inshore and inlet charters start around $375 and go up depending on the length of the trip and the type of fishing.
Roanoke Island is also a great location for crabbing - an activity that every visitor should try, if only to make them relax and be very, very still for a little while. We don't refer here to the business of crabbing where you set the crab pots that dangle from the colorful buoys you see dotting the sounds. No, indeed. That form of crabbing is very hard work. What we mean is the version of crabbing that requires only string, a few good chicken necks, a scoop net and quiet patience to be rewarded with the beautiful blue-shelled, sweet-eating crustaceans. Manteo's waterfront is rimmed with a boardwalk that provides you with an endless number of locations to try your hand at this form of Outer Banks fishing. Check out our OBX Guides fishing section for more information on Outer Banks fishing.
Marinas
Broad Creek Fishing Center and Marina
708 Harbor Drive, Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park
(252) 473-9991
Broad Creek offers many varieties of fishing charters, from full-day excursions to the Gulf Stream to light-tackle trips in the sound. They also offer several specialty fishing trips, like a charter they call the "2 for 1," which is an adventure divided into two portions: Gulf Stream fishing for tuna and dolphin and also deepwater wreck fishing for sea bass and tile fish. Broad Creek runs half- and full-day charters. They also have a head boat that can accommodate up to 46 people. Feeling adventurous? How about a shark trip? Broad Creek even runs an overnight shark trip. Ask about their late-afternoon shrimping trips and sunset cruises for family fun. At the marina they offer fish cleaning and packing services for a fee. You'll find everything you need for a day of fishing at their ship's store, from beverages and snacks to tackle, rods and reels. See our Shopping page. Causeway Dock and Pier
Beneath the Washington Baum bridge on the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway is a small public dock that makes a great spot for fishing or crabbing. Just bring your own tackle and supplies and drop your line. A boat ramp and ample parking are available.
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Pirate’s Cove Yacht Club
Nags Head-Manteo Causeway/ U.S. Highway 64/264
(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.
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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.
Shallowbag Bay Marina
100 Bay Club Drive
(252) 473-4946, (252) 202-8505
The Shallowbag Bay Club Marina does not book charter fishing trips, but there are some charter boats that dock here so you may want to walk the docks and see if you can scare up a trip. The marina rents its boat slips by the night, week, month, season or year and includes amenities like access to the clubhouse, pool, fitness center, bicycles and a courtesy car. A water taxi makes trips daily to downtown Manteo. There is a Ships Store on site that stocks a lot of necessities and a good seafood restaurant, Stripers, that allows free docking when you dine there for lunch or dinner. See Shopping and Restaurants.
Thicket Lump Marina
219 Thicket Lump Road, Wanchese
(252) 473-4500
WWay down on the south end of Wanchese in a beautiful location that's only 5 miles from Oregon Inlet, Thicket Lump Marina offers offshore, inshore and intermediate fishing charters as well as head boat fishing with licensed and insured captains. The head boat, the Roseann, can carry a maximum of 16 people. Dolphin tours are offered on the Kokomo. Thicket Lump sells gas and diesel fuel. Great Gut Deli, a great lunch spot, is here too. If you're out in your own boat, definitely stop here for gas and lunch.
Fishing Charters
Go to our Outer Banks Charter Fishing Guide for a list of charter boats.
Crystal Dawn / Country Girl
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See our
Maps & Guides
Vacation
Resources
- Pirates Cove Marina
- Dolphin Watch Tours
- Crystal Dawn Fishing
Cameron House Inn
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