The Outer Banks on a budget

Lots of people didn't take a vacation this year for the obvious reason: that business is off and money is tight within many family budgets. People are working longer hours these days just to stay even and are sometimes working two and three jobs. But with all the pressure and long hours, a little down time is needed more than ever.

I have found that it is possible to take a fall vacation to the Outer Banks—when the fishing is the best of the year—without shattering the family piggy bank. In fact, my wife, Nancy, and I just returned from a Nags Head getaway. We didn't spend a lot of money, we caught fish and crabs, we ate like royalty and had a wonderful time.

Here are a few tips for an affordable beach vacation.

For starters, by waiting until fall, the rates for rental properties are at the lowest of the year. And many cottage owners will gladly accept partial-week reservations. You don't have to go for a week. A four-day break is both relaxing and affordable. My suggestion is to get a cottage, not a hotel, and share the cost with 1 or 2 other couples. We rented a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath cottage on the sound side with a boat dock on an inlet for $115 a night. And we shared that cost with my daughter's family. That's much less than two hotel rooms and we had the added benefit of a fully equipped kitchen so we didn't have to eat out every meal. Plus, we caught fish and crabs right from our dock. We ended up steaming a couple dozen crabs to go with a fish fry that included puppy drum, bluefish and flounder.

If you prefer oceanside and surf fishing, scour the Internet for semi-ocean front, one house back from ocean. Again, the rates are much less and the views of the ocean can still be breathtaking. Surf fishing is starting to pick up with cooler water temperatures and the beginning of fish migra-tions. Walk a couple hundred feet and you're ready for action.

Here's another tip: You don't need a 12-foot rod with 50-pound test for surf fishing. A 6 or 6 1/2 foot heavy action rod with 10-pound test works like a charm.

As for fishing, you don't have spend a lot to be successful, but if you want a guide, look for an inshore or sound side trip. The benefits are huge. First, the cost. An all-day jaunt to the Gulf Stream can run $1,500 or more, plus tip, and it takes a full day. If you are only at the beach for a few days, that's valuable time spent riding across choppy waves for two hours or more each way. I prefer half-trips in and around Oregon Inlet and the Roanoke Sound. A half-day trip runs about $350 with a charter captain like Reese Stecher with Beach Bum Guide Service. For reservations or up-to-date fishing conditions, go to http://www.beachbumfishing.com. Here is what you can expect to catch at Oregon Inlet: stripers to 30 pounds or more, black drum to 75 pounds, red drum to 50 pounds, as well as flounder, bluefish, croakers, spot, speckled trout, gray trout and maybe a late-departing cobia.

If you go crabbing, go to Food Lion and buy a pack of fresh chicken wings. The bait shops will put it to you if you buy their crab bait, and it's usually frozen stiff. Put the wings in the fridge and use what you need for that day. While you're at the grocery store, buy a pound or two of fresh Carolina shrimp, which will catch most any fish that swims. Take out what you need when you go to a pier, the surf or a dock, and save the rest for later. Fresh shrimp are usually cheaper than the frozen variety and stay on the hook better. If you have a place to crab, bring a gunnysack and put the crabs inside. They'll live for several days when submerged, and until you can accumulate enough for a steamer pot. A good place to fish that costs absolutely nothing is from the side of the bridge on the causeway to Manteo. Anglers were catching black drum, bottom fish, specks, stripers and some blues when I was there.

If you go out to eat, make the most of it. Try Kelly's, BasNight's Lone Cedar Restau-rant or Owen's Seafood Restaurant. All are outstanding seafood eateries, and I noticed that all are having daily specials these days—a further savings.

To see a list of beach property rentals, try http://www.coverealty.com, http://www.sunrealtync.com or http://www.resortrental.com. One of those established and reputable real estate companies will likely have just what you are looking for.

So take a break, you've earned it. It won't cost that much and you can have a blast on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.