Fishing is one of the primary reasons why so many visitors flock to the OBX, and Kitty Hawk has plenty of prime fishing grounds from the sound waters to the Atlantic Ocean beaches. Before casting, be sure to brush up on the local rules, regulations and helpful local tips that can help make any fishing trip a salty success.

Local Charter Boats

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Licensing

All anglers over the age of 16 will need a saltwater fishing license to fish from the beaches, or any salty body of water along Kitty Hawk. (Note that freshwater fishermen require a separate, freshwater license as well.)

Licenses are fairly inexpensive and run around $5 - $15 for a 10 day or annual license for NC residents, and $10 - $30 for a 10 day or annual license for out of state residents.

Fishing licenses are administered by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and can be purchased online before an OBX vacation at http://www.ncwildlife.org/. Licenses can also be picked up in person at local Kitty Hawk tackle stores, such as Bob's Bait and Tackle, TW's Bait and Tackle, Dock of the Bay, and even Wal-Mart.

Surf fishing regulations

Fishing is allowed throughout the town of Kitty Hawk, although surf fishermen may want to avoid lifeguarded public beaches where there are plenty of visitors in and near the water. Fishermen should not cast out next to ocean swimmers, and a saltwater fishing permit is required for surf fishing.

Note that pier fishing and charter fishing does not require a license, as these businesses typically carry a blanket license that covers all parties.

The NCWRC also has season and size limits for all North Carolina catches. Details on individual species can be obtained online at http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/SeasonsLimits.aspx, or visitors can request a current Regulations Digest by calling the NCWRC directly at (919) 707-0391.

Types of fish to Catch, Where, and When

The types of fish an angler can catch depends completely on location and season.

On the Soundside: Anglers in the Albemarle Sound, Currituck Sound, and in Kitty Hawk Baycan often reel in sheapshead, small mullets, largemouth bass, flounder, and plenty of shellfish including clams and crabs. Anglers can access these waters via the public boat launch at Bob Perry Road, or can rent their own fishing vessel or kayak to head out to the open sound through local watersports companies like the Promenade Watersports Center in Kitty Hawk.

On the Oceanside: Anglers will find smaller catches, like spot and croaker, lingering just offshore along beaches that feature wide shallow sandbars. Larger species can be caught in deeper waters, along beaches that have more of a drop-off. Most anglers attest that the fall and spring months are the best times to cast, when the red drum are running, and a wealth of species can be reeled in including sea mullet, bluefish, sea trout, and even sharks.

Atlantic fishermen can also head to the Kitty Hawk Pier, which is now owned and operated by the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn, and is open from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (Note that rates are less for Hilton guests, and the pier may be closed for private parties and events.) The Avalon Fishing Pier in neighboring Kill Devil Hills is also a good destination for anglers.

Tournaments

The Outer Banks is known for its longstanding and nationally renowned fishing tournaments, and Kitty Hawk visitors will be close to a number of large offshore and surf fishing competitions which have become annual traditions.

Offshore, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament takes the cake as the largest NC fishing tournament, with prizes that range in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Pirates Cove Marina in Manteo also serves as the home base for a number of offshore tournaments, including the women-only Alice Kelly Tournament, and the always popular Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament.

Close to the beach, visitors can check out Jennette's Pier in Nags Head, which hosts several competitions designed for young anglers. Hatteras Island, located about 40 miles north, is also a Mecca for surf fishermen and is home to the annual NCBBA Red Drum Tournament, CHAC Invitational Tournament, and the 4-Plus / Capitol City Surf Fishing Tournaments.

Kitty Hawk anglers can stop by any local tackle shop or marina to find out what upcoming tournaments are accepting applications, and / or are wide open to the public.

Fishing Charters

There are a handful of inshore fishing charters that launch from the soundside of Kitty Hawk, and anglers interested in renting their own vessel can do so at local watersports companies, like Promenade Watersports, which is adjacent to the Wright Memorial Bridge.

The majority of offshore charters on the Outer Banks launch from the massive marinas located in Wanchese, Oregon Inlet, and Hatteras Village, which are located approximately 30-75 minutes away for Kitty Hawk vacationers.

Reservations are best made well in advance, as while the Outer Banks has literally hundreds of charter boats to choose from, fishing trips are always in high demand.

Most charter fishing trips can accommodate 1-6 anglers, with rates that vary from $250 to $1500, depending on party size, targeted species, and targeted area. Offshore charter fishing trips to the Gulf Stream are generally more expensive than inshore fishing trips that stay close to the Albemarle Sound and Currituck Sound waters.

Fishing trips may be cancelled due to weather, (with many local businesses offering make-up charters), and last-minute parties of 1-2 can also call and ask to "hop along" an existing scheduled trip.

For information on reputable charter businesses and availability, anglers can often contact the marina directly, like the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center just south of Nags Head, to see what's biting and to reserve a spot.

 

TRiO Restaurant & Market

TRiO Restaurant & Market

Wine, beer and cheese lovers will love TRiO, an exciting retail and tasting destination in Kitty Hawk. Both a gourmet retail wine, beer and cheese shop as well as a bistro with a wine bar and tap house, TRiO offers the best of the worlds of wine, beer and cheese for your enjoyment on premise or in the comfort of your home. TRiO's bistro is elegant and comfortable, with a large bar and two-story dining and bar area. The gourmet bistro menu of appetizers, and light fare such as cheese and charcuterie, paninis and salads make TRiO a wonderful lunch and dinner restaurant. Unique and high-tech self service WineStations are available in the downstairs bar area, where you can sample full, half and tastes of wines of all regions at varying price ranges. If you prefer beer, you can select from 24 beers on tap or try a TRiO Flight and sample a taste of four beers. In the upstairs mezzanine, which is part of the bistro, you'll find comfortable lounge seating and a free pool table. 

Black Pelican

Black Pelican

Black Pelican oceanfront restaurant is one of the Outer Banks’ premier restaurants serving lunch and dinner daily. Black Pelican is where you can enjoy fresh seafood, steaks, vegetarian dishes, sandwiches and some of the barrier island’s best wood-fired pizzas complete with a beautiful ocean view from the dining rooms and outdoor deck. The restaurant is big enough to handle large parties, but the setting is intimate enough for a cozy date.

Sun Realty

Sun Realty

Sun Realty offers the Best Selection of Vacation Rentals on the Outer Banks. Our large selection of Outer Banks rentals means you can choose from a wide range of amenities, including private swimming pools, hot tubs, theater rooms, game rooms, pet friendly lodging and more! Our properties span the entire OBX coast including Carova, Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and South Nags Head. On Hatteras Island, we proudly offer beach cottages in Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village.

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Jimmy's Seafood Buffet

Jimmy's Seafood Buffet

Home of the Crab Leg & Lobster Buffet for over 24 years! Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet is a great stop for an all you can eat affordable dinner extravaganza. The buffet offers over 100 different items. It even serves Jumbo Alaskan crab legs and Jumbo steamed shrimp, something you will not find on any other buffet in the OBX. The buffet offers a variety of seafood and non seafood options. Try some of Jimmy’s seafood options and load your plate with blackened tuna, Louisiana crawfish, steamed scallops and mussels, fried oysters and deviled crabs. Not in the mood for seafood? Fill your plate with steak, pineapple glazed ham, fried chicken, BBQ ribs, and fettuccini Alfredo to name a few. The buffet also offers a kid section. Let your kids load their plates with chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and corn dog nuggets. Don’t forget dessert! The buffet also offers soft serve ice cream and a plethora of baked goods. 

 

It’s been 22 years since Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet opened its doors for the first time. Since that inaugural summer, the goal has remained the same: provide customers with a tasty, fresh array of seafood full of Caribbean flavor.

 

Elizabeth Dowless and her husband Jerry had always worked in restaurants in the Outer Banks, so when the opportunity to open Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet with a couple of friends arose, it was an easy yes. The Dowlesses bought out the business in 2003, excited to turn Jimmy’s into an Outer Banks staple. When Jerry passed away later that year, Dowless knew she wanted to continue pursuing their dream on her own.

 

Dowless went all in on the concept of a fresh, flavorful seafood buffet and her hard work paid off. Jimmy’s Seafood Buffet is a beloved fixture of Outer Banks dining, with customers returning year after year for the fresh fare.

 

“Customers keep in contact with me throughout the winter. I get people every day asking me when we’re opening for the season, and customers book their vacations around our opening,” Dowless says. “I absolutely love getting to see familiar faces come back to see us each year. I love seeing them lose their minds over the buffet! Their excitement is what I love most about my job.”