About Whalebone Tackle:

At A Glance

• Email: Click Here
• Address: Nags Head - Manteo Causeway at Whalebone Junction Nags Head 27959 Click for map
• Phone: 252-441-7413
• Latitude: 35.90064436650423
• Longitude: -75.61061382293701
• Payment:
  
• Services: Custom Rods built on site by Jerry Harris since 1984.
• Merchandise: We like to offer you the brands you want! Shimano, Daiwa, Abu Garcia, Penn, Zebco,Tica, Rapala, Berkley Gulp and much MORE!!!

Whalebone Tackle was opened in 1977 by Elizabeth City native Bill McCaskill and Peggy Byrd.  Bill graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972. Bill and his family spent their summers in their cottage in Kitty Hawk where he loved to fish off of the Kitty Hawk pier. After College, Bill became a mate with some of the great captains of the Outer Banks.  He worked with Sam Stokes on the Fightin’ Lady, Buddy Cannady on the Melodee, Sonny Briggs on the Sea Fever and the Bishop 2, Ronnie Jones on the Jersey Devil.After five years of mating and becoming a licensed captain. Bill was ready to stop charter fishing.  With fishing being such a big part of his life and wanting to stay on the Outer Banks, opening a tackle shop was the most logical thing to do.  Bill will tell you ” I didn’t know anything else” but fishing.The tackle shop has always been his home away from home. He rarley misses a day. He and his wife Kit, usually take a couple of weeks off in Febuary and go somewhere warm or take a cruise.  Otherwise you can find him at Whalebone Tackle everyday!

When Jerry Harris first started working here in 1984 he had never built a rod, but Bill taught him the basics and Jerry just took off - he’s a quiet, unassuming type of guy but his rods are top of the line. He can create just about any kind of design imaginable. Jerry is passionate about his craft, each rod is built with the utmost precision and detail.  Once you have one you will only fish a Jerry Harris rod.
Peggy , with Bill opened the shop and was there everyday till 1987.  Peggy and a girlfriend started a fishing team in 1978 - The Queen Mackerals. They have come in first place overall once (Ocracoke).  First Place women’s 3 times (Cape Hatteras Anglers Club), First Place women’s (Hatteras Village civic Association).  A few second place and third place woman’s also. An avid fishermen, Peggy is the perfect advisor of surf fishing and inshore fishing around the Outer Banks.
In 2008 Peggy rejoined the Whalebone Tackle team.