Shore fishing in the Pirates Cove area

[Rockfish14]

I'll be coming down in early August and staying at Pirates Cove. I don't have a boat so I'm limited to fishing from the shore. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can catch anything (preferably speckled trout) from the shore in that area. I've done a fair amount fishing in my time so I'm not necessary a novice (I fished in freshwater striped bass tournaments in the past).
Would a carolina rig with a minnow be a good technique for sp. trout? - retrieved slow or left on the bottom? Best lures for sp. trout? Do bluefish come into that area? Do any fish hit surface lures around there?
Best times : mid-day, dawn, dusk, night time, high tide, incoming or outgoing tide?
OR would my best bet be hitting the surf?

Rockfish14

[Steve F]

I have fished Pirates Cove for years but always from a boat. I know that a lot of people fish under the bridge and I have seen some fish caught. What I would try to use is Berkley Gulp for trout, flounder and reds. Just jig it off the bottom using a ½ to 1oz jig head depending on the tide. The 4” gulp seems to work the best for me.

[fishtales]

Ride down to the Oregon Inlet bridge, go across and fish the sound side ( public parking on the left ) friend of mine went Monday after work and caugth sea mullet, flounder and black drum. Or hit one of the piers, they have been doing good on blues and triggers.

[happy hours]

the little bridge on the causeway just up the street just before sunrise would be a good starting point and also as Fishtales mentioned.

[Rockfish14]

Thanks! "Steve F", "Fishtales", and "happy hours" for your tips and advice. I just bought some Berkley Gulp (4" shrimp (penny)) baits that I'm going to try while I down there.
BTW - any of you guys (or gals) know of a good tackle shop in the area that would give me some good honest reliable reports of what fish are being caught on what bait and where?
Thanks again, Rockfish14

[TAILWALKER]

TW's at milepost 6 or 10 on the bypass.

[want dem reds]

If you don't have a boat i would do this. Bodie island light house has a path in the middle of the turn around area with a gate to block cars from going there. Gotta park by the gate and walk down the gravel road. Get a pair of chest waders, I have a pair that are too big and will sell to you cheaper than new ones if you want em. At the end of the road (you have to walk it) it opens up to a nice, peaceful, marshy area that can hold some fish...early morning/late evening. As far as Pirates cove goes, i have caught some nice trout just off the pier, mainly fish the mouth of the creek, but fish could be anywhere. I have done well at night with a purple deamon mirror lure as well. Never cuaght alot of fish there, but ussually pick one or two out every hour or so. Also, late at night, go check the lights under the "Sugar Creek Restuarant"...just be quiet and make sure everyone is gone from the restuarant. You can see reds pushin in the sand in the lights sometimes. Gonna need livebait here, live shrimp is ALWAYS my bait of choice, but you might get lucky with minnows. Good luck, let me know if you have any other questions....Peace

[old town angler]

Just came home yesterday and fished Fishing unlimited pier about the 19 mp, closest to where you will be be. Had blues every morning and usually in the evening too. All the spot you wanted to catch. Water was clear but cold. I heard that earlier in the week before the cold water they had some nice spanish and a few king mackerals caught. The little bridge on the causeway was catching little spot and croakers. No flounder except the one I snagged in the tail with a gotch plug in the surf just south of the OI south side jetty. Long walk but some nice holes along the beach ( plus, not a soul in site except the folks trolling the shoreline in boats for blues and spanish) . Less weeds the further south from the jetty you get. Would rather still be down there than writing this post !