The Carolinas - Question re: Hampstead

Guys, I currently fish the Chesapeake Bay in a 23' Parker CC but have the chance to relocate in the Wilmington/Hampstead area. I am unfamiliar with the fishing in that area. Will my size boat work well in that area? To large or to small? Thanks in advance, soca

you will be just fine. you can run offshore in that boat on good days and fish inshore all day long with that boat. Lots of paker boats around here.Masonboro Inlet in wrightsville beach wilmington is by far the best inlet, only one that has rock jetties.

Should be just fine. See Parkers around our area.
The disadvantage is you won't be able to fish the flats or back creeks.
Check out Cape Fear Angler we meet once a month ........ ICM

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cape-Fear-Anglers/130236497065335

x2 what Bodie & ICM said. That boat will be great for spanish / king mackerel, dolphin (mahi), and grouper off the beach. Your boat would be fine inshore for flounder & trout fishing. Certainly not going to wear out the skinny water as ICM says. Parkers are great boats down here for sure.

Welcome to the area and if you need help there are a lot of fishermen in the area that will buddy boat with you and will go with you on yours.
Also, there is another great site more locally focused - fryingpantower.com
Tight lines

I did the opposite, went from fishing Swansboro & Sneads Ferry to the lower Chesapeake. The as all above have said that boat will work great! Good luck, there are a lot of good people / places down that way.

Welcome to North Carolina! Hampstead's a great place. The county just opened up a new public ramp on Lewis Road in Hampstead. You will find many kindred spirits here.

Welcome to the area. As others have said your boat will be fine for down here. As a Maryland boy transplanted to Sneads Ferry I can say that I love it. Crabs are cheap if you buy them and free if your willing to get them. Shrimpings not bad either. Again welcome!

There's not much open inside water here-no open bays. In my opinion a 23 Parker will be great for nearshore/offshore but you might find yourself a bit frustrated trying to fish it inshore. For that you're going to find yourself wanting a flats boat or skiff. For inshore fishing, shallow draft is more important than rough water capability.

This was pulled out from under a dock today not far from Hampstead.
30" Red that weighted in at 12#'s ........ ICM

>> if you can fish the Chesapeake, you can fish anywhere on the East Coast! 23'Parker w/handle about anything; you can add a shallow skiff to your fleet if you desire the skinny water later...