[Stuck in ohio]

To start off, I would like to say thank you for the forum.

Back story. I am a Ohio native that has made many trips to the coastal South. I enjoy the beach, the sun, and especially the fishing. Pier fishing when I want to relax (especially at night), Surf fishing when I want to explore. Jobs have kept me from enjoying the coast for the last several years due to work schedule. Fortunately, I have a new career that gives me extended time off-5 days- every three weeks. I try to fish locally, but the more I fish locally, the more I miss surf and pier fishing.

I see an opportunity to to get out into the surf more often, It wont be every rotation, but maybe every other. Spend two or three days fishing, and then back to work. Problem is, I am pretty far away in terms of mileage from the surf, and I dont have budget for hotel/motel stays, especially in high season. So I am looking for ways to fish on the cheap, and was wondering if anyone else is/has been in a similar situation.

Camping is an option, but I am unfamiliar with camping in Virginia/NC coastal regions. Is it readily available? Safe? I do not have a camper, so I would be tent camping. Inexpensive mom and pop motels? Pitching a tent on the beach?

Areas to fish. I would to keep the distance ~8 hours. That puts me into Virgina and Northern NC. Any other options available?

Thanks for your input and suggestions.

 

[notso]

Well depending on the beach and time of year, you can definitely crash out on the beach. Many a hobo drum camp have been setup on various beaches for a few days at a time. While it is technically not allowed, it used to be done all the time on Hatteras, but you probably can't get away with it too much any more. Back when the beaches were open all night, I remember seeing a statement from a park service person that basically said, sleeping on the beach during the day is "taking a nap", but sleeping on the beach at night is "camping". The simple solution is to fish all night and sleep during the day.

Corova (NC) is not part of the national park, so it doesn't fall under the same rules. In the fall it can be good and I have personally slept in the truck for a few nights up there. I know there are several camp grounds on Hatteras and Ocracoke. I have stayed at a few of them. Portsmouth island is pretty much a free for all as far as camping goes. I've seen lots of folks setup tents down there, but I've also seen several tents rolling down the beach. If you have a truck will a shell or an SUV, I would suggest just sleeping in the back if you plan to be out on the beach.

As far as "Mom and Pop" rooms goes. It's tough to beat Drumdum's place in Frisco. His wife Jody rents a few rooms out on the 1st floor of their home. Nothing fancy, but clean and the rooms come with local intel from very good fishermen.

 

[Fish'n Phil]

Airbnb?

 

[greg12345]

What type of fishing do you do locally? I am about 6h from the stretches of beach I like to fish and I just didn't have the time (or $$$) to go down frequently even though I love it. I now spend most of my time camping/backcountry fishing VA, WV, TN, NC. Almost as happy now with a fly rod in my hand on the river as with my surf rod in the spike...almost. There is some great water in WV...monongahela NF, not to mention GW/J national forest in VA

If you are dead set on the coast I would suggest fall, less crowds, less costs, late in the fall it cools up and bugs ease off slightly, make camping much more tolerable at the coast. Plus fall in NC is the time when you want to be out there fishing IMO. I grew up camping at the coast (Atlantic Beach, NC) all the time. Lot of campgrounds/options to stay on the cheap in SE NC.

 

[Stuck in ohio]

I don't do much river fishing. I have tried steelhead fishing, with no luck. I do have 2 fly rods, but I look like a monkey screwing a football trying to cast. I am not comfortable river fishing, I must say. Secondly, I don't know squat about river fishing. I don't have any friends that fish, nor really know anyone that fishes locally. Sometimes two heads are better than one.