Fishing in the Pirate's Cove Area

[Reelist]

I'll be staying at Pirate's Cove the second full week of July this year and will be bringing the boat down (21' W/A) and the brother in law will have his (16' skiff).

What would be some productive methods/areas for us to fish within shot of Pirate's Cove? I live in Tidewater and commonly fish the bay, but have no boating experience in the OBX other than headboats and charters. I fish Bonner bridge every year on land and planned to snoop around that area and fish the channel. In my boat and with my inexperience I have no plans to exit Oregon inlet so I'm looking for some productive inshore areas and techniques for this time of year. I appreciate any help.

Reelist

[fishtales]

I replied on the VA angler board.

[old town angler]

Fish mullet under the bridge @ OI on the south side of the channel. Caught some nice flounder bouncing the bottom drifting with the tide . Never leave the wheel alone in the inlet, you might have problems. Most of the area around the Pirates cove is shallow in the sound. The skiff my be your best bet. I can tell you though that you can catch almost any inshore species in that sound and around Wanchese end of the island. Great place to fish with kids, always something to catch.

[Reelist]

thanks for the info folks. i'm looking forward to it. we'll see what we get into. I'll be looking at my charts before I go down. It certainly sounds like the shallow water is something I need to watch out for. Like you said Old Town Angler, we might spend much of the week in the skiff. Thanks again.

[fishduck]

Drift the Green Island slough for flounder. It's tricky to get into at first but after you get in there is plenty of water in it. To access it you have to go out under the OI bridge go around the sand bar in the middle of the bridge then back under the bridge into the slough.

Good Luck,
Fishduck

[High Line]

I would highly recommend taking your larger boat out of the sound and into the ocean. Different folks may have other opinions, but as long as you pick your days and use common sense/caution around the inlet, you'll be safe and have a lot of fun.

If you do go in the ocean, try for blues and spanish along the beach. Also make a short run to one of the towers or a nearby wreck for amberjacks. You can also potentially catch dolphin that time of year within 15 miles if the water gets pushed in.

Good luck and have fun. Be respectful of the inlet and safe, but don't let it keep you inside unless that's what you want.

Ed

ps, glad to help further any way I can. Just shoot me a pm.

[SANFLEA]

so high line , how do you recommend getting out of the inlet safely ?