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Drew Set Net Creek Blind at Currituck NWR, info appreciated

7K views 40 replies 15 participants last post by  NCfowl 
#1 ·
Drew Currituck NWR, Set Net Creek Blind for Dec 28th. This will be my first time hunting Currituck NWR, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I know Currituck is heavily dependent on wind, North wind pushes water out South wind pushes water in, etc. Basically I am wondering what ducks I can expect to see out there during late December. Also any tips from guys/gals that have been there before would be awesome, feel free to include pictures, do's and don'ts, any problems you encountered. Also we are planning on using Kayaks and Canoes to get out there because apparently it is a large shallow flat, so I am wondering how far of a paddle/boat ride it is from the Brumley Road boat ramp. Also looking for a public campground near by or a relatively inexpensive hotel/motel for Friday night. We are planning on scouting Friday but any information before we get out there would be awesome. Will repost on this thread after the hunt. Also I can't seem to find the address for where we need to check in the morning of the hunt. Thanks ladies and gents and happy hunting! PM me if you need information regarding hunting around the triangle/charlotte/roanoke rapids lake area in exhange for useful information regarding Currituck Banks and Bogue Sound area.
 
#2 ·
North Landing beach resort in Virginia has cabins to rent. Its a camp ground. The ducks are what you would see any where else. Mallards black ducks pintails widgeon gadwall teal swan. Basic puddle ducks sometime divers. What kind of boat do you use? Its real easy to get to 5 minute boat ride from landing. The kayak and canoe wouldnt be smart its a good spot of open water there.
 
#3 ·
Unfortunately we only have kayaks and canoes to work with as of right now, unless I can borrow a buddies boat, I use a modified v, triton vt 17 bass boat, which I use for bass fishing and duck hunting (cover it with camo netting) in fresh water. But I thought the bay was super shallow, could you not paddle it? Or is it too sketchy? Do you think a guide or a local would be willing to ferry us to the blind and return us for a little chunk of change? You seem to know a lot more about it than I do!
 
#5 ·
Most guides are gonna wanna take you all day.How many people you have in your party? I hunt the area in a polar kraft 18ft with a 115 on the back, unless the water is out we hunt polar kraft with a mud motor. Your boat isnt that a bass boat? What size motor and you say you hunt out of it? Its fiberglass right, how much water does it draw?
 
#7 ·
We were out there hunting and looking for the body. Sad day for sure. Dont use a kayak or canoe.

OUTER BANKS - The Coast Guard continues a search Monday for a 23-year-old Rick Balance of Coinjock Bay who was reported overdue while on a canoe trip in Coinjock Bay.

Family members contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City about 7 p.m. Sunday and reported Mr. Balance was overdue since 4 p.m.

The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast on Sunday and launched crews aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City.

Also searching are members from the Currituck Police Department, good Samaritans, and family members and friends of Mr. Balance.

Search and rescue coordinators from Coast Guard Sector North Carolina are coordinating the search.
 
#8 ·
Have hunted Set Net before and have a permit for this season also. The water there can be VERY SHALLOW, depending on the wind like you said. The open water from the landing to the blind can be bad if the wind gets up. You will have to check in at the store before going to the blind or they can give it to someone else. There is a campground near there that rents rooms I have been told. Good blind IMO, good luck.

Don
 
#10 ·
mwp1023 said:
Just asking, but why on earth do you apply for a blind when you don't have the boat to get to it?
That's what I was thinking :huh:
The last permit hunt I went on had over 1/2 of the people as no shows. I would be willing to bet it was because most of the people didn't have a boat to access the area. Next year it needs to be suggested to the NCWRC that in order to apply for certain permits that are boat access only, the applicant needs to provide proof that they have boat transportation to get them there. In today's world with all the newbies, all they do is put in for as many permit hunts as possible and then worry about what that have if they get drawn for it. :fingerhead:
 
#11 ·
Thanks everyone for the information. I put in for the blind because when I put in my buddy who does have a boat was supposed to come but now can't due to a family issue. I am no newbie and I have a bass boat that I use in fresh water but will not bring in salt as it would be more expensive for the work I would need to do after with salt issues than to hire a guide. So most likely I will be hiring a guide but thanks everyone for the input, I have paddled all over the outer banks hunting and fly fishing for red drum and never had any issues but it sounds like if the wind is blowing I will have no choice but to sit it out. Is Currituck any more dangerous than say Bogue Inlet, becuse I have paddled and hunted all over there in my kayak!
 
#12 ·
Don thanks a lot that was really helpful! Well I guess the next obvious question is does anyone know a good guide?! We have 3 in our party but according to NCW regs we are allowed to bring licensed guides into the blind without a gun for a 4th person...feel free to correct me if I am wrong. Bottom line I would like to hunt set net blind with or without a guide...also anyone know of locals willing to ferry us to and from the blind for a Benjamin?
 
#14 ·
The body of water from the landing to the blind can vary. Anywhere from 3 to 15 ft deep on a normal tide, cause of the channel that runs thru the middle of the bay. The reason for not using the canoe is it can get very rough. We have had to rescue a man and his son who were in a 12ft aluminum boat. Just looking out for your safety.
 
#17 ·
" Im no newbie, i been hunting 3 seasons and am basically pro. I drew this permit and dont know anything about. How many ducks will i shoot. Can I wade accross currituck sound in January to the blind? trying to tell if its worth my time? I will get mad if you make fun of me for asking this.

can i get a dollar for every post like this
 
#18 ·
Technician if you took the time to read the posts you would see that I did do research regarding Currituck (i.e. I knew it was wind dependent, shallow, etc) but apparently you can't read so let me spell it out again for you. The gentleman in our group that did have a boat withdrew after we had already put in for a family obligation, thus my only alternative after he withdrew was kayaks/canoes or hiring a guide because I would still like to hunt the blind I drew. Maybe if you spent more time trying to be helpful and less time being a condescending dick head, the general public wouldn't view hunters as cocky gun toting misogynistic d bags. Green is an ugly color my pissed off friend, unless it is on the top portion of a drake mallard on December 28th....see, see what I did there.
 
#19 ·
CBR I am gonna contact your friend Cliff, thanks again everyone for your help. Sounds like I won't be kayaking out there so I will have to borrow a boat or hire a guide. Will let you know ladies and gents know how we do. For those that weren't helpful maybe you should take a second and ask why you are so upset about a guy that doesn't hunt the coast often asking for information. I have been fortunate to hunt all over this great state and all over the country. This forum is full of very helpful people, and many people that are just plain *********. There is no reason to be like that, ultimately the best thing for our sport is to get as many people as possible involved. Say what you want about arm chair duck commanders, the more interest and dollars in hunting and conservation the better. I was not asking for your honey hole or anything like that, just for information regarding a permit that I have read about and wanted to hunt and was lucky enough to draw. Jealousy is an ugly thing, so next time you want information about hunting a new area I hope you get some helpful information instead of name calling and childish insults. Once again to everyone that genuinly wanted to help thank you very much, your information def helped me and my friends avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
 
#20 ·
http://www.outerbanks.com/currituck-sound.html They offer Kayak tours of currituck sound so if wind isnt bad it seems like its perfectly safe especially if we launch from Carova Ramp. Am I delusional or what?! Keep getting conflicting information. So if winds bad hell no, if slack wind we will be fine?
 
#21 ·
A dunk in the water in August probably wouldn't be a problem if you can swim and a bull shark doesn't eat you. A dunk in the cold water in December or January could turn very ugly very quick and definitely ain't worth the risk.

If is was me, I would be getting straight with your buddy who backed out to make sure you had a set of keys and the boat was full of gas for your hunt.
 
#22 ·
FowlPlay27403 said:
http://www.outerbanks.com/currituck-sound.html They offer Kayak tours of currituck sound so if wind isnt bad it seems like its perfectly safe especially if we launch from Carova Ramp. Am I delusional or what?! Keep getting conflicting information. So if winds bad hell no, if slack wind we will be fine?
Good plan. Leave the ramp about 2:00 am so you got time to kayak on across the sound and walk a few miles to the store fo check in at 5:00. You should be able to find your blind by 9:00 or so.
Don't let these guys bother you blowin bout their 20ft boats-men have crossed oceans in their kayaks.
 
#23 ·
FowlPlay27403 said:
http://www.outerbanks.com/currituck-sound.html They offer Kayak tours of currituck sound so if wind isnt bad it seems like its perfectly safe especially if we launch from Carova Ramp. Am I delusional or what?! Keep getting conflicting information. So if winds bad hell no, if slack wind we will be fine?
You have this under control. Not sure why you even needed to ask the question on the board.....

Body of Currituck man missing since Dec. 23 is found
By Sam Walker on January 13, 2013

The body of a Currituck County man missing for three weeks was recovered Sunday.
Ricky Ballance, 28, was last seen Dec. 23, and was reportedly paddling a canoe to a duck blind in Coinjock Bay when he disappeared.

The canoe and several of Ballance's personal items were recovered near the Bells Island Road bridge the evening he was first reported missing.

Sheriff Susan Johnson said the body was found around 12:30 p.m. by a relative, but the exact location was not released.

Foul play is not suspected in the disappearance, but an autopsy by the medical examiner in Greenville will be conducted to determine an exact cause of death.

Currituck deputies, members of other law enforcement agency search and rescue teams and volunteers searched by air, boat, and foot each day weather allowed along the waterway between mainland Currituck and Bells Island.


I mean come on, they do kayak tours in Currituck. Has to be safe right?

I think Darwin may have been on to something.

Since your good at finding information out on the internet I also suggest https://www.metlife.com/individual/insurance/life-insurance/index.html
 
#24 ·
Point taken! Alright fellas I get the hint, and I certainly don't want to put others at risk in case we got into trouble and had to call the coast guard. So no more questions/comments about paddling from me. I have gotten the name of one guide from cbr in an earlier post, I guess the next question is has anyone else gone on guided hunts in the area assuming we do not go to Set Net! Phone numbers, names, pictures, number of birds killed, time of year, and competency of the guide are my next questions. This forum has turned out to be an invaluable tool as me and my buddies may have taken a stupid risk so thank you really for being honest. Maybe I can just kite board over to the blind with a shotgun strapped to my back and deecs in tow! What do you guys think?! Hahaha no but seriously thanks everyone for their input, it def helps narrow down our decision and who knows if we don't use the permit maybe one of you guys will luck out and get the blind that day.
 
#26 ·
Not to hijack this post but a buddy and I drew for the Southeast Island blind at Currituck for the end of December and plan on scouting it prior to driving up on Friday. We were looking at the satilitie of the area, knowing that we would need a boat where trying to locate the boat landing. The only thing we could find in the area looked like a private ramp. The boat ramp mentioned earlier in the post where is it located and where is the store for registration. Couldn't find any info on the NCWRC web site. We are also taking my buddy's 14' double wide alumicraft with a 4 stroke 20 hp yamaha to make the trip into the water. Knowing about the winds and how rough the water can get in the sound we still thought it would be doable. But, after reading the posts I am wondering if this is going to be enough boat? I have a 16' single wide and 1/2 fiberglass trihull with a 2 stroke 50 hp but she is dry docked right now due to damage but if I have too I'll get it fixed. Anyway, any help is greatly appreciated...
 
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