[Guest]

I ask this on another forum, was directed to this one. Im camping AI here soon and I've got some questions.

Can I run a generator on the surf?

I build a pneumatic bait launcher to get it to the sharks (beats hauling a yak). I don't think it's illegal...right lol?

Plan on camping right on the surf and fishing 24/7. Am I gonna have a tent full of ghost crabs? If so, how do I avoid this other than a tight zipper.

Do I really have to buy firewood there??

 

[YodaFisherman]

I at least can answer some of your questions.

Generator - you can use these in the park. I have seen people camping just off the beach and have run cords onto the beach, but I don't thing there would be an issue with a small portable, that is unless others complain.

Bait launcher - don't know the legal answer, but why do you need to do this? I catch most of my best fish within 30 yards of the beach. Only during the height of the migratory striper season is distance casting an advantage and they are not in the area yet.

Crabs - These little guys will crawl everywhere in search of food. Their activity will be slowing down as the nights get colder, but they are an industrious bunch. The zipper on the tent will more than suffice.

Firewood - It is illegal to transport firewood across state and even some county lines. So, firewood needs to purchased locally. There is a guy on RT 611 that sells it, and it's reasonable in cost.

 

[JollyJimbo]

Transporting firewood into a Maryland Park Service campground is prohibited in order to minimize the risk of transporting Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive species, into unaffected areas of the state. All firewood must be purchased within Worcester County.

 

[Guest]

You guys are awesome. Thank you.

The bait launcher is more of a project and I know at obx where we surf fish it's a considerable distance to the back of the 2nd sandbar. More than I can cast. I've heard this is shark territory. I'm a freshwater fisherman and a mainlander so please excuse my ignorance in some matters. Besides the bait launcher is awesome lol. It was more of a hobby and when you build something that works it's worth using .

 

[JollyJimbo]

a bait launcher is a pretty sweet idea

 

[mdsurffishing]

a bait launcher is a pretty sweet idea

you can't set up a tent on the beach and no sleeping either on the beach, they do have sites that are right behind the dunes but that's it and it's not that close to the surf. you can purchase firewood a few miles before you get to the park by Bucks Place. The Bait launcher might be a problem, I think they might have added a rule about them recently so it's better to ask them. And the crabs don't bother that much.

 

[Guest]

I read that you can set up camp on the beach as long as someone is fishing and we plan on fishing the whole weekend at night at least. Is this not the case?

 

[fish-on]

I read that you can set up camp on the beach as long as someone is fishing and we plan on fishing the whole weekend at night at least. Is this not the case?

Technically, you are not supposed to sleep on the beach, but hey, who hasn't...lol. Someone must be actively fishing at night. As long as someone is awake, you should be good, but if you all fall asleep and the Ranger happens to stop by...you may get a ticket.

 

[Byron/pa]

Mid Oct should be ideal, I was down last weekend (very slow) will be down this weekend and then over the 15/16.........At that time of year, I'd think you'll be able to fish right behind the campgrounds, no driving in that area though....
I head down the beach in the early am hours and see folks that have spent the night, they often have tents set up. I think as long as one person is awake, you'be ok...

 

[YodaFisherman]

Something else to keep in mind. The wild horses there are a curious bunch and will sneak up on you. I've had them almost get within 10 feet of me while fishing in the dead of night. Scares the crap out of you if they get that close and you are unawares. They are quite quiet on the sand.

 

[Fishbreath]

So most of your questions have been answered:

Firewood - you can bring if you camp in the National Park but you have to build a fire below the tide line.

Camping - You can't set up a tent and sleep on the beach. There are designated wilderness campsites in the ORV section behind the dunes or the SUV/Camper Truck area about halfway down the beach (can't remember the mile mark)

Crabs - no worries

Bait Launcher - I think its illegal (not sure)

Generator - Not sure but you can get online and check the website for details or stop in at the Ranger station before getting on the ORV section.

Pray for an East wind....

 

[YodaFisherman]

I'm curious about the distance thing. Grant it, when fishing in the fall for Stripers getting on the other side of the bar can be necessary, but usually casting that far in not necessary. In fact it can be detrimental to catching fish. Most of the good fish I catch are within 30 yards of the beach and many within 10 yards. I have fished the Outer Banks for over 40 years and have never encountered a time when I could not cast far enough.

My Wife or friend and I always start with 4 poles:

1) Cut bait on bottom rig casted as far as possible - 4 to 6 oz. 50# leader and 7/0 circle hook.
2) Mullet rig casted as far as possible
3) A hand tied dropper rig with two 5/0 hooks one with cut bait the other with squid casted about 30 to 40 yards out
4) A store bought high/low rig with 2/0 circle hooks using any combination of sand fleas, shrimp, squid or Fishbites casted about 10 to 30 yards out.

Whichever starts to produce the others are be changed and most of the time it's the mullet rig and bottom rig that are not productive. Also the bait will be changed to that which it producing.

 

[ESRob]

I ask this on another forum, was directed to this one. Im camping AI here soon and I've got some questions.

Can I run a generator on the surf? I recommend keeping the Gennie on the beach and out of the surf. (badump bump..) But seriously, I have never seen any regs against gensets. Might want to check on that.

I build a pneumatic bait launcher to get it to the sharks (beats hauling a yak). I don't think it's illegal...right lol?
I thought the mechanical launchers just became illegal in OC only? I'd go for it.

Plan on camping right on the surf and fishing 24/7. Am I gonna have a tent full of ghost crabs? If so, how do I avoid this other than a tight zipper.Been to AI many, many times. Never seen one. But, I don't believe in ghosts, so..

Do I really have to buy firewood there?? I always bring mine, but I'm fairly local. I've never had anyone inquire about the origin of my firewood.

And as far as the camping, you can set up a tent and stay on the beach all night without hassle, as long as you are "engaged in recreation".
Recreational napping is not a thing, just so you know.

Clear as mud, right?

 

[crappie410]

Could you please post a report about that bait launcher? That sounds awesome lol

 

[Guest]

Im a mainlander and have fished freshwater my whole life other than a couple times a year when we venture east, so im always learning. What we will be fishing for are sharks with the big poles and i have a couple 6'6 and 7' med and mh rigs for fishing within the sandbar. my plan is to run a big piece of cut bait out at a distance set it and wait and fish the inner shores in the meantime.

the bait launcher: i got the idea from an air cannon using a piston valve from youtube. after it was made and whatever size the barrel is (mine is threaded to change barrel sizes) i took another 6" long piece of pvc thats the diameter of the barrel, capped one end, and for trials filled it full of water and froze it. For fishing purposes, ill fill it with fish guts, the hook with cut bait, lead, and leave the line out the top to attach it to the fishing line.
its simple really, has a holding tank, valve,barrel,piston...fill the holding tank to the desired PSI (i use a compressor), then open the valve which actuates the piston and POW. i was shooting potatoes 250-350 yards at 40 PSI.

 

[SteveZ]

Raining this morning. It can get pretty nasty at AI.