Need Advice on Fishing out of Oregon Inlet - The Hull Truth

KenG · 09-07-2009, 02:31 PM

I'm taking a vacation from my normal fishing grounds, out of Barnegat Inlet, NJ, and will be near Oregon Inlet the week of Sept 20. Four of us would like to charter a boat to take a shot at tuna, billfish, or mahi. Last year we checked out Pirates Cove, but they seem to be predominately the big 60' boats. I looked at the charters advertising 35-40' boats, but they are saying they go out 20 miles on full day trips, and don't advertise tuna and billfish fishing.

With 4 guys, we could easily do a 30-35' boat, but I don't even see any advertised. Also, I'm not sure just how far, or how long the trip is, to get out to where tuna or billfish are. We are also hoping we have a shot a mahi, whereever we end up, heck, I had one 12-15lb bull cruise by my boat last week, only 2 miles from Barnegat Inlet.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Ken

racer27 · 09-07-2009, 04:00 PM

Is the reason you want a smaller boat the price or you just want a smaller boat? You can find someone to take you cheaper on a smaller boat, but remember, you will get what you pay for. The guys that do it for a living use larger boats for their comfort and yours. The guys at the fishing center all charge the same price and they will put you in the meat!

KenG · 09-07-2009, 04:12 PM

Well, that's the real question - do you need to charter one of the big boats to get to where the tuna and billfish are? I have a 27' walkaround, run out 30 miles, and feel it is plenty comfortable. I don't quite understand why the 30-35' boats don't seem to target tuna - is it because they are only willing to go out 20 miles?

racer27 · 09-07-2009, 04:29 PM

No you don't need a big boat to fish for tuna, but the fishing center and other marinas have a boat length requirment for gulfstream charterboats. I see 24 footer out there every pretty day and some when they should not be there. We average 38 miles from the beach, so you need to carry the fuel.

pablor · 09-07-2009, 10:57 PM

The 'fleet' at both Pirates Cove and OI is all large boats. There are smaller boats you can privately charter, but not through the marina... You can get the marina to arrange a makeup charter and get them to get 2 people to add to your crew if it is a price issue...

Spearo · 09-10-2009, 11:01 AM

You may want to look up The Pelican out of O.I., great Capt.

fishnwrestle · 09-10-2009, 06:28 PM

Mr. colbie is the boat to go on, the capt is great and knows what he is doin. i think hes a third or fourth generation charter capt as well

Blue Magic · 09-12-2009, 01:54 PM

Try Broad Creek Marina in Wanchese. The people that run the marina and charter service are reaaly nice and will go all out to help you.....say hi to Junior for me.
http://www.broadcreekmarinaobx.com/

liveaboard74 · 09-13-2009, 05:22 AM

Rode down last night with a few friends that have rag tops to Outback in Nags Head and wanted to check out the fleet at OI. There were two boats out there that you could not have put any more flags on them as to their catch of sails yesterday. Several more boats had a good number of flags . We do the circle everytime we go for dinner with our convertible club and came back by the cove . Did not walk the dock there but seen people still on the boats and flags flying there also. . Great time to go now. Have fun. .

blueh20pc · 09-13-2009, 12:26 PM

The offshore charters are big for a reason. Oregon Inlet is big water 5 out of 7 days of the week. The Gulfstream boats have to be able to get out of the inlet as much as possible so they can make a living, while the near shore and sound boats can compromise and fish inside if it's nasty.

The offshore boats have two things in mind. Safety and catching fish. For that you need a big boat.

If I was trying to charter something for Tuna, Bills and Mahi, Oregon Inlet fleet would be my choice, specifically, this boat....

http://outerbanksncfishingcharters.com/

Capt Daniels will do what you want, and get you back with fish in the box if they are their to be caught.