Watersports in New Bern

Boats and boat people are immediately drawn to coastal Carolina. We understand the addiction. We consider that "messing about on boats" is a necessity of life.

The Neuse River is a sailing and power boat nirvana. It has miles of sandy beaches, clearly marked channels, easy access via the InterCoastal Waterway and Pamlico Sound. Much of the shoreline forms a boundary of the vast Croatan Forest and there are public recreation areas with swimming and picnic facilities near the Minnesott Ferry terminal and at Flanners Beach south of New Bern.  Brice's Creek, a tributary of the Trent River, winds deep into the forest offering excellent fishing and wildlife observation. the Trent is a deep river with marked channels and is navigable all the way to Pollocksville.

A clearly marked channel up the Neuse from the ICW will bring you into historic New Bern.  The natural channel runs between 8' and 12' with little noticeable tidal effect. A strong easterly wind will raise the level, while a sustained westerly breeze (25 knots) can lower this level by as much as two feet. Also note the sapling net stakes dotting the river, strung with nets in the early spring and late fall. The Neuse is a very wide river, inviting day or night sailing in addition to motor cruising and water skiing.

Nearby Oriental N.C. is justly proud of its famous sailing school that draws sailors from all up and down the coast. Oriental also boasts several top notch eating establishments. Oriental is a tiny fishing village that was discovered by the sailing crowd a decade or so ago, and has a number of sailing retirees and local sailing fans making their home port there.

The local Coast Guard Auxiliary offers regular courses in basic or advanced coastal navigation, covered are the Nautical Chart and Tools, dead reckoning, piloting, current sailing, currents, RDF, radar, Loran, and tides. Call 1 800 336-BOAT.

Fishing 'round Coastal  Carolina When you live in coastal Carolina, you "dig" fishing. Newcomers are puzzled at first, at the pick-up trucks with swivel chairs mounted over the beds. (think about it.... makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Back your truck up to a stream or lake pull out the bait box and sit back and reel 'em in!) The elaborate (some are chrome plated) racks on the front of the truck might stump the inner city dweller, but you knew that these high tech racks are fishing pole holders, didn't you? They safely hold a number of different poles for whatever is biting. Fishing is serious business. Whether you fish the rivers creeks or ocean, you'll rarely go home with an empty creel.

Fishing is so ingrained in the coastal Carolina, that when the fish are running, you probably won't find a handyman or carpenter---or lawyer who doesn't take off early and go load up the bass boat and cooler.

The youngsters start early. In-town communities with fishing lakes and "throw-back" policies always have boys and increasingly- girls with their rods and worms heading for the water.

Check the local bait stores for info, they will tell you what is running, what they're biting, and the owner might just close up the store and go with you if business is slow.

Ocean fishing tournaments are well-publicized. Morehead City (35 miles from New Bern) is the closest spot that the Gulf Stream comes to the east coast of the US. It's a river of fish. Many boat rentals for singles or crowds are available. Boat rentals in New Bern are available as well if you want to cruise...or pull up some dinner.

Check this link for more specific Coastal Fishing Info and Reports.