Hatteras/Oregon Inlet Charter Recs

[Monk]

Promised my son I would take him on his first offshore trip this year. I live in NC so was thinking about chartering out of Hatteras or Oregon Inlet to minimize the run to the Gulf Stream. Anyone have any charters they would recommend? While riding in a sporty would probably be preferable, I would also be open to something like a big center console. Thanks in advance

[Gulfstream]

Lots of good boats out of Pirates Cove, and OIFC.

[wiz18]

Oregon inlet fishing center has several good options. I’ve been out with the tuna fever a few times. The center console route is certainly more affordable, but being able to get in the AC on a full day charter makes a sportfisher worth the coin imo. Find another dad with a son and half the bill on a full day riding a big boat.

[BOGSTER]

Charles Heywood - Rigged Up (fishing center)
Joey Belton (Haphazard) Pirates Cove

Yellowfin is the game up there.
Great dolphin fishing as well, but you’re late to the game.

Tuna is March to early June, Dolphin May and June.

July-September is white marlin, and “bailing dolphin” where charter boats drag cut bait thru grass mats to catch 40 (23 inch) dolphin.

Incredible Fishery.

I suggest going bill fishing if you’re set on this season.

[ecu1984]

Charles Heywood - Rigged Up (fishing center)
Joey Belton (Haphazard) Pirates Cove

Yellowfin is the game up there.
Great dolphin fishing as well, but you’re late to the game.

Tuna is March to early June, Dolphin May and June.

July-September is white marlin, and “bailing dolphin” where charter boats drag cut bait thru grass mats to catch 40 (23 inch) dolphin.

Incredible Fishery.

I suggest going bill fishing if you’re set on this season.

this or bailing dolphin for bringing home some meat

[CUduckreeper]

Daniel Caison - All In (Pirates Cove)
Barry Sawyer - Waste Knot (Pirates Cove)

We have fished with both several times and highly recommend both. We normally go in June for Yellowfin. Daniel Caison is probably the hardest working most active Captain I've seen on the bridge. Barry has a green stick that he will use sometimes for tuna fishing which is neat to watch the fish air out to grab a squid. However I get zero enjoyment or pleasure winching it in on the 130.

[CUduckreeper]

this or bailing dolphin for bringing home some meat

Not a whole lot of meat on a 23" dolphin.

[nitro5x6's]

Not a whole lot of meat on a 23" dolphin.

Enough for a fish sandwich - if you use both filets.

[ecu1984]

if you know, you know
Several blackened dolphin sandwiches per

[JABIII]

Shoot, I will feast on a couple 7" fried brook trout...

[nitro5x6's]

I have in fact dined on many a SNIT...

Hell, a man can't let the Herons eat em all....

[SaltMuck]

Shoot, I will feast on a couple 7" fried brook trout...

This man knows.

[BOGSTER]

Not a whole lot of meat on a 23" dolphin.

To me, it’s pretty disgraceful. Dragging cut bait thru grass mats for (40) 23 inch dolphin is an embarrassing act I wish didn’t take place. That said, those boys depend on it and it’s their game, they can do what they want.

In my opinion, those fish are next seasons quality fish.

[JABIII]

Holler when you get back down. I have a story for you. Remember when we talked about fiddler crab stew?

[2thDoc]

the hell you say?

[nitro5x6's]

To me, it’s pretty disgraceful. Dragging cut bait thru grass mats for (40) 23 inch dolphin is an embarrassing act I wish didn’t take place. That said, those boys depend on it and it’s their game, they can do what they want.

In my opinion, those fish are next seasons quality fish.

Dolphin ( Dorado/ Mahi ) are indeed the fastest growing fish in the ocean. ( As Bog knows). Slingers, Peanuts or Chickens or whatever they are called should be tossed back. IMHO.

[Hogg]

Dolphin ( Dorado/ Mahi ) are indeed the fastest growing fish in the ocean. ( As Bog knows). Slingers, Peanuts or Chickens or whatever they are called should be tossed back. IMHO.

But I wonder if dolphin mortality is so high that it would be akin to shooting a dove?

[12341234]

But I wonder if dolphin mortality is so high that it would be akin to shooting a dove?

I can tell you that dolphin fishing has gone down significantly over the last 10 years. But the fact that you can keep 54 or whatever is a joke. I really believe that you drop the limit to 15-20 and people will start releasing the small ones and keep bigger ones. Give them a chance to spawn, which they do at a young age. Going out and catching 40-60 peanuts that fit in a 10 gallon trash can is disgraceful.

[JABIII]

Then you pull up to the fuel dock at Hatteras and see the commercial boat offloading 30 trashcans worth of peanuts...

[ecu1984]

Going out and catching 40-60 peanuts that fit in a 10 gallon trash can is disgraceful.

I agree