I am planning a trip to the outer banks of North Carolina (Naggs Head) in early May. I am a bass and walleye angler from Wisconsin and have never ventured to this part of the country before. I would like to do some ocean fishing and see this as an opportunity to possibly build a new rod. First, what does one catch at this time of the year and second, what type of rod and reel would one use (length, action)? Also what lures and baits are needed? Thanks in advance for the help!

You've really asked a loaded question. You can catch everything from tarpon to drum, to trout, to bluefish, to tuna, marlin, wahoo, dolphin, striped bass, and just about everything else under the sun. A better question might have been, "what can't I catch here this time of year." Really, the available species that will swim by your hook in those waters are just too numerous to list in full.

What you might want to do is clarify where and how you'll want to fish. Surf? Inshore? Offshore? Bays or rivers? Blackwater canals?

If you're just going to fish off the beach, then I'd steer you towards two types of rods - a medium/heavy power surf for throwing some bait and a shorter, perhaps 8 to 9 foot plugging rod for searching the beach with a spoon, mirrorlure or similar plug. Most of the really heavy duty drum and striper fishing will be over by May, so I don't think you'll have much use for the really big "Hatteras Heaver" type surf rods. You might just want to build a rod that you could also use back home around the Great Lakes. Thus, a 7' to 7'6" heavy bass type casting rod could double as a light duty plugging rod for specs, trout, whiting, puppy drum, etc.

I'm sure you'll get some more suggestions.
..............

This time of the year its slowing down.....
You should get a rod about 10' to 12' long...
I use a 11'Lamiglas Surfking off the rack and a custom- built on a
LamiGSB136 2 MH
A good conventional reel - Abu 7000cl or something similar.
I chunk bait but you'd prob. have better luck this time 'o year with artificial-of which "i" know nothing about!
-wish I was you!!

Stop in and Talk to the People at Hatteras Jacks tackle in Rodanthe

they have the info you need

If you want big fish..The 136 Lami will take you there. Big Red Drum, few Stripers, Sharks etc.. that time of year.
The Sealine-X, 30SHV conventional reel is what most use. 20lb. test, 8oz.pyramid sinker, and a bunker head. looong cast.
For the flounder, trout, and others I like the Gloomis P844 spin rod.
Any bait, rigging questions you can think of can be answerd at any of these forums... just Google..(I post as puppy mullet)
red drum tackle.com
Pierandsurf.com
Hatterass Jack (best rod builders)
Frank and Frans

Greg only says that because he has caught 5 of everything down there...


Thank goodness his 136 is in his will to me !!