Our family is heading down to Carova Beach this summer. I have an 18ft center console aluminum river jet boat. Our house is about 1/2 mile away from the Carova boat launch. I would love to take it down so we can go crabbing and fishing in the bay. I guess my question is will this be worth the hassle? I have a Nissan Armada and was wondering will towing this in the sand be a problem? Is the fishing and crabbing in the bay (June 20th arrival) any good? Any information given will be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

I'm surprised nobody has responded yet. I'm not totally familiar with that area. However I can tell you the Sound (you used Bay) is very shallow and fishing will be mostly Freshwater Fish. I believe might need a NC Freshwater license. I'm not sure the Coastal License is good up there in the Sound. Unfortunately the State Website Maps are not accessible at the moment. If you do any Surf Fishing you will need the Coastal Recreational License also. Check that out the State web site.

Thanks Pickle. We have some time until we leave. Hopefully others will come along.

There is soft sand at the end of 12 at the beach access. My concern would be the trailer if it has narrow trailer tires.

Thanks. The tires are 205/75r14. Which puts them at the size of a car tire.

I expect you will have no problems with an Armada. I have towed a Hobie 16 and a 5x10 enclosed trailer using vehicle with less power (Jeep JKUR and Toyota Sequoia). Air down the trailer tires as you would the truck tires (~20psi) to ease driveline strain on the ramps and during the approximate 2 mile stretch where you must stay off the waterline (regulation to allow parking at the waterline). Try to pick a ramp with a gradual slope to cross over to Sandfiddler Rd; it convenient to get off the beach and use Sandfiddler Rd when towing a load. There is County air at the Park in Corolla about 1.5 miles back down the paved road. Take it easy, air down, know your Tide schedule and you will have no problem.

Thanks much!

As an alternative you could launch your boat from one of the ramps on the mainland and then haul the empty trailer to the house in Carova if you want to pull the boat out each night. Or you could leave the trailer on the mainland at a self storage lot and reverse the process on the way home.

Thanks. That is also an option we have been kicking around.

Just registered on this site so sorry for the late reply. One thing I would offer is make sure you have the right fishing license. I think you need a fresh water fishing license to fish the Currituck Sound. i'm told anything north of the Wright Memorial is considered fresh water. I launch my kayak from the Carova Ramp all the time and have never been checked in the sound or on the beach since they made the license requirement.

In terms of hauling your boat down... I'd be concerned with clearance. Sometimes the beach is in pretty bad shape. Especially if its been dry and hot. If a strong N.E. wind is present, it will keep you in the deep sand next to the dunes and it would be difficult to trailer anything in or out. Make sure you check the weather prior to your departure. As long as your trailer has 9 inches of clearance or more, I think you'll be fine. Never seen a trailer stuck but there's a first time for everything.

I you have success, post here. I'm curious to find out if its worth it. Make sure to visit the Fire House.

Hi PAfish!

I have done this, so I have some points to share, but the answer you are looking for is.... YES. Yes, you can tow a reasonable boat down with you..... but, within certain parameters.

Your Armada will do a fine job!
The #1Tip that will make or break you.... Trailer tires
1- They really need to match the same track as your towing vehicle.
Fix - You can purchase trailer Load Rated spacers to equal the towing track.
2- Tire width and ability to AirDown (Trailer tires are not made like passenger tires. I know you have 14" tires. Check the sidewalls ablility to AirDown and perform. There are specific off road trailer tires meant fo this.
Fix - Trailer tires are cheap. Don't Skimp out. And yes, air down when you get off N Beach Access Rd.

Things to check:
Make sure your boat and trailer are:
1) Road worthy & Securely connected.
2) The Boat is strapped tightly to the trailer with appropriate ratchet straps. Motor locked & raised.
3) The lighter the trailer the better the experience on the boat and your passengers
4) Level your Hitch Point and Trailer.
5) Anything remotely lose will bounce out.

Boat trailers will drag sand. Choose a driving line and that allows the best leveled path. Take your time.

Carova Beach Park & Boat Ramp is at, 2100 Ocean Pearl Rd, Corolla, NC 27927
You can't miss it. Someone crafted a huge beautiful sign.
It is an extremely easy ramp, but closes promptly at Sundown.

Good luck, enjoy!

Thanks guys! Since this is our first time down I think we are going to scrap the boat but bring kayaks instead. The kayaks will be on a (6x10 w/ dual axle) trailer. I appreciate all the towing advice.
Onto my next question......How is the sound side bass fishing or fishing in general? Thanks again.

Never caught anything in the sound. I'm told by a few locals that you can get a few crabs back there. Tried it once and had no luck but the tide and wind were against me so I didn't venture too far out and was just out beyond the canals. . Another Vacationer told me he got quite a few crabs back there one year when we were socked in my a nor' easter. You could also ferry the kayaks down to Corolla Light. I know they catch crabs there, mostly small ones but I've heard there are some bigger ones out in deeper water. Sometimes its the thrill of the chase.

Never caught anything in the sound. I'm told by a few locals that you can get a few crabs back there. Tried it once and had no luck but the tide and wind were against me so I didn't venture too far out and was just out beyond the canals. . Another Vacationer told me he got quite a few crabs back there one year when we were socked in my a nor' easter. You could also ferry the kayaks down to Corolla Light. I know they catch crabs there, mostly small ones but I've heard there are some bigger ones out in deeper water. Sometimes its the thrill of the chase.

We have a house on the sound in corolla with a pier - have caught a few good keeper crabs already this year but they are a little light on the meat right now. Catfish, yellow perch, white perch and two eels so far since the water started warming up. The last few years we caught some redfish in May. Carova
Boat ramp is probably 12 or 13 miles further up the sound from us so it may be different.

Thanks! So the crabbing seems hit or miss (which always seems to be my problem wherever I go). We should have fun trying to figure out the bass/freshwater fishing in the sound. Thanks again!!