Try and find a marsh near by and you might have a chance
Its killing me
Everyday im counting down the days till March 17th when i get to pack my 03 Ford Explorer and hit the Hwy from New Albany, IN to make that 9hr Drive to come and go fishing on the surf in Emerald Isle. My wife is ready to pull her hair out. Im hoping something is biting at the surf or around the piers but if not the sun rise in the morning will be worth it. I know this may seem stupid but does anyone know where you can find some hermit crabs during the late march month into april on the beach to show my kido's my son thinks there awsome he is upsest with starfish and hermit crabs.
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ok thanks for the advice
9 hours? You're a better man than me. I love to fish but my wife would hang me if I told her I was driving 9 hours to surf fish. I already have a hard time trying to plan a cat fishing trip up to Kerr Lake. 
Man, you sound like me! I'm counting the days until April when we head for Atlantic Beach. It's gonna be cold, but it won't be as cold as here! Good luck w/ your trip!!
BTW, YouTube is a great elixer!
BTW, YouTube is a great elixer!
March can be an odd month for fishing sometimes in the surf. I will say, that the best red drum fishing I have ever done was basically from the surf at Cape Lookout during March. There are ferries that run cars from Atlantic, NC and Davis, NC over to Cape Lookout national seashore. It is highly recommended you have four wheel drive to do this. I know they close down for some of the winter months and am not sure if they would be running during your stay.
Another option you could do, would be to take the passenger ferry from Beaufort, NC over to Shackleford Banks. It is a very short ferry ride and it would give you another option on something to do. Plus, the surf fishing there can be very good as well. Only downside if you have to walk everywhere, but its not a long walk either. Its a natural beach so it has some pretty good troughs running along it as well.
Another resource you can use is to look at old reports on bogue inlet pier's website. They seem to catch em up pretty good there.
Good luck and if nothing else, all this research will hopefully be able to quell your cabin fever!
Another option you could do, would be to take the passenger ferry from Beaufort, NC over to Shackleford Banks. It is a very short ferry ride and it would give you another option on something to do. Plus, the surf fishing there can be very good as well. Only downside if you have to walk everywhere, but its not a long walk either. Its a natural beach so it has some pretty good troughs running along it as well.
Another resource you can use is to look at old reports on bogue inlet pier's website. They seem to catch em up pretty good there.
Good luck and if nothing else, all this research will hopefully be able to quell your cabin fever!
I have never caught a redfish since i have started surf fishing. There's a gentleman on here that is offering to take me out on his boat and were going to try some places that way also. I plan on trying the pier to i have heard some good things. Do the bait shops down there sell live fish during that time of year i imagine they will sell frozen shrimp which is fine but i have always wanted to use live minnows and if so are they good for surf fishing or pier fishing.
.. In my experience when talking surf fishing, most people cast way to far out and don't know how to read the water. To me this is about 60% of Surf fishing. It will help you pass the time if you pick up a book (specifically NC surf) and read all you can from guys who know whats up. Anyone else on the sight with some good recommendations, please chime in as most my surf experience is from Boston targeting stripers.
There are some really good old threads on surf fishing. I believe speckhunter did a surf fishing 101 post way back in the way. Definitely worth checking out.
when i surf fish i usually go between the beach and the first sand bar. I usuall find alot of my eater fish there like my whiting and pompano. but if i get brave ill walk to that bar and cast to the second bar and walk it back to the beach sometimes with extra poles and fish that bar to have caught some nice fish doing that also. Florida in the morning doing that is great. Wont be fishing the second bar in NC this year but def will be fishing the first and im hoping what ever is there will come say hi.
Southern Surfcaster, The:: Saltwater Strategies for the Carolina Beaches & Beyond Paperback – May 22, 2012
by S. Cameron Wright (Author)
Fishing North Carolina's Outer Banks: The Complete Guide to Catching More Fish from Surf, Pier, Sound, and Ocean (Southern Gateways Guides) [COLOR=#555555 !important]Paperback
by Stan Ulanski [COLOR=#555555 !important](Author)[/COLOR]
These 2 books have got my interest.. havent read them yet but customer reviews and previews look good. Just something to feed your fire while you wait..
by S. Cameron Wright (Author)
Fishing North Carolina's Outer Banks: The Complete Guide to Catching More Fish from Surf, Pier, Sound, and Ocean (Southern Gateways Guides) [COLOR=#555555 !important]Paperback
by Stan Ulanski [COLOR=#555555 !important](Author)[/COLOR]
These 2 books have got my interest.. havent read them yet but customer reviews and previews look good. Just something to feed your fire while you wait..
Some of my favorite spots to surf fish are right there...can't beat CALO or Shackleford for early and late season reds! We've had good luck on cut mullet...and shrimp for black drum.
Always take up an offer of a local with a boat! They'll know where the crabs are if they are out, and the fish! If you have a 4 wheel drive and the ferries are running, consider going over to CALO, its about as good as it gets. Be careful but go.
I dunno about the hermit crabs but lots of fiddlers on the backs of the barrier islands in the spring/summer.
Always take up an offer of a local with a boat! They'll know where the crabs are if they are out, and the fish! If you have a 4 wheel drive and the ferries are running, consider going over to CALO, its about as good as it gets. Be careful but go.
I dunno about the hermit crabs but lots of fiddlers on the backs of the barrier islands in the spring/summer.
I have never caught a redfish since i have started surf fishing. There's a gentleman on here that is offering to take me out on his boat and were going to try some places that way also. I plan on trying the pier to i have heard some good things. Do the bait shops down there sell live fish during that time of year i imagine they will sell frozen shrimp which is fine but i have always wanted to use live minnows and if so are they good for surf fishing or pier fishing.[/QUOTE
Live bait is not needed to catch surf Reds or Trout in March.
Yes, Minnows are good bait, frozen Shrimp too.
Have never seen Starfish or Hermit Crabs in March, because I'm not looking for them.
Think you can find them in the warmer months of summer. ...... ICM
Wings @ WB should have some hermits. The cage they come in prob cost more than the crab itself. I didn't see any fiddlers yesterday while on the river. Maybe underground due to the cold? Far as starfish, never noticed them before in the store/cold.
Lets hope the weather cooperates! If so, you will get to pull on a few real fish! (muscle wise)
Thanks to everyone for all your post, i went out the other day and did a little fishing and caught 2 and that was in a run off creek it was 43 degrees outside so you never know whats going to be out. I cant wait to go out on the Boat if we get to Brickphil no matter what we are going wheather its boat or land.. anyone else that wants to join the surf fishing at emeral isle on some days in march while im down is welcome to.
anyone else that wants to join the surf fishing at emeral isle on some days in march while im down is welcome to.
I drove 11 hours to hunt in Derby Indiana back in November. I am going to be in Orlando when you are here but you should have fun.Everyday im counting down the days till March 17th when i get to pack my 03 Ford Explorer and hit the Hwy from New Albany, IN to make that 9hr Drive to come and go fishing on the surf in Emerald Isle. My wife is ready to pull her hair out. Im hoping something is biting at the surf or around the piers but if not the sun rise in the morning will be worth it. I know this may seem stupid but does anyone know where you can find some hermit crabs during the late march month into april on the beach to show my kido's my son thinks there awsome he is upsest with starfish and hermit crabs.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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