Heading to NC Coast next week

I need to go to Raleigh for a week or two and will probably head to the coast for a couple days.
I will probably be by myself but might have sister and nephew in tow.
Any idea of what is hitting from the piers and where the fish are running.
I am open to go anywhere along the coast but wonder if there are more fish in the north coastal area around Nags Head, The central area around New Bern or Morehead City or to go south to Wrightsville/ Carolina beach.
 I like pier fishing and it is somewhere my sister and nephew can fish.

If I am by myself I will probably go on a Captain Stacy charter at Atlantic Beach-or another that allows an add on. http://www.captstacy.com/
 
I have fished the piers many times and know that FRESH SHRIMP, blood worms cut bait, and squid  are usually a good bait.

Do any of the Gulp products work?
The gulp alive is mentioned on some of the websites but I tried the shrimp and crabs but never got a bite.

Thanks, Marty

Marty,
Try fishbites.  They work and stay on the hook.  The work good for pompano and spots.  Also, fresh finger mullet cut into 1-2" chunks fished on circle hook double drops in the surf should catch you reds, trout and stripers.  When we went in Sept. a couple years ago we caught a bunch like this.  If you are into the surf fishing thing, just take some 2" dia. 5' sections of white pvc for rod holders. 
 
 

I just got back yesterday from Hatteras where I fished the Frisco Pier for a week.  As the week progressed the fishing got better, due to the N'Easter that came through the previos week.  The water was starting to clear and the winds and surf died down.  I was catching flounder, bluefish and the occasional spanish mackeral, some of the local were fishing for puppy drum but I didn't see any caught.  I use a cast net and catch live finger mullet for bait, which in my opinion is the best way to go since the mullet run pretty much starts the fall migration.  Good luck.

Try fishbites. They work and stay on the hook.

I did use fishbites last time I was there with some success.

Fresh shrimp has always been the best bait for me.


Thanks to all

Marty don't know if you'll be this far south but Red Drum Tackle has a pretty good reports page for the area around the Southern OBX

I think in October I just need to be in the right place, get lucky and find a school migrating south.
Pompano is one of my favorite fish to catch and eat.

I already have an assortment of Sea Striker Got-Cha Jigs to use for blues

I also would like to catch a yellow tail on a charter and smoke it either whole or in fillets.

Another question:
How is the crabbing off the piers this time of year.
I am looking for my crab traps but have way too much stuff!

Marty don't know if you'll be this far south but Red Drum Tackle has a pretty good reports page for the area around the Southern OBX

That is about 5 1/2 hours from Raleigh, I can be at Morhead City in about 3hr.
It is farther south but the road is a lot better.

Nags Head is only 3hr 20min
I am probably only staying over night but might do this twice.
Once wile traveling to or from Raleigh and once with Sis and Nico

I usually end up somewhere along the NC coast or Myrtle Beach around Christmas or New Years and the fishing from a pier or surf is slow.
Small sharks are my main catch.
Would love to grill whole with a rotisserie but you are not allowed to keep from a SC beach

I think that was one of the first E coast piers that I ever fished on.
Had a great time there with spots.

Another pier I liked was the Iron Steamer. RIP

Carolina Princess charters out of Moorehead City. Check 'em out. Also the Sportsmans pier on Atlantic beach

I have been on the Sportsmans Pier
And the Princess sounds familiar-I have been on 1 charter and 2 headboats in the NC SC area.

Johnny Mercer Pier was very nice but they only allow 1 rod.
A second rod is full price and I think they were the most expensive to start with.
Most visits I stayed at the Sheraton with a pier- I think it was Atlantic Beach
Last visit the last 1/3 of the pier was missing and the rooms were in need of a  good cleaning or preferably a full remodel.

At Myrtle I have stayed at Springmaid Resort and fished their pier with mixed results.
I think I have cought the most and best fish at either Apache or Chery Grove

I stoped at a fish market and bought fresh shrimp for bait.
These were some of the nicest shrimp I have seen in a long time-wish I bought more to take home.
 
Blood worms seemed to be doing better than my shrimp or the fishbites.
 
I went to Bass Pro Shops to by Blood Worms but they don't have live bait.
Wally World wanted to give me nightcrawlers.
You would think being less than a mile from the ocean they would have them.
The pier sells them but were sold out

Could not get the family out of the house til afternoon.
It was raining lightly in Raliegh then some sun then some rain
20 minutes before Wilmington was the last of the rain.