What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Hatteras, North Carolina for the first time?

Take the time to read reviews to find the charters that cater to first-time boaters or anglers. Where you go, when you fish and who you work with matters. A good experience when you do. Hatteras is a beautiful area and island. Will always return.

If novice avoid this as no instructions, guidance, or support. You’re pretty much on your own. Also if you don’t hear well their is no intercom used and hard drive o hear the captain when he is up above driving the boat

We would have liked to catch a few more species and only got two spanish mackerel in the boat. The bite was light and three got off the hook. Tommy worked super hard to keep us on the fish and I think we got a better catch than you'd be fair to expect.

Certain times of the year are not ideal for fishing but there are fish there. The guides will do their best to put you on fish but it's not guaranteed that you'll catch fish. It's called fishing for a reason; not catching. Be open minded and if your guide asks you do do something just listen. After all they make their living on the water so respect their boat and their equipment.

Don't buy expensive gear if it's your first time and if you're not sure you're going to like it. Just get a simple rod and reel setup from a local bait and tackle shop and use some pre-made steel high low rigs to start with a 1, a 2, or a 3 ounce weight. You probably won't need 4 to be honest. Shrimp and squid are good live baits and reasonably priced. Clam is okay. Some people swear by worms, but they're pricey down here. For surf fishing, you won't need anything more than 12-15 lb test I wouldn't think, so don't go crazy. You're not catching Tuna. When you get ready to fish, look at the surf and see what the ocean is doing. Try to spot sandbars and look at where the waves are breaking. You want to try find some deeper water right past the sand bar or deeper water right before the sandbar. That should churn up the ocean and fish will be looking to feed there. Last and maybe most importantly, try to fish at dawn/dusk and at high tide when the water is deeper. If high tide coincided with dawn and dusk, that's absolutely idea, so check the Avon tide chart by googling it. You can go out at low tide and look at the beach to see where the deeper water might be..

Peir fishing with kids is always a good time cheap and plenty of species to catch sheepshead king material cobia spanish blueish rays sharks croaker spot would recommend when going offshore to check the boat out first make sure everything is in working order as well as talk to the captain first and make a plan of how you want to fish

I would watch the weather and fish when it’s a little cooler. I like fishing anytime, but hot weather is testy regardless of whether you’re fishing or on the beach trying to relax. Hatteras is still a great spot.

Choosing a seasoned captain, like Capt tom- whose family has been on the water of Hatteras for over 200 years was key! Get a Capt who can navigate the shoals and waters, but also getting you on the fish. We have a six-year-old so we did half day starting at noon. Next time we will probably take the early trip and spend a second after the day enjoying the nearby beach.

Be patient, trust the captain, bring snacks and drinks, take your sea sick pills of choice before you push off, look for turtles and dolphins, remember its fishing and not catching, encourage new anglers, have fun.

Be kind. Realize fishing and what you catch is never a guarantee. It's not a disney ride! Be respectful of the captain and crews and also understanding in our world today hiring for small business especially in the coast is difficult. Small businesses are working hard at accommodate so be patient and kind.

Captain Thomas was amazing. He’s been fishing all his life. He knows exactly where to go to get the fish on your plate. My family loved him. Great vibes. Caught way more fish than what we expected. WE ARE EATING GOOD TONIGHT! Even if we were to not catch any fish, was a great time with Captain Thomas. Definitely recommend!

If you can come here in the spring or fall. Just like anywhere else in the world fish don’t bite as good in the heat of the year but down here in Hatteras there are all sorts of fishing experiences. The people are friendly and it is beautiful. I left a good rating here because it was the heat of the summer, I bet if it was October I would have left a great one

Be prepared for a rough ride out even if it’s calm. Sportfish boats are fast, big, and break waves. This is not an inshore boat ride, it’s almost 2 hours full throttle before fishing. BUT, it’s worth every second. Take dramamine the night before if worried about sea sickness

Yes. Captain Ethan was very communicative and clear with his instructions. The boat was clean and well equipped. We had a great time catching blues. Ethan also hooked us up with someone at the docks that cleaned our catch for a reasonable rate. Overall great experience. Book with Ethan. You wont be disappointed.

Even the experienced boater gets seasick. And Dramamine doesn’t always work! Lather sunscreen before you leave and reapply through out! Bring more water than you expected! Ice water helps cool the body when not feeling well!

Summer is not peak fishing, if you expect every time out to be catching fish all day you will most likely be disappointed. If you want to have a good time working to catch fish you will have a good time and enjoy the time out on the water.

You are never promised fish when fishing salt water. So many factors come into play. Enjoy your family or friends that your on the boat with and give it a chance. The fish are the icing on the cake to the great memories you will cherish forever..

"What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Hatteras for the first time?" - The weather isn't always going to cooperate and give you a nice day. Talk to your captain ahead of time and they will tell you how to prepare yourself for when you are on the boat. They want you to be comfortable and have a great time, so listen to what they say.

Be open and flexible if things don't go as planned. And don't get discouraged if the bite isn't as good as was hoped for. Being on the water on a beautiful day is the cake and catching fish is the icing.

The fish species change throughout the seasons, if you're targeting specific fish plan for the right time. April is awesome for plenty of regional inshore fish and no crowds, but next time we'll target mahi mahi, tuna and marlin in june-aug

We spent a lot of time trying to catch fish on our own with not a lot of luck. If you want to make it easy on yourself, book with Tom for a great trip.

A good crew is essential. They helped us from start to finish. Setting up the lines and reeling them in.

Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Do the captain and first mate a favor leave the beer and mixed drinks for after the trip at home.

Was told the fall and spring are better fishing times but you’ll still have your chance at a few in the summer.

The captain and mate may yell at you but it’s because they want you to catch as many fish as possible. So just listen to them and you’ll do great

We got caught in some bad weather, and were cut short, but still got into some Mackrel and Blues..

Give Captain Wes a call and book Fish Hatteras for a great experience on the water!

Yes, realistically may get sea-sick if not used to 11 hrs. deep sea. Still worth it!!

Captain was awesome! Fishing was slow but that’s why it’s called fishing and not catching.

Absolutely. There’s just something damn near mystical about fishing in Hatteras. It’s unlike any place in the world I reckon. The hatteras natives are damn good people.