East coast Lighthouse and Fishing advice sought.

PM me, we have just started as VIPs at Cape Lookout National Seashore. Will be glad to snail mail all the info we have.

Oldtymeflyr wrote:
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.

Thanks in advance.

Rick

Delaware to Ocracoak is only around 8 hours driving.

I got no recommendations for Delaware, but as you go south when your first getting into VA you have tall pines harbor campground on the RS of 13 http://tallpinesharbor.com/. They are on the water, but not sure about fishing.

a couple miles south, on the LS of 13 is a thousand trails campground called Virgina landing. Last I heard they were taking anybody for $35.00 per night. They only have 10 sites with both sewer, electric and water, 1 section is kind of year round people, and about 300 sites with no hookups (maybe water, but power rotted out years ago), you will be alone down there. They have a dump station. Its on a bay, but never tried fishing there. http://www.thousandtrails.com/virginia/virginia-landing-rv-campground/
Than several miles south, right before you cross the Chesapeake bridge tunnel, there is a big campground on the RS that is on the bay, but never stayed there, they have some rules about min stay and just show up and they might have space. (sorry name excapes me)

than you cross the Chesapeake bridge tunnel into VA beach. there are campground there but that is too commercial for us. once you cross over into the outerbanks, you have a fed campground just before you cross the bonner bridge.

Than around 20 miles south you have camp Hatteras and KOA on the left in Waves. both around the same price, expensive, but its the price we have to pay to be that close to the beach. both of these will put you almost right on the beach (you walk maybe 100-200 yards and your wet). in this area are several tackle dealers (we always stay in KOA and I go south a mile or 2 to the fishing hole tackle store in Waves) Since these local places are in business of selling you what you need to catch fish, they hopefully will be your best source of info on what is biting and how to catch them.

than about 20 more miles south, down near the Hatteras light house you have another first come first serve for $20.00 per night campground without electric (we are going to try to see how busy this is this summer now that we got the TC instead of a 30' 5er).
(I think I am missing a couple smaller campgrounds and one fed campground. http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm )
but this Cape Point campground has been closed in the past because some bird was seen flying past so they close miles of beach and the campground to people

Than as you know, cross the ferry and you can stay at Ocracoke (which takes reservations, but is $23.00 per night with no electric).
(since this is about 10 hour drive for us, we will probably try Ocracoke where we can get reservations).

Wish I had that much time to make a trip like that :) but work is still calling.....

Oh, light houses? I hear below Bonner bridge in NC the body light house might now be open for climbing? than further you always have the Hatteras light house

You can drive on the beach at Fort Fisher on the South end of Pleasure Island. Can do it on the North end as well but there may be a charge. not sure.

Fenwick Island lighthouse is a good one to see. It's north of Ocean City, south of Rehobeth I believe. Check out the Assateague lighthouse....you have to drive to Chincoteague, VA and then drive over to Assateague. Check out the wild ponies while there and fishing is allowed north of the designated beach for swimming. Then, I think the Fort Henry lighthouse is near Norfolk.

We have visited many of the Lighthouses from Delaware, Cape Henlopen, all the way down to Ocracoke, OBX. The next 3 maps I made, showing the lighthouses of three regions: Delaware/Assateague; Norfolk, VA; and OBX:

OBX:

Norfolk, VA (vicinity of First Landing State Park ):

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

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-

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.

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

Rick