East coast Lighthouse and Fishing advice sought.

[Oldtymeflyr]

We are planning a trip to the east coast from May 15 to about June 5.

We will be arrive at the coast in Delaware and work our way south to Ocracoak. We have been along the NC OBX to Ocracoak and south to Charlston before but north of this area is new.

My wife is into lighthouses and I would like to do some surf fishing. We would like to stay close to the ocean.

We are self sufficient, we don't need power, water and need a sewer dump every 6+ days.


We would appreciate and local knowledge on lighthouses and how to fish. Good tackle shops and anything else we need to know.

I have looked into driving on the beach, our truck is beach capable but frankly I don't want to pay $$$ here and $$$, we will probably pay the $$$ at Ocracoak unless someone gives us some good advice.

Thanks in advance.

Rick

[Oldtymeflyr]

Thanks again for the info, its been very helpful.

Last night my wife and I went over the material and have decided to start out the east coast portion of the trip at First Landing State Park and work our way south staying a few days here and there, working our way to Cape Lookout.

Rick

[CptnBG]

Missed this thread earlier...I was on the Outer Banks.

Since there is already a lot of info on NC Outer Banks and you seem somewhat familiar with it, I won't comment on it unless you have specific questions.

Silversand's suggestion of First Landing State Park is an excellent choice. No beach driving there but you are oceanfront or close in the campground.



Your wife likes lighthouses, there is one very close by, Cape Henry. Be aware it is on an active military base and you have to go through a thorough checkpoint, no concealed carry weapons, no alcohol on board, etc. You can climb the old lighthouse, all the way into the lightroom at the top. Also worth the short drive is the Virginia Marine Science Museum.

New lighthouse,


Old lighthouse,

[longtom1951]

Nobody has mentioned camping at Chincoteague, Va., and driving out to Assateague Wildlife Refuge. You can enter the Refuge around 6:00 Am but have to leave by about 10:00 PM. We have always stayed at Maddox Campground, in Chincoteague and you can see the lighthouse from there which is just across the bay.

[silversand]

I remember some stuff they had in there, like an enigma machine they found on a German sub, etc.

This is the Kriegsmarine encoding machine (immersed in a salt-water tank) off of U-85 (I took the photo at the OBX museum):



We always try and get back to the US Weather Bureau Station on Hatteras Island (was managed early on by the Army Signals Services); this is the station that got the original distress call from the Titanic just before she sunk:



Skip:

Thanks, but you are the 1st and last authority on beach driving and everything fishing related on "The Coast", IMO, my friend!

Heavy Hauler:

We were on the OBX just last October; then up to Assateague; then to Cape Henlopen. A bit rainy some of the time...but hey, we would never pass up the opportunity when in the area :B

[towpro]

I forgot, right at the ferry parking lot to cross over to ocracoke is a museum based on the outer banks and all the ship wrecks.
I remember some stuff they had in there, like an enigma machine they found on a German sub, etc.

[Gjac]

If you start in OC just south of Fenwick light house there is a Lighthouse/mariners museum that your wife might enjoy. I shows the history of OC and ship rescues. You can get free passes at the Chamber of Commerce just up the road. The museum is in the farthest south parking lot. You can fish off the breakwater right by the parking lot for blackfish or striped bass. From there I would go to Assateague GC. Depending on the time of year and what is running you can fish from the shore for blues or strippers. You can also get clams in the bay. You want to camp there with an on shore wind to eliminate the mosquitoes. Otherwise have repellent with Deet in it.

[Hvyhauler]

We were camping at the Outer Banks last week,spent 3 days in Frisco & 3 days in Hatteras. A fishing license is now required for surf fishing,a non resident 10 day license was $12.00 & available at most tackle shops.

We have been going to the OBX to fish for years... however this is the first time since all the changes took place (beach driving restrictions /permit & fishing license) $50.00 for a seven day beach driving permit at the NPS offices,too expensive for me.

We walked on the beach at the Frisco pier location to fish (the pier is closed due to damage) maybe a 100 feet from the ocean & you can see your truck in the parking area.

Bodie Island lighthouse & Cape Hatteras lighthouse are both open for climbing, We climbed Cape Hatteras lighthouse & took some great pictures and enjoyed the view.

Enjoy your stay and catch some fish.

[skipbee]

Silver,
Your welcome! You will see pretty much all of my stuff in TCM, I look forward to your comments and guidance.

We've been grounded so far this year, but hope to escape soon!

Love to all,

skip

[silversand]

Skip:

Thanks for your article link! Had not previously known about it.

Cheers,
S-

[skipbee]

I believe that a trip along the Mid-Atlantic Coast should include a stay at one of the two camping facilities on the North end of Assateague Island, Maryland.

I wrote an article in www.truckcampermagazine.com in the search window put in
"skip bosley" hit enter and the piece on Assateague will come up.

A google search will also bring up lots of stuff on Assateague National Seashore etc. It's a must see! If you might want to drive on the beach you will need to have a shovel, a jack, an at least 18" square 3/4" wood pad and an adequate tow line. There are several options a daypass, overnight etc.

Love to all,

skip

[Oldtymeflyr]

Everyone, thank you for the info. Looks like some good stuff.

Rick

[silversand]

First landing State Park (Norfolk/Virginia Beach nexus), right on the coast, is a fantastic wild shoreline, with huge private campsites:



...other side of the dunes from our camp:



....anyhow, you get the picture.

[silversand]

If you are starting from the North (ie. Delaware) and traveling south down the coast visiting lighthouses, I would suggest staying at Cape Henlopen State Park. Only minutes from the camping area, you are at Fort Miles (a historical WWII military base), which has heavy gun emplacement; several submarine watch viewing towers (I call them: un-lighthouses); and the old base itself:



The un-lighthouses (sub watch towers):



and, heavy gun emplacements:



...have a fun and educational trip!

Silver-

[silversand]

....and, Cape Henlopen, Delaware to Assateague: