Nags Head, NC, sits in the north of the Outer Banks – a string of islands separating sheltered sounds and open ocean. Life revolves around the ocean here, and Nags Head fishing is special to say the least. With huge fish in every depth of water and one of the most legendary fishing heritages on the East Coast, it’s almost rude not to fish while you’re in town.
Everywhere in the OBX has fish, but this easy-going town balances all that action with easy access and plenty to do off the water, making it the perfect place for a vacation. In this article, you can find out all about the local angling scene so you’re rigged and ready when you arrive. Species, spots, seasons – there’s a lot to cover, so let’s jump in!
Best Fish to Catch in Nags Head
Nags Head is literally surrounded by water, so there’s no shortage of fish to catch in this part of North Carolina. If anything, there are too many species on offer. To help you narrow things down, here are a few of the top targets to take on during your stay.
Red Drum
There’s no disputing who rules the shallows here. Red Drum swarm the beaches and sounds around Nags Head, straining muscles and filling bellies all over the island. It’s not just a numbers game with Drum, mind you. The IGFA world record was set just down the coast in Avon, and trophies still top the 50 lb mark every year.
The sportfishing crowd will want to get their hands on Nags Head’s Bull Reds. However, if you’re in it for the meat, you’re much better off with smaller “Puppy Drum.” They’re absolutely delicious, much easier to catch, and you can find them in all but the depths of winter. What’s more, keeping smaller fish doesn’t impact the species nearly as much as harvesting a big breeder Bull.
Cobia
Nothing tells you that the fishing season has started like the arrival of Cobia. These brown bruisers roll onto the wrecks in early May and stick around well into the summer. The easiest way to target them is to chum the water and wait. Curiosity kills the Cobia, and they can’t help checking out what’s going on when there’s blood in the water.
“Cobia sound great, but I’m not visiting until the fall!” Not a problem! There’s another big, hard-fighting fish to look out for at the end of summer: King Mackerel. Big “Smoker Kings” are the talk of the town from October. Opinion varies on how they got their name. Some say it’s because they’re delicious when smoked. Others think it’s from the way they smoke your reels if you’re not careful. Both are certainly true.
Tuna
Every year, the Outer Banks are home to not two, not three, but four species of Tuna. Yellowfin are available most of the year, peaking in late spring and fall. Visiting in summer? Try for delicious Bigeye, or load up on small-but-mighty Blackfin which stick around until the end of autumn.
Even without any of those species, Nag’s Head is still one of the hottest Tuna spots on the planet. Why? Because of the giant Bluefin Tuna that come crashing into town in winter. This is real bucket-list fishing, and you have two shots at it each year. Visit in December for smaller fish close to shore, or brave the February chills to battle 500 lb monsters further out.
Marlin
If anything could top a day battling Tuna, it would be releasing a few Billfish along the way. Blue and White Marlin spend their whole summers in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, just off Nags Head. They’re also joined by Sailfish and Spearfish for a proper family reunion.
Blue Marlin are the biggest fish in the family. They average 200-500 pounds in the OBX, but there are much bigger fish out there, too. Just ask the guy who landed a 1,228 lb beast in 2008. White Marlin are smaller, normally weighing 60-80 pounds. They’re much more athletic, though, and still plenty big enough to put cramps in your arms for days.
And More!
Shark fishing is incredibly popular here, both inshore and offshore. The Flounder bite is great, although the season’s short to protect the species. There are Striped Bass in winter and Amberjack all year round.
We could spend all day talking about what you can catch in Nags Head and we’d only be halfway through the list. Check out our full fishing calendar if you’re interested in a specific species or a certain time of year.
How to Go Fishing in Nags Head
As you’ve probably gathered, anglers are spoiled for choice in the Outer Banks. No surprise, then, that you have several options of how to wet a line here. These are the most popular ways to fish in Nags Head, and the pros and cons of each one.
Surf Fishing
Hit the beach to reel in Red Drum, Bluefish, Flounder, and Sharks throughout most of the year. You can also find Striped Bass if you’re around during winter. We’re not just talking about slot-size fish, either. Some of the biggest Drum of the season are caught from shore each year.
The fish themselves are only part of the appeal of surf fishing. You’ll be spending the day on a beautiful sandy beach, casting into crashing waves and basking in the morning sun. Even better, you can do all this while enjoying a family day out. The downside is that beaches get very busy during tourist season, so be sure to hit the sand early.
Pier Fishing
Nags Head doesn’t have a fishing pier – it has three! Jennette’s Pier and Nags Head Fishing Pier are the most popular. They both have tackle shops and restrooms, and put on various events throughout the summer. If they’re a little too busy, head down to the Outer Banks Fishing Pier for more of an old-timey, slow lane vibe.
Not that the fishing will be anywhere near slow. Expect all the species you’d find in the surf, plus Cobia, Kingfish, False Albacore, Black Seabass, and much, much more. Just roll up, rent a rod, and reel in dinner! Pier fishing lacks the full outdoorsy feel that you get on the beach, but it offers a much better catch rate.
Head Boat Fishing
Head boats are a cheap way to get onto the water and catch fish that you can’t reach from shore. The main targets are bottom fish and reef-dwellers like Black Seabass, Kingfish, Cobia, and Amberjack. You may also see bluewater brawlers like Mahi Mahi and Tuna if you’re lucky. All this, for about the same price as a day on a pier once you include rod rental.
Head boat fishing is fun, but it’s not for everyone. You may be sharing the deck with 30 other anglers. The crew will do rounds assisting where they can, but you need to be confident with untangling lines and rigging baits if you don’t want to wait. At the same time, keen anglers may find themselves aching for the area’s famous big game bite.
Charter Fishing
Put simply, charters are the ultimate way to fish. Target what you want, how you want. Load up on food in no time or head offshore in search of Marlin, Tuna, and deep-water bottom fish. The only limits are your ambitions and your budget. Charter fishing is more expensive than other styles of angling, but you get your money’s worth.
If you’re a beginner, the captain will show you the ropes and help you bring the fish aboard. They’ll also act as a local guide, teaching you about the area. For skilled sport fishing types, private charters offer the chance to battle the biggest and meanest fish in the sea. Expect top-notch equipment and career crews on all local fishing charters. This is the Outer Banks, after all.
Nags Head Fishing Spots
You know what you want to catch and how you want to catch it, but where should you go? Here are a few productive spots to get you started. After that, talking to local anglers is always the best way to find the local honey holes.
- Oregon Inlet: Whether you’re on a boat, a kayak, or fishing from shore, this is one of the best places to go. Huge Red Drum, Bluefish, Mackerel, Cobia, and much more hang out in this deep passage between sound and ocean. Watch out for boat traffic if you’re getting onto the water, though.
- Albemarle Sound: Sound fishing is an OBX specialty. Albemarle Sound isn’t the closest, but it offers an unbeatable mix of fresh and brackish water. Wade out or take a charter to battle Striped Bass, Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Flounder, Catfish, Perch, Crappie, Shad – the list just keeps on going.
- Jennette’s Fishing Pier: All of the fishing piers around Nags Head are great. This one’s the longest, though, stretching 1,000 feet into the ocean. Pull in tasty Drum and Sheepshead near the beach or sight cast to angry King Mackerel and Cobia at the end. Either way, you’re in for a load of fun.
- Advance II Wreck: A large wreck in around 80 feet of water, just eight miles offshore from Nags Head. This is a popular spot with both anglers and divers, and is home to Triggerfish, Spadefish, Cobia, King Mackerel, Amberjack, and even Mahi Mahi, depending on when you go.
- Tuna Hole: You don’t need three guesses of what you’ll target here. This legendary Tuna fishing spot sits around 40 miles out from Oregon Inlet, right on the edge of the continental shelf. Whether you want Yellowfin, Bluefin, or even Billfish, this is the spot to try.
When to Go Fishing in Nags Head
You may not have the luxury of timing your vacations with the fishing seasons. Luckily, the bite’s always on in Nags Head. Depending on when you’re in town, you might also be able to take part in a local fishing tournament – as if the fish themselves weren’t enough of a challenge!
Nags Head Fishing Tournaments
The competitive season kicks off in April with the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club Member-Guest Tournament. Head to Jennette’s Pier in June for the Fritz Boyden Memorial Youth Tournament, and again in October for the NC VIP Fishing Tournament. Ambitious ‘yakkers can also paddle out for the Outer Banks Kayak Fishing Tournament in September.
And that’s without even starting on the area’s deep sea events. Hop over to Manteo for the Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament, and Alice Kelly Ladies Billfish Tournament, where you’ll battle monster Marlin and competitive anglers from all over the country. These events usually run on consecutive weeks in August, so you could even sign up for both if you think your arms can take it!
Nags Head Fishing Regulations
Most species are open for harvest year-round in Nags Head, with a few important exceptions. You can only keep Flounder in August and September, while Cobia are protected January through April. Black Seabass are only open for harvest from May.
Regulations aside, it’s worth noting that most charter boats only operate spring through fall. You should book well in advance if you want a chance at the winter Bluefin bite. The same is true of many of the local fishing piers, so be sure to call ahead if you want to go pier fishing out of season.
Nags Head, NC: A True Angling Paradise
Nags Head has something for every angler. Make a couple of casts off a local pier or speed out to the edge of the continental shelf. Reel in something tasty for dinner or battle the oceans’ top predators. It’s all here, with some stunning views to keep you happy when the reels aren’t screaming. Talk about a dream angling destination!
What would your dream Nags Head fishing trip look like? Have you fished here before? What did you catch? Drop us a line in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
