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Random Quote: If you can't get out of it, get into it.
I'm considering a trip down the Oregon Inlet or Hatteras Inlet, possibly September or October? I would like to trailer my boat (Contender 23T) down from Maryland...I've done many offshore trips out of Ocean City, MD, Chincoteague and Wachapreague VA. I would like to try NC's offshore grounds.
Can you give me some advice on where to stay, specifically close to a ramp, parking and access to freshwater. Im not looking for a fancy place, I would prefer a less expensive place because the trip will be for several days so we can hopefully get a good weather day offshore. Also what is the average distance to the stream/weedlines from both inlets? Oregon Inlet is approx 6 hours driving, Hatteras is 7 1/2 so, Oregon Inlet is looking abit better as far as trailering...How good is the fishing in September and October? Any advice would be appreciated.
Fishing is great out of both inlets at that time of the year. My experience is with Oregon mostly, so I'll help you out there. The stream is app 34-38 miles out of Oregon Inlet. A popular place to fish offshore is The Point which is 38 miles out of the inlet.The fall tuna run should be going good about that time and wahoo is always a possibilty in october. A couple of good places to stay is the fin and feather inn. Nice affordable place to stay that allows pets. A really nice place to stay at is Pirates Cove. This is a well known marina with condos and apartments that surprisingly is pretty affordable, especially is you plan to stay a week. Boat ramp is across the street
Vettnman said exacly what I was thinking, that time of year it should be heating up offshore out of OI. Be at the ramp, in the water and ready to run at 5:30 am, follow the charters.
Thank you, I appreciate the advice and will look at The fin, Feather Inn and Pirates Cove. The deciding factor in this will be weather forecasts. Is September fairly decent weather wise offshore of Oregon Inlet?
Thank you, I appreciate the advice and will look at The fin, Feather Inn and Pirates Cove. The deciding factor in this will be weather forecasts. Is September fairly decent weather wise offshore of Oregon Inlet?
Too broad of a question. Oregon Inlet is a tough inlet. Adivse to follow a charter at a min the first time till you lay down your track. There is white water on both sides of the channel going out, so you do not want to make a mistake.
Be wary of a East wind for a couple of days prior or a forecast that talks about a East swell. These swells will be coming in the inlet and if the tide is going out, its not pretty.
Just spent the week in Pirates Cove with our 23wa and a strong 15k-25k SSW wind the whole time. Inlet was nice on the three days we went out, fishing was not that great as beach front had 70 degree water and venturing further out had to be done early before the winds (seas) built up.
I'm considering a trip down the Oregon Inlet or Hatteras Inlet, possibly September or October? I would like to trailer my boat (Contender 23T) down from Maryland...I've done many offshore trips out of Ocean City, MD, Chincoteague and Wachapreague VA. I would like to try NC's offshore grounds.
Can you give me some advice on where to stay, specifically close to a ramp, parking and access to freshwater. Im not looking for a fancy place, I would prefer a less expensive place because the trip will be for several days so we can hopefully get a good weather day offshore. Also what is the average distance to the stream/weedlines from both inlets? Oregon Inlet is approx 6 hours driving, Hatteras is 7 1/2 so, Oregon Inlet is looking abit better as far as trailering...How good is the fishing in September and October? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks, Mike.
I'd also advise staying near broad creek marina in wanchese, closer than pirates cove.
Here's a link not three minutes from the marina for a decent bed and breakfast...
I have read all of your posts here and on Tidal fish. I am glad that both you and your son made it back ok. I am not trying to diminish what happened in anyway but I was wondering why you decided to go out that day. I was there on the 11th of July and decided not to go out until after 10am because of the weather forecast and the tide. We also knew that the wind and swell was out of the north east or east for the past 5 days. The wind was not supossed to turn S-SW untill around 10-12am on the 11th. It was almost slick when we went out but there was still a big NE swell at 10am. I saw where you stated a big Sport Fisher pulled up and slowed, I would have thought that would have been a clue. Mark
Don't worry about diminishing what happened to me friend. You can't. I've posted all this for the benefit of anyone who cares to listen. I know what happened.
I read what you said and why you waited.
I decided to o that day because the forecast was good. I guess it's the same reason and forecast all the other boats that went saw as well. When I left VA Beach at 1:30 the NOAA forcast was for variable to SW 5-10 for that day. I got to the ramp and no wind, ate up with mosquitos getting the boat ready. Not a breeze. The flags coming through Nags head were luffing. Other boats were launching and leaving. I waited a while, maybe 10 boats left more coming. It was a little bumpy turning the corner but nothing unusual.
A wave cavitated my boat and I got a little nervous. I saw the three charters slowing up and I was looking hard and saw nothing, no sets no big waves and was moving forward slow. Then the wave grew straight up right in front of me. It was like an elevator best way I can describe it. From the time I saw the charter boats slowing up until the wave hit me was maybe 3 seconds. The wave grew in a second.
After the wave hit me and I got the water out of my boat a charter boat passed me and a couple small boats passed me then a few more charters till I got turned around to go in. It was flat calm after the wave.
There wasn't a breeze at the dock when I got in. For dang sure variable.
Our recollection of the forecast differs for certain for that day. I have ordered the forcast for that day for inshore and offshore forcasts from NOAA. There is a fee I have to pay but I will pay it. I'll share it when I get it.
I was talking with Shawn Flannigan today. He's the guy that made my enclosure and he'll be making this next one for me. He's in Hatterass right now. He makes most of the enclosures for the charter boats at OI and HI. Island Marine 757-647-2414. He does great work. Anyway, I shared my story with him. He has more than a dozen exactly the same that has happened to him and has another 10 dozen or more of exactly the same that he knows of with charter boats and small boats in that inlet. He tells of the same thing happening on larger scale to 60 footers. They run to Hatteras inside some days to get out.
I've done my best to explain what happened but you won't get it till happens to you or see it for yourself.
Don't worry about diminishing what happened to me friend. You can't. I've posted all this for the benefit of anyone who cares to listen. I know what happened.
I read what you said and why you waited.
I decided to o that day because the forecast was good. I guess it's the same reason and forecast all the other boats that went saw as well. When I left VA Beach at 1:30 the NOAA forcast was for variable to SW 5-10 for that day. I got to the ramp and no wind, ate up with mosquitos getting the boat ready. Not a breeze. The flags coming through Nags head were luffing. Other boats were launching and leaving. I waited a while, maybe 10 boats left more coming. It was a little bumpy turning the corner but nothing unusual.
A wave cavitated my boat and I got a little nervous. I saw the three charters slowing up and I was looking hard and saw nothing, no sets no big waves and was moving forward slow. Then the wave grew straight up right in front of me. It was like an elevator best way I can describe it. From the time I saw the charter boats slowing up until the wave hit me was maybe 3 seconds. The wave grew in a second.
After the wave hit me and I got the water out of my boat a charter boat passed me and a couple small boats passed me then a few more charters till I got turned around to go in. It was flat calm after the wave.
There wasn't a breeze at the dock when I got in. For dang sure variable.
Our recollection of the forecast differs for certain for that day. I have ordered the forcast for that day for inshore and offshore forcasts from NOAA. There is a fee I have to pay but I will pay it. I'll share it when I get it.
I was talking with Shawn Flannigan today. He's the guy that made my enclosure and he'll be making this next one for me. He's in Hatterass right now. He makes most of the enclosures for the charter boats at OI and HI. Island Marine 757-647-2414. He does great work. Anyway, I shared my story with him. He has more than a dozen exactly the same that has happened to him and has another 10 dozen or more of exactly the same that he knows of with charter boats and small boats in that inlet. He tells of the same thing happening on larger scale to 60 footers. They run to Hatteras inside some days to get out.
I've done my best to explain what happened but you won't get it till happens to you or see it for yourself.
Give Shawn a call.
I'll share the NOAA report soonest.
Bryan
Here is the problem I have with your story Bryan. I'll preface this by saying we have all made mistakes, myself included, I'm glad you and your son are OK, but, you are coming on here blaming everything but yourself and scaring alot of other people.
I remember that day like the back of my hand. If you say you had a forecast that made you think it was OK to run that inlet in the dark on the morning of July 11, in a small boat, then you do not know how to read the information that was out there. You didn't get hit by some rogue wave out of the blue. The inlet was nasty and you screwed up.
We cancelled the day before you went out. Low tide, NE wind 10 kts (from historical buoy data for that morning) and a 5 day NE blow. Screw the mosquitos. You cannot feel a NE wind at the ramp at the fishing center. I pulled the NOAA data. You don't have to pay a fee or wait for that data... it's out there. Midnight the night before it was blowing 15 knots from 30 degrees and it had been blowing like that and alot more for days. At 6:00am when you left the ramp it was dead low tide and the wind had laid down to 7knots... still NE and... at dead low tide after a very long blow.
Offshore3144 decided to go down and run out later after the tide switched and catch some bait. We knew the inlet was going to be a bugger at 6 am and decided to wait another day for an offshore trip.
You need to stop scaring everyone, admit the mistake and learn from it.
Sorry to be so blunt but take some responsibility dude.
I take full responsibility. Believe me. I'm paying the price as well. In more ways than you know or I care to share. I made a good choice at the time with the information I had. I also made it back to the dock. I also made the best of a very bad situation.
History now tells us that you made a better choice for you than me and one other person I know of on that day. I'm glad for you. The same day I went, you didn't, at least a couple dozen other small boats did. To them, they all made good choices. They made it out and back and had some fish clean. They never saw a monster wave in the inlet. Boats behind me didn't get hammered. What about those guys and the choices they made that day? Their's compared to yours or mine. They would all disagree with you and your choice about it being a bad day, as I do. Bad day for me....for certain.
The inlet wasn't "Nasty". You weren't there. I don't move the boat to go on bad days. I turn around and get back in bed. Anything more than 3-4 and I can't walk for 2 days and take pain medicine for my back. At 51 I don't have that sort of desire. I'm a fair weather boater, 100%.
It was not dark when the wave hit me. It was sunrise, light enough to see.
Stop scaring people? I've been running out of their for 25 years. I'm scared. My son and I almost died in that inlet. I experienced something I could never dream of. I think that is worthy of sharing with fellow boaters and fishermen. I hope the guy(s) in the small boat bringing his family down reads this and is completely aware and understanding of what is going on there. The dangers and the knowledge of at least one bad experience. If something in his gut tells him not to go and his family is safe, I'm glad. I wish someone had "scared me" a little.
In another post I suggested anyone interested to contact the CG station OI for the "truth". I doubt anyone has done that, especially those that "really know" the inlet.
What I get from you is that you can't believe that something like this can happen on a day that's not so bad. Or even happen at all. You're wrong. The pro's will tell you different. I can tell you different. I know different. I'm not sure what your contribution to this thread is other than to diminish my "story" as you put it. Everyone else is telling of similar experiences at the inlets. You made a better choice than me that day, great, we all know that.
I chimed in on the other thread because of the link that appeard on my thread on TF. I said there all I wanted to say. The thread there brought me here. Then the "pick your day posts".....
I sincerely hope this never happens to you or anyone else.... sums it up for me.
Like I said, I'll share the archive NOAA report when I get it.
What I get from you is that you can't believe that something like this can happen on a day that's not so bad. Or even happen at all. You're wrong. The pro's will tell you different. I can tell you different. I know different. I'm not sure what your contribution to this thread is other than to diminish my "story" as you put it.
...
This is my contribution to the thread and all the new guys.
Rock On Va Beach, you have no idea how to read conditions... and you don't realize it, making you dangerous.. I'm trying to tell others how to avoid your mistake. We could wait for you to tell them... but I'm not sure you understand today. I believe you would still make the same decision tomorrow, based on the same information. And just what were you doing, no crew, 6:00 in a nightmare heading where to do what? I am hoping that the rest of your contingency plans and safety gear were more prepared than your pre-launch plans.
This entire story isn't about a "day that's not so bad", it's about inlet conditions that were terrible. This is the key.. and the point I am trying to make.... it was bad, a bad decision to shoot it. Picking glass from your body should be a clue.
Have you ever seen a NOAA report that tells you Oregon Inlet Conditions?? No. This is where you have to use the data ... like I posted. It was there for you to read just as I did... and others, who cancelled that day.
New guys can read the numbers and learn how to use the data safely. HI and OI are alot of fun but you have to understand all the forecasts and the real time numbers and they were not in your favor that day. They certainly warrented caution. Pull up at the first set of cans and watch a few boats go through. Evaluate the white water across the bar. Wait an hour for conditions to improve... and don't expect the big boys to part the seas for you. Be capable of running under your own skills without help.
Homey I think you're gettin your money's worth on this one....
I knew in advance I would be criticized by somebody for what happened to me. No worries mate. Your danger is not believing what happened to me can happen to you. I hope you always make the decision that turns out safe.
If I have no idea how to read the conditions, the new guy doesn't have a chance. I think 25 years of reading weather reports and fishing offshore qualify me to give some opinion. Maybe 28 years of holding a current pilots license, reading weather reports and flying help some as well....maybe. So far my landings equal my takeoffs.
You make a good point in there not being a forecast for the inlet. Maybe there should be, if just a bouy report there. Well the forecast doesn't tell the whole story either. The inlet changes daily. Then the tide affect which is always changing. The forecast has a very unique affect on the inlet with every passing minute. You, no one, can read the forecast and predict exactly what's happening there. You'll get close with experience and right much of the time but you don't know.
I guess the other boats that made it out and back the same day at about the same time safely are all wrong as well? Possibly. Maybe lucky. Which is my point.
Like I said, you weren't there. The Inlet was not Knarly, not "bad", a little bumpy, but bad for me.
We can agree on one thing. Telling others to avoid a mishap. My purpose here.
I went on "Variable", luffing flags on the way down, no wind at the ramp, other smaller/similar boats launching behind me, smaller/similar boats going out before me, bumpy inlet that I've done many times before.
Not my day. As it turned out for me. Hind site's 20-20. The NE component and outgoing tide was more for me on that day than I planned on. It created a monster wave that appeared out of no where. I have a difficult time with eveyone else in smaller or similar boats making it out and back with no event.
If you don't believe a monster wave out of no where can appear right before your eyes I'm here to tell you otherwise. I have come to understand from my experience and research I have done that it's not "rogue" but more common than most think.
Best of luck.
As promised, the archive forecast for 7/11 sent to me by NOAA
ANZ085-111500-
BALTIMORE CANYON TO HATTERAS CANYON OUT TO 36N 70W TO 34N 71W
500 AM EDT SAT JUL 11 2009
.TODAY...N WINDS 10 TO 15 KT BECOMING VARIABLE 10 KT OR
LESS...EXCEPT FAR NW PORTION S 10 TO 15 KT LATE. SEAS 3 TO 5 FT
SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 4 FT LATE.
.TONIGHT...WINDS BECOMING S TO SW 10 TO 20 KT...HIGHEST NW. SEAS
3 TO 5 FT. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND TSTMS.
.SUN...SW WINDS 15 TO 20 KT...EXCEPT NW PORTION DIMINISHING TO
10 TO 15 KT. SEAS 3 TO 6 FT...HIGHEST E. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND
TSTMS.
.SUN NIGHT AND MON...SW WINDS 10 TO 20 KT...EXCEPT FAR NW
PORTION BECOMING VARIABLE 10 KT OR LESS EARLY MON. SEAS 4 TO 6
FT...EXCEPT NW PORTION 2 TO 4 FT. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND TSTMS SUN
NIGHT.
.TUE...SW WINDS INCREASING TO 15 TO 25 KT...EXCEPT NW PORTION
SHIFTING WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. SEAS 4 TO 7 FT...EXCEPT NW PORTION 2
TO 4 FT.
.WED...WINDS BECOMING S TO SW 10 TO 15 KT THROUGHOUT LATE. SEAS
BECOMING 3 TO 5 FT.
$$
AMZ150-111830-
S OF CURRITUCK BEACH LIGHT TO OREGON INLET NC OUT 20 NM-
315 AM EDT SAT JUL 11 2009
.TODAY...NE WINDS 5 TO 10 KT...BECOMING E LATE. SEAS 4 FT
DOMINANT PERIOD 7 SECONDS.
.TONIGHT...S WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING SW 15 TO 20 KT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. SEAS 3 TO 4 FT DOMINANT PERIOD 7 SECONDS.
.SUN...SW WINDS 15 TO 20 KT...DIMINISHING TO 10 KT IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS 2 TO 4 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS IN THE
AFTERNOON.
.SUN NIGHT...SE WINDS 10 KT...BECOMING SW AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SEAS 2 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.
.MON...W WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...BECOMING S IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS
AROUND 2 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.
.MON NIGHT...SW WINDS 15 TO 20 KT...BECOMING NW 10 TO 15 KT AFTER
MIDNIGHT. SEAS 2 TO 4 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND TSTMS.
.TUE...N WINDS 10 TO 15 KT...DIMINISHING TO 5 TO 10 KT. SEAS 3 TO
5 FT.
.WED...S WINDS 10 TO 15 KT. SEAS 2 TO 4 FT. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
TSTMS.
WINDS AND SEAS HIGHER IN AND NEAR TSTMS.
$$
FZUS52 KMHX 110729
SRFMHX
SURF ZONE FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEWPORT/MOREHEAD CITY NC
329 AM EDT SAT JUL 11 2009
NCZ103-111530-
OUTER BANKS DARE-
INCLUDING THE BEACHES OF...DUCK...KITTY HAWK...KILL DEVIL HILLS...
NAGS HEAD...RODANTHE...AVON...CAPE HATTERAS
329 AM EDT SAT JUL 11 2009
...MODERATE THREAT OF RIP CURRENTS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...
.TODAY...
RIP CURRENT RISK:
DUCK TO RODANTHE...MODERATE RISK.
RODANTHE TO CAPE HATTERAS...MODERATE RISK.
CAPE HATTERAS TO HATTERAS INLET...LOW RISK.
A MODERATE RISK MEANS WIND...WAVE AND TIDE CONDITIONS SUPPORT THE
DEVELOPMENT OF STRONGER OR MORE FREQUENT RIP CURRENTS ALONG THE
BEACHES. ONLY EXPERIENCED SURF SWIMMERS WHO KNOW HOW TO ESCAPE A
RIP CURRENT SHOULD ENTER THE WATER.
EVEN WHEN THE RISK IS LOW...RIP CURRENTS CAN OCCUR AT ANY
TIME...ESPECIALLY CLOSE TO PIERS...JETTIES AND SAND BARS.
LIGHTNING RISK...NONE. NO CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING EXPECTED.
UV INDEX...VERY HIGH...FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM.
WEATHER...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND
10 MPH BECOMING EAST.
SURF...WAVES IN THE SURF ZONE WILL BE 3 TO 4 FEET NORTH OF CAPE
HATTERAS AND 2 TO 3 FEET SOUTH.
AREA WATER TEMPERATURES: DUCK PIER HAS 76 DEGREES, AVALON PIER
REPORTED 77, OREGON INLET MARINA ON THE SOUND SIDE HAS 75 DEGREES,
AND HATTERAS ISLAND FISHING PIER REPORTED 74 DEGREES.
TIDE INFORMATION...
AT CAPE HATTERAS...
LOW TIDE AT 4:43 AM.
HIGH TIDE AT 10:41 AM.
LOW TIDE AT 4:32 PM.
HIGH TIDE AT 10:50 PM.
ALL BEACH GOERS SHOULD REMAIN AWARE OF INHERENT DANGERS WHEN
ENTERING THE SURF INCLUDING STRONG RIP CURRENTS...SWIFT
LONGSHORE CURRENTS...POUNDING SHORE BREAK AND SHALLOW SAND BARS.
IT IS SAFEST IF YOU SWIM AT A GUARDED BEACH AND ALWAYS HEED THE
ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND BEACH PATROL.
$$
Rock, I completly understand where you are coming from having been through your ordeal. Local knowlege of this inlet is key here. Thats is where others are coming from, too. As I mentioned a couple of days ago in this thread, you have to be wary of an easterly component several days prior to your trip, the swell can remain for quite a while, days. In addition, offshore disturbances, big lows or depressions, or hurricanes a thousand miles away can cause a swell with no wind in the forecast. Guys who run that inlet for years know this and for sure its always easy to predict.
You have taken great interest in learning from your experince, which is a good thing. On another note, another rule of thumb is that the moment your realise you need a life jacket, its too late if you dont have it on.
Note: At 6:00 the Tide was coming in not out...according to the report above. That throws a wrench in the monkey works. Must have been some left over going out.
Trip: No question. I appreciate you speaking up. It's as if I'm the only person here that this has happened to which I know is not true. You have to experience it to believe it...unfortunately.
Believe me I've learned alot. I have a considerable amount of experience but will never say I'm the end all on any subject. You can't learn anything if you know everything. Like I've mentioned I'm not sure I'll ever go there again. I'm far from dangerous. And I have enjoyed more good experiences than I can count out of that inlet. I've caught some whoppers. I have never had a bad experience with another boater or any CB captain. OI is the best offshore fishing around. That inlet is the Bermuda Triangle though. My guy Shawn told me today it's #10 rated dangerous inlets. 1-9 on the west coast. That makes it #1 most dangerous on the east coast.
Your safety gear comment is so true and so many of us think more about our fishing gear. I'm looking at 4 man liferaft from USA services here in VA Beach. Even with that on board my ordeal happened so fast it would have to self depoly to be any good to me. Really, how many people honstly wear their life jacket running out or at any time? I never see anyone wearing one on other boats offshore.
I'd also ike to mention that there is a big difference between a Forecast and a Report. Weather services issue forecasts that are based on information they have at the time that under ideal circumstances accurately at that time predicts what they believe will happen during a period in the future. It is sometimes accurate and sometimes not. Computer models are sometimes used to help predict the forecast. Everyone watches the weather forecast on the morning news everyday and it's rarely on target. I think the NOAA forecast is the best. As captains we use this forecast and other information to make a forecast of our own for the area we plan to be in for the period we plan to be there. Only an up to the minute bouy report or weather station report from where you will be in a very short time from that moment is difinitive....with the exception of a an actual live report from another captain. The best example I can think that you will relate to is someone coming on the radio and saying they are catching fish at a particular location. Everyone picks up and runs and now there is everyone within radio call at this spot. That's an up to the minute captain's report.
I'm not offering anyone a forecast. I'm not saying what I thought might happen based on a decision I didn't make. I'm providing you with a captain's report. It's what I saw and what I experienced over a time span of a few hours. It's accurate. What anyone chooses to do with that information is up to you. It's offered for your benefit. If you're scared or have night mares I'm sorry, you're in a group with me. If it helps you with your forecast, great. If it saves your life even better.
I've enjoyed the discussion and meeting some new folks.
Citations for all.
ROCK ON
Last edited by Rock On VA Beach; 08-04-2009 at 10:44 PM.
Rock, I completly understand where you are coming from having been through your ordeal. Local knowlege of this inlet is key here. Thats is where others are coming from, too. As I mentioned a couple of days ago in this thread, you have to be wary of an easterly component several days prior to your trip, the swell can remain for quite a while, days. In addition, offshore disturbances, big lows or depressions, or hurricanes a thousand miles away can cause a swell with no wind in the forecast. Guys who run that inlet for years know this and for sure its always easy to predict.
You have taken great interest in learning from your experince, which is a good thing. On another note, another rule of thumb is that the moment your realise you need a life jacket, its too late if you dont have it on.
Rock on, as others have stated, glad you and your son made it back. What I don't get, is why you are telling everyone OI is dangerous, and telling your story on every thread about OI. Is it your objective to try and get people not to use the inlet?? We've all had bad experiences at one time or another either offshore, going through an inlet, or even tied up to a dock. You learn from it and move on. You make it sound like Oregon Inlet is this dangerous place that nobody should go out of. Offshore, and Headhunt are two guys that have a lot of local knowledge about both hatteras and Oregon inlets. Triple sounds like he knows the inlet pretty well too. I started going out of Oregon Inlet 2 years ago, and I'm still learning about the place. It does change every trip I go out of it, but as long as you're patient and read the signs, and ask for some local guidance on the place, you shouldn't have a problem. I completely symphasize with what you went through, but local knowledge about a particular inlet is key to knowing how to navigate it safely. Guys, some of the best fishing on the east coast is out of OI. Homey, our two boats are very similar. Anytime you wanna make a run out of OI this fall, pm me on here and we'll buddy boat out of there and go catch some tuna.
ROCK ON I think what most are saying here is that it is not just the forecast we look at but what has happened the previous days before the day you intend to go out this includes the tides. Knowing what conditions are like the prior days and the evening before will give you a great indication what to expect the next day. Of course most don't look at that they just look at the forecast. If one important thing comes out of this thread it should be that they should look at all the information to make the decision to go out or wait. Personally for OI if the wind has been blowing hard out of the north or north east for more than a day or so I would use great caution when making a decision to leave the inlet before the wind turns plus the tide is going out.Hate to see you not go out. I have fished almost all the inlets in NC and they all have there quirks and they all can be very destructive. For example I have seen the Cape fear inlet far worse than any I have ever been out of including OI.....Tight Lines Mark
Note: At 6:00 the Tide was coming in not out...according to the report above. That throws a wrench in the monkey works. Must have been some left over going out.
ROCK ON
Again, low tide at Bonner Bridge 7-11-09 was 5:58am. The wrench is you do not have accurate info. You are correct, it is one of the most dangerous inlets in the US. For that reason alone, you have to be very sure of your information. I think that is the point several of us are trying to tell the new guys. Use the right information, chose good conditions and go fish.
Advice Please, Oregon Inlet or Hatteras Inlet? 
