Lizard fish were think in Emerald Isle this year. Funny thing is I never caught one in the Nags Head area. I guess maybe Nags Head is north of their typical range? 

Used to catch them in the TX bays all the time....feel like a stick reeling it in the back water....scary looking, but harmless.....
never tried one for shark bait but may have to if they are prevalent in the surf in EI.  Hopefully we can get into the whiting (sea mullet) but, if they are decent size, may be tempted to keep some for a fish fry.  
 
High tides don't look to be lining up very well for me there in the evenings...may be solo'ing in the AM for High Tide fishing since my son probably won't get outta bed!!  
 
Unfortunately, high tide on a couple days, mid day, so unless the weather is bad, won't be putting out long lines for toothed fish on the beach....
 
In any case, any trip to the beach is a bazillion times better than commuting to dahntahn PBURGH for work.

https://youtu.be/TFKqg21NhKI
 
This is what I am hoping for in less than 2 weeks, minus the break off (some colorful language at the end).  This was from a poster down in TX, night fishing by himself....
That was 80# braid set at 50# of drag...it dumped several hundred yards off the reel before it broke off....BIG shark....
 
Not long before that, he lost another good bite on his 80w (big gold offshore trolling reels you see)...it somehow got his 800# mono leader into its mouth (he did have a steel bite leader) and bit through it.  

Big whiting, just use the head and save the rest for fish fry. Win/win!

Lizards will hit tins pretty hard, then wet stick. At least get your heart racing for a second. When they don’t rip a run or two of drag, you know it isn’t a blue or Spanish. I’ve caught some 15”-18” ones that will pull a bit, but most you can tighten your drag and pull them out of the water without feeling much of anything.

Small hooks with small pieces of shrimp should get you some decent size panfish to use whole.

Ordered some fishbites yesterday, shrimp and clam...will be here early next week.  
Need to go through and organize my other gear...hopefully I have enough spider weights and bigger weights...break offs inevitable...

Any of yinz ever fish in or around Charleston, SC?  Heading there in a few weeks to move one kid to college and another kid to a new job.  Will be staying at my daughter's house in Summerville, a half hour from downtown Charleston.  
 
Could definitely hit some of the beaches, but looking more to hit some of the rivers or marshes to wade fish.  Might look into a 1/2 charter or something too.  

I just fished on Kiawah from the beach and in the brackish ponds there in June.  Never fished Isle of Palms when we stayed there....just did the beach thing. 
 
If you can find access to the back side, lots of good looking water there...just can't say I ever fished it.  Be careful though...much bottom can suck you in pretty deep.....
 
Breach Inlet is probably your best shot at access.  There is a parking lot on both sides I think (IOP and Sullivans).  Always dolphins there though so kind of messes with fishing.

Thanks eyes.  
 
That Breach Inlet looks pretty nice on Google maps.  I'll give it a further look for sure.  

I’ve never fished Charleston, but a buddy of mine kayak fishes it with his brother that lives there. They crush reds and trout.

You may want to consider a guide instead of charter. Or both…. The guide will set you up with a spot or two that you can use in the future.

Or save your cash from those and buy your daughter two kayaks with the understanding that you and the boys can use at any time!

Are there gators in those back waters?

Yeah, guide is what I meant. Contacted two today that specialize in fly fishing for reds, which is like the holy grail for both my boys. Pretty reasonable rates and I was hoping the older one would learn some places he can go, because to be honest he’s going to school in Charleston so he can major in fly fishing for reds and duck hunting, and minor in accounting. He’ll be 15 minutes from his sister and bought a truck in the past year and has the money to buy something that floats. He’s talked about a paddle board so he can stand more easily to fly fish instead of a yak.

Gators seem to be pretty common in the rivers and canals there. They have seen quite a few in all of their trips there in the past year.