Mixing it up at OBX

Catch a mixed bag at the Outer Banks

Fishing the Outer Banks in July with Capt. Noah Lynk offers one of the most exciting saltwater experiences on the North Carolina coast.

Based out of Harkers Island, Lynk has decades of experience navigating the sounds, inlets, and offshore waters that surround the barrier islands. July is a prime month, with warm water temperatures and long daylight hours creating excellent opportunities for anglers targeting a variety of species both inshore and nearshore.

Diversity

One of the main draws of fishing with Lynk (252-342-6911) in July is the diversity of fish available. Inshore, the action heats up for speckled trout, red drum, flounder, and sheepshead. The waters around Core Sound, Back Sound, and the marshes near Cape Lookout provide ideal habitat for these species, with flooded grass flats, oyster beds, and tidal creeks full of baitfish.

Lynk often begins the morning targeting speckled trout and redfish on light tackle using soft plastics, popping corks, or live bait like mud minnows or shrimp. Early morning topwater strikes on MirrOlures are common on calm days, and July’s warm conditions often lead to aggressive feeding behavior during low-light hours.

Other than topwater lures, Lynk uses a jighead baited with live mud minnows or mullet minnows, or he puts a soft plastic lure on the jighead. He finds plenty of speckled trout and redfish in the area’s numerous small creeks. Sometimes, they are mixed in with each other. Other times it’s all trout, or all puppy drum.

Lynk often pulls the boat into very shallow water, then gets out and wades on the edges of the marsh, casting to likely spots. His knowledge of the water here becomes striking as he maneuvers the boat, sometimes intentionally bumping the bottom, just barely, before making it across a submerged sandbar and into deeper water. He knows when he has enough water to get into an area, and he knows the tides well enough to realize when it’s time to get out of certain areas when the tide is falling.

No group too large

With so many likely spots to fish, Lynk may stop in a small creek or two with no luck before finding the right one that’s stacked up with fish. Other days, he finds enough fish in each creek to keep his anglers happy.

A perfect day for Lynk is starting off with trout and redfish, then heading on to other areas and catching other species.

Sheepshead fishing around pilings, bridge structures, and rock jetties is another July highlight. These powerful, bait-stealing fish require finesse. Small hooks and fiddler crabs or shrimp are the ticket. Once hooked, these fish put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size.

For those looking to venture just offshore or along the beaches, Lynk’s knowledge of nearshore reefs and wrecks opens the door to a different type of action. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and king mackerel roam the nearshore waters in July, feeding heavily on schools of glass minnows and menhaden. Trolling small spoons or casting jigs into feeding frenzies can yield fast-paced results.

Shark fishing is also popular in these waters, and Lynk can set up clients with heavy tackle to battle blacktips, spinners, and sandbar sharks just a mile or two off the beach.

One of the things that sets Lynk apart is his ability to tailor each trip to the preferences and skill level of his anglers. Whether it’s a family looking for steady action and some fish to take home, or an experienced angler in search of a trophy redfish or a day of technical light-tackle casting, Lynk brings patience, knowledge, and a deep respect for the fishery to every trip.

July is one of his busiest months for good reason. The fish are plentiful, the weather is generally stable, and the long days make it easy to put together a productive outing.

When larger groups book a trip with Lynk, his son Tanner operates the company’s second boat. This means you don’t have to leave anyone at home, whether you’re on a company trip or a large family reunion.

Fishing the Outer Banks in July with Lynk is a full immersion in one of the East Coast’s most vibrant marine ecosystems. With his expert guidance, every cast brings the possibility of a new memory.