September is an excellent time of the year to discover North Carolina's Outer Banks also known as the OBX. Puppy Drum are plentiful this time of year at Oregon Inlet and the Large Croaker fishing (up to 3 pounds) is very promising. Striper outfits will do fine for fishing from the south side jetties or bridge's catwalk at Oregon Inlet. The Oregon Inlet Fishing Center also has fresh bait when you're up that way, but just in case be sure to bring a cast net for finger mullet should be around and make excellent bait. When you can get it, fresh finger mullet is the optimum bait for this time of the year. One mullet minnow cut in half will bait 2 hooks on a standard beaded bottom rig. Basic 2 hook beaded bottom rigs work fine for drum, flounder, and both varieties of trout (gray and speckled). Mustad hooks in a size 5 are perfect for the mullet minnows. For shrimp and bloodworms go with a no. 2 long shank bronze eagle claw hook. You will need a good pair of needle nose pliers for tough hook removal. You'll also need some bank sinkers and pyramid weights from 3 to 5 ounces. Use the bank sinkers near the jettys for best results. The Oregon Inlet Bridge is often a hot spot at night this time of the year. Stripers can show at anytime near the shoals at the north side. Watch for increased boat activity during the day for clues to their presence.

For Surf Casting you need at least an 8 foot medium action fast taper rod and really a 9 footer would be even better. The best all around length for surf fishing is a 10 footer. You can get better casting distance with this length and it holds your line above the crashing surf better. You can make do fairly well with striper outfits and light line. Just be sure to keep your spools full. Of course you will need some pvc sand spikes. They're sold just about everywhere or you can make your own. Lawn chairs and a beach umbrella can at times come in handy too so if you have them be sure to bring them along.

Further south towards the Avon area is good for migratory grays and flounder. Puppy drum will be scattered all along the surf the entire length of the island with shoal areas and tight sloughs near fishing piers always holding good schools. There is a good slough just north of the Avon pier accessible from ramp 34 in Avon. Check in with Frank and Frans for local information for that area.

Keep a check on the piers in the area just in case there's a big pre fall run in progress. Also try and be on the surf at the break of dawn. Most of the time this is when fishing is the best and action often peaks.

Just 8 miles south is Buxton, so be sure to fish Cape Point especially in advance of a cold front. A southwesterly wind here always brings the fish in to easy casting range and everybody does well. Nighttime on Cape Point can be very productive and you should at least try this type of surf fishing out. Fishermen at Cape Point are generally friendly and willing to help with advice, when approached in a humble and gracious manner. If you do happen to run into one with an attitude, just pass him by and ask someone else. There's enough good people around, that you shouldn't have to bother with bad attitudes. Besides, that's not typical of the North Carolina hospitality, that has brought so many to our coast to surf fish. Fish finder drum rigs work well here with the circle hooks being preferred for catch and release use. Red Drum Tackle Shop in Buxton is a good source of gear and advice and is also one of the closest to Cape Point. Also Dillons right across the street is well stocked and maintained by experienced fisherman who are always willing to help you out. Be sure to stop by their place too. Further down the island in Frisco, is Frisco Rod and Gun where you can find an excellent assortment of tackle and fresh bait, along with an experienced and courtesy sales staff.

Since it is September you will need some mosquito protection around sunset when the wind subsides in speed. Remember that in September, there's always something biting, even if its nothing but the mosquito's. These Hatteras Skeeters are particular aggressive for about an hour either side of sunset. Later, as the night breezes pick up they are not as much of a problem. Just keep a good can of spray and lightly mist exposed areas.

The south side of Cape Point is good for gray trout, sea mullet, and flounder. Puppy Drum will be readily available on the shoals just off the point tip. Just watch what all the other fishermen are doing and follow suit. There's also plenty of room to fan out and sport available for everyone.

Cut whole mullet is a good bait if you cant get finger mullet and also keep some bloodworms and fresh deheaded shrimp handy. Often you can pick the grays up off the bottom when bluefish are feeding the mid depths.

In the daytime on Hatteras Island if the water is clear be ready with some stingsilvers or hatteras minnows to throw for spanish mackeral. Lure colors in Pink and white, pink and green, or green and white all work well. Just watch what most are throwing for the best colors at the time. Also mid morning is often good for nice pompano on sand bugs that you can dig up right in the surfs edge when the water recedes. You'll see them digging in near the surfs edge as the waves recede and they make excellent bait. That's what most of the pompano feed on and Sea Mullet love them as well. Further south along Hatteras Island are the beaches of Frisco and Hatteras. Lots of good flounder, and sea mullet action can be found here. Beaches are generally less crowded in these areas and there's lots of room to spread out. Hatteras Inlet can be accessed by the beach road, that begins where Highway 12 ends right there at the Ferry Landing in the town of Hatteras. Inlet fishing for flounder, gray trout, spanish mackeral, and bluefish is really good here, especially when the tides are not too strong, the surf is clear, and the weed is not too big of a problem. Sorry, if that sounded a little complicated. If you've never fished an inlet before, you need to, so you'll have a better idea of just what Im talking about here.

Now...for the best part, which Ive saved for last. Ocracoke Island. Paradise of all Paradises. Beaches unlike any you will ever find north of Florida. Fishing as good as it can get with natural scenic beauty, that Hatteras Island residents envy! Alan and Melinda Sutton are the knowledgeable source of fishing information on Ocracoke and their shop is staffed by very courteous and friendly fishermen. Anything in the way of fishing gear from rods and reels to tackle, you'll find here. When you stop in to visit, be sure to let them know we sent you. Good Luck with your September trip to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Hope that it will be your first of many returning trips to the home of some of the best surf fishing to be found on the east coast.