With a long coastline and easy access to both green and blue water fishing, it should come as no surprise that Cape Hatteras is a major destination for beach, pier and deep-sea anglers. Whether it be on Hatteras Island itself or in the general Cape Hatteras area, there are plenty of good bait and tackle shops that will offer you gear, bait, advice and maybe a free cup of coffee and a tall tale to go with it.
The Roost Bait and Tackle
Located on Hatteras Island itself, this bait shop services the southern reaches of the Hatteras Seashore. The store is something of a successor to the Pelican's Roost, a Hatteras bait and tackle institution that was destroyed in 2003's Hurricane Isabel. The proprietors of that shop, Steve and Dave Hissey, now operate the Roost. One or the other Hissey is always present at the shop, offering personal and expert advice.
The Roost Bait and Tackle
Teach's Lair Marina
P.O. Box 520
Hatteras, NC 27943
(888) 868-2460
Avon Pier
Avon Pier is conveniently located on the next island over from Hatteras, within walking distance and due north of the island. It comes with its own dedicated bait and tackle shop, making it convenient and a natural for anyone who likes pier fishing. For novices, the bait and tackle staff advertise that they are more than happy to help first-time pier anglers get started.
Avon Pier
Kinnakeet, NC 27915
(252) 995-5480
avonpier.com/
Frank and Fran
Also situated on Avon (and thus still in the Cape Hatteras area), Frank and Fran's is a small, friendly, family-owned and operated bait and tackle shop. It's a great place for a veteran angler to stop by for a free cup of coffee and gather all the information he may ever need about fishing around Cape Hatteras. They keep long hours, as well. From March to December, the shop is open every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Frank and Fran
P.O. Box 448
Avon, NC 27915
(252) 995-4171
Hatteras Jack
Hatteras Jack bait shop is owned and operated by Ryan White, a Master Class custom rod and reel maker. The shop is conveniently located in the middle of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. In addition to a wide range of bait and tackle, the shop also offers reel cleaning and repair, as well as guide services and beach casting lessons.
Hatteras Jack
23902 Highway 12
Rodanthe, NC 27968
(252) 987-2428
hatterasjack.com
About The Author
Richard Thomas has been writing since earning his M.A. in international affairs in 1997, frequently writes about hiking and scuba diving for Trails.com, and also works as the Budget Travel topic manager for eHow and the senior travel editor for Associated Content. His 2009 work on Portuguese hiking and artisanal cheeses has also appeared in print.
