Above - Fishermen at Cape Point, Hatteras are surrounded by surf and a golden sunset. Below - The point at Cape Lookout attracts the faithful. There are four constants on the Outer Banks - Sand, Water, Birds and Fishermen. Cape Point at Hatteras is a mecca for surf fishermen with their trusty 4WD vehicles, bedecked with poles and coolers. Cape Lookout's relative isolation makes it more difficult for surf fishing devotees to come en masse, but still they come. Park Service approved private vehicle ferries are available to transport trucks and campers onto the Core Banks. All along the beaches of both the Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores, surf fishing is extremely popular. Each day before sunrise, there begins a steady stream of fishermen in 4WD's at beach access ramps. Each in turn makes their way onto the beach to pick a desirable spot to spend the day casting into the crashing surf. The hardier souls camp at the many Park Service camping areas and simply walk a few feet over the dunes to reach the surf for a day of meditating with the sun and waves. Pier fishing, both ocean and sound, is another popular option that brings many to places like Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Rodanthe, Avon and Frisco. Crab and Flounder are two favorites to be found in the sounds. BYOB (that's Bring Your Own Boat, of course) and join thousands who find their own paradise fishing and boating in the vast sound waters of North Carolina's coast. Surfers spend a day of fun at Cape Lookout. The lure of the Outer Banks' peaceful, uncluttered setting is an attraction for many other sports enthusiasts besides fishermen. More and more surfers are finding this coast a convenient spot to enjoy their own brand of fishing, casting about for that great wave. Surfers used to the crowded conditions of such areas as Myrtle Beach will find the Outer Banks a refreshing change. Miles of open beaches, often with not a soul in sight, offer far greater freedom to enjoy their favorite sport. The wind and water of Pamlico Sound make it an ideal place for sailboarding, or windsurfing, and parasurfing. These sports are enjoyed all along the sound. An especially popular haunt is the sound south of Avon, where the island is very narrow, immediately north of Buxton. Other popular places to "put in" are at the "day use area" just south of Salvo, about 100 yards north of mile marker 41, where there is also a Civil War monument and graveyard, and at the nature trail access and parking area on the southwest corner of Jockey's Ridge State Park. Canoeing and kayaking are enjoyed by the casual paddler and the serious enthusiast alike. Related Links - Beach Ramp access map and information   Copyright © 2003 Fred Hurteau * Copyright information and image use policy * To request digital images for publication, go to the Gallery. Visit these other web sites by Fred Hurteau