Late April trip to Hatteras question

[n2everythg]

Hi. New here. Just found this great forum. Also fairly new to NC. Moved here from Portland OR about 2 yrs ago. Havn't done much fishing since I got to NC but plan on changing that. Didnt have a boat as I sold mine before the move and too much else going on settling in.

I also just picked up this past week 2 of the Hobie mirage kayaks so hope to put them to lots of use fishing this awesome state.

So on to my question.
I've got a good fishing buddy coming in for a week from portland the last week of april. Thinking we will hit the salt and estuaries as he has never had a good old southern swampy experience.... (I used to live in SC long ago so have done some black water playin). Anyway, neither of us has much experience in the saltwater or tidewater fishing. Been researching like crazy to try to come up to speed and learn something before the trip.

Looking at 2 different areas primarily. Not sure which to pick for this trip. Either Hidden lake up by columbia NC. or Bear Island. I saw the bear island thread... actually that is how I found this forum. Anyway, from what I can tell bear island looks like more small channel estuary fishing with a few open water stretches..... and maybe a chance to largemouth fish further up the oak river. Up by Hidden lake the bay looks like big open water to me.

Any suggestions or comments on the 2 choices? Am I pretty close in my eval? Think one place will be better fishing than another? Anybody fish both these areas?

Oh one last thing.... my buddy REALLY, REALLY wants to run across some alligator... think he wants to rassal one ... cant wait to see that...

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
wade