The history of Roanoke Island fishing is notable in the overall legend of Outer Banks fishing. Manteo and Wanchese, the two towns on Roanoke Island, have been home to generations of families who made their living off the water through crabbing, oystering, clamming, shrimping and commercial fishing.
What kind of Roanoke Island fishing can you do? Certainly the notorious Outer Banks surf fishing isn’t the draw, and there isn’t exactly a lot of pier fishing happening on the island (unless you count the gazebo that juts out from the waterfront boardwalk, which, if you’re a serious pier fishing angler, we wouldn’t recommend). What you’ll find here is an easily accessible point of debarkation for a variety of Roanoke Island fishing charters, both inshore and offshore. The surrounding sounds and the island’s location very near Oregon Inlet make it the perfect location for fishing harbors, and there are several marinas on Roanoke Island. Prices for a private, full-day, off-shore charter, usually accommodating six people, run $1,100 to $1,500 a day, not including a tip for the mate. Half-day inshore and inlet charters start around $375 and go up depending on the length of the trip and the type of fishing.
Capt. Marty's Outer Banks Fishing Reports
Get Crabby with Roanoke Island Fishing
But not that way! Roanoke Island fishing also includes the Zen-like experience of crabbing — an activity that every visitor should try, if only to make them relax and be very, very still for a little while. We don’t refer here to the business of crabbing where you set the crab pots that dangle from the colorful buoys you see dotting the sounds. No, indeed. That form of crabbing is very hard work. What we mean is the version of crabbing that requires only string, a few good chicken necks, a scoop net and quiet patience to be rewarded with the beautiful blue-shelled, sweet-eating crustaceans. Manteo’s waterfront is rimmed with a boardwalk that provides you with an endless number of locations to try your hand at a different sort of fishing on Roanoke Island.
Check out our Outer Banks Fishing section for more information on all the fishing opportunities in the area and for information about Outer Banks Charter Fishing. And get your daily Outer Banks fishing report here.
Roanoke Island Fishing & Manteo NC Fishing
To access Croatan Sound, a North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramp is located off the western end of Bowsertown Road, past the Town of Manteo...read more
Keller Fishing Supply sells commercial fishing products and supplies, but you don't have to be a commercial fisherman to shop there. Recreational fishermen...read more
To access Croatan Sound, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission operates a boat ramp at Manns Harbor on the western side of the old Manns Harbor bridge....read more
To access Shallowbag Bay and Roanoke Sound, a free public boat launch is located at the waterfront, right beside the bridge that leads to Roanoke Island...read more
Mashoes Boat Ramp is located along East Lake and gives access to South Lake, Alligator River and Albemarle Sound. There's a single boat-launch lane that's...read more
Located in the fishing village of Wanchese, OBX Marina is at the heart of Outer Banks fishing. The ship’s store at OBX Marina offers everything you need for...read more
Located in the fishing village of Wanchese, Safe Harbor Outer Banks is at the heart of Outer Banks fishing and boating. Home of the famous National...read more
The Shallowbag Bay Marina and Ships Store is run by friendly, helpful people. The ship’s store is well stocked with beer and wine, drinks, snacks, staple...read more
