Fishing

Surf fishing at Cape Lookout National Seashore is world- renowned. Near shore, cold south-flowing currents and the off-shore, warm Gulf Stream both flow by Cape Lookout and each brings migrating fish with them…bluefish, red drum, stripped bass, black drum, flounder, pompano, kingfish (sea mullet), speckled trout, gray trout (weakfish), and a dozen other species that can be reached by the energetic surf fisherman.

While the best fishing is in the spring (April and May) and fall (October through mid-December), surf fishing can be productive year around at Cape Lookout. Popular areas for surf fishing include the Point (Cape Lookout itself), both Old and New Drum Inlets, the Spit (a sand bar that encloses the Bight), and almost the entire oceanfront of both South and North Core Banks.

There are some drawbacks, also, that must be considered. Since the Seashore is undeveloped and has no road access, the only way to get there is by ferry and, once there, camping is the only means of accommodation. There is a lot of beach (55 miles of it), so a 4 x 4 is almost mandatory for beach and sand road driving.

Two vehicle ferries service the Seashore…one from Davis for South Core Banks and one from Atlantic to North Core Banks. Small passenger ferries bring fishermen to the Light Station or Spit from Harkers Island, to Portsmouth Island from Ocracoke, and to Shackleford Banks from either Beaufort or Harkers Island.