They are called by a few other names such as mole crabs, sand fleas, beach hoppers (this is my favorite) and lookie cookies. They live under the sand, in shallow water,near the shores.

You can tell where they are by the V.s they leave in the water as the waves recede.

You can find dozens to thousands (I have not found that many) You remember seeing bubbles coming out of small holes in the sand, where waves wash up, haven't you?

They are about 2 to 12 inches buried in that hole.

Below that location, you can catch them with a special metal mesh scoop, or pick them up with your hands. They don't bite, claw, or pinch.

This is a free bait, and works well on the smaller fish.

An example here is, one time my wife and I were fishing at the Oregon Inlet Bridge, and everyone was using cut bait.

This one man was using sand crabs, and had a stringer of sheapshead.

All of them were big fish.

We talked about the boiler wreck on Pea Island, on my other page (read about it), and what a great place that is, at times during the year to fish.

Each surf fishing the Outerbanks trip will be a learning experience.

I know it is hard, but after awhile, you as a surf fisher will be able to read the changes, and react to them by knowing where the fish are likely to feed, under the conditions that are present when you fish.

If you have a four wheel drive, the beach at the Oregon Inlet bridge is a great place to surf fish.

You can back up to the ocean. One fourth of July there were 4-wheel vehicles as far as you could see on the beach.

Many people "charter" fishing boats, and let someone else find their fish for them.

I think that is great, but if your budget does't call for that, then we have to find our own fish, on a surf fishing the Outerbanks fishing trip.

They are quite helpful with information on the places that the fish are biteing.

Don't forget, you need a fishing license to surf fish. And don't get caught with undersize fish, or more than your limit.

My other page has info on your licenses, if you need it.

Now I will let you know where you can catch some big fish (I know, the Ocean), if you are lucky enough to be taking a surf fishing the Outer banks trip, at these great times of the year.

The most popular surf fishing spot on the Outer Banks is Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

It is easy accessible, and off-road vehicles are allowed on the beach.

In the fall, the red drum, bluefish, and the striped bass move into the area.

You can fish out of Cape Point, and nearby beaches.

In the fall, and again in the spring, the predominate catch is huge drum (to the right)and bluefish.

If you can stand surf fishing the outerbanks on the ocean edge on a cold day, you may be rewarded with monster-size striped bass, and sometimes bluefish.

It wouldn't be the first time you, and I froze fishing would it? You have probably like me got the ice out of the eyes on your pole, many times. But if you wait until late spring to plan your surf fishing the Outerbanks vacation, you will be rewarded with fish like pompano, flounder (great eating), spot, sea mullet, snapper, bluefish, spanish mackeral, and speckled trout.(below) Be for sure to stock up on Bucktails,and Gotchas.

Some more info on surf fishing the Outer banks for the big boys.

Anywhere between Oregon Inlet, and Cape Lookout, from around mid-September through December, and again from April through June (may catch you on your vacation), you can start surf fishing the outerbanks for Red Drum.

They get to be monsters. Did you know that the worlds record was caught near Avon,"94 lbs"?

Also the next bigest fish is the big chopper Bluefish. Late spring, and in Novenber, and December, and on in to winter.

If you are going surf fishing the Outerbanks that is a great time for you to catch them. Twenty five pounders are caught every December.

Of course you may not be able to take your surf fishing the Outerbanks vacation in those months, but the shores along the inlets-Oregon, Hatteras, and Ocracoke are great surf fishing spots anytime because of all the bait fish moving through in the current.

If you go to the Oregon Inlet, the south side can be reached by parking in a paved area next to the bridge, and walking over passed the old Coast Guard station.

"When they were open, we stopped one time, and they took us on a tour of the boat". (Was great).

Walk past the coast guard station a couple hundred yards, and you come to the beach, you now have miles of beach to fish.

A friend was fishing there one time, and said he had a fish strip off all of his line, and kept going.

If you stick to these areas you will be rewarded with some of these fish.

If you go in the hot months find out at your local bait shops where they may be biting. Have fun, I hope you catch a lot of fish.

Below is a fish my wife caught,(just jokeing)I hope she doesn't see this. And also I am going to put a great link on Fishing supplies below. Visit that link and find a lot of info.

I Hope Your Fishing Is Great , And You Catch "Lots"