What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Hatteras, North Carolina for the first time?

Don't buy expensive gear if it's your first time and if you're not sure you're going to like it. Just get a simple rod and reel setup from a local bait and tackle shop and use some pre-made steel high low rigs to start with a 1, a 2, or a 3 ounce weight. You probably won't need 4 to be honest. Shrimp and squid are good live baits and reasonably priced. Clam is okay. Some people swear by worms, but they're pricey down here. For surf fishing, you won't need anything more than 12-15 lb test I wouldn't think, so don't go crazy. You're not catching Tuna. When you get ready to fish, look at the surf and see what the ocean is doing. Try to spot sandbars and look at where the waves are breaking. You want to try find some deeper water right past the sand bar or deeper water right before the sandbar. That should churn up the ocean and fish will be looking to feed there. Last and maybe most importantly, try to fish at dawn/dusk and at high tide when the water is deeper. If high tide coincided with dawn and dusk, that's absolutely idea, so check the Avon tide chart by googling it. You can go out at low tide and look at the beach to see where the deeper water might be..

Hire Captain Jeff with Island Saltwater Adventures. He caters to newbies and is extremely knowledgeable.

July isn't the best fishing month but it was when we were invited to visit our children. We were happy to catch puppy drum and enjoyed being on the water.

I'd recommend booking with an experienced captain as the conditions are constantly changing in the area. Getting some first hand knowledge will help us greatly on future outings.

we went fishing after a big and long storm. The fishing was not good that day and it was in the afternoon. But we got to go out to the ocean and see some sites.

Ask around for the best spots and bait. Most people are more than happy to help out and wish you the best of luck.

Take a boat like to see drain for the meet and captain and teach you how to fish be very patient with you

I would try a makeup charter if you want to go offshore and only have 1 or 2 people. Great way to get that experience for a fraction of the cost.

Certainly a place for first time a fishing experience. Last time was my first and I came back again this year and booked the Hatteras Blue again.

Take something for motion sickness. Even if you don't think you need it, it is not worth taking the chance. Bring a hat!

Plan your trip accordingly. Hatteras seems like it is a long way from Nags Head. There are plenty of good restaurants once you arrive. Tight lines.

Allow yourself a couple of possible days to go fishing. Wind and weather can be unpredictable year-round and it's nice to have another day to go if you get blown out.

Plan for any kind of weather! We had beautiful sun and 65* but were prepared for cold weather too.

Pay attention to the weather and dress accordingly! Relax, have a good attitude, and enjoy.

Come earlier in the year to have better chance of catching targeted fish. Ours was Tuna