Back Bay Fishing
Currituck County, joint fishing waters.
Pick for striped bassPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Brent Hoard from USA, CC BY 2.0
An overview of Back Bay
Back Bay is a coastal bay reaching Currituck County. The named water covers about 35.4 square miles in Census data. Under 15A NCAC 03Q .0202 its center point lies in joint fishing waters. For striped bass, the Albemarle Sound Management Area applies.
Mapped access near it includes 1 fishing pier, 12 coastal launches and 3 DCM access sites.
For the striped bass herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Back Bay access, mapped
NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Walk-on spots near Back Bay
Piers to fish near Back Bay
- Mackey Island NWR Fishing Piersound/river access pier, 7 miles
Shoreline access around Back Bay
- Charles Kuralt Trail Overlook, Currituck County7 parking, estuarine
- Mackey Island NWR Visitor Contact Station, Currituck County7 parking, restrooms, estuarine
- Mackey Island NWR Fishing Pier, Currituck County8 parking, estuarine
There are 3 DCM beach and waterfront access points within 8 miles of Back Bay.
NCDMF pier list and NC DCM Beach and Waterfront Access sites.
Launches within a drive of Back Bay
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 7 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 7 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 7 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 7 miles
- Brumley Road1 lane, 26 trailer spaces, 1 dock, joint waters, 7 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 9 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 9 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Currituck County)boat ramp, joint waters, 9 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Back Bay rules
Coastal limits plus the Albemarle Sound Management Area striped bass rule.
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red drum | 1 a day | 18-27 in | Year-round |
| Flounder (all species) | 1 a day | 15 in minimum | Sept. 1-14, 2026 |
| Spotted seatrout | 3 a day | 14-20 in, plus 1 over 26 in | Open (reopened July 1, 2026) |
| Weakfish | 1 a day | 12 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Black drum | 10 a day | 14-25 in, plus 1 over 25 in | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Sheepshead | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Striped bass (Albemarle Sound Management Area) | none may be kept | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Bluefish | 5 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Spanish mackerel | 15 a day | 12 in minimum | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Cobia | 1 a day | 36 in minimum | May 1 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Spot | 3 a day | 14-20 in, plus 1 over 26 in | Open (reopened July 1, 2026) |
| Atlantic croaker | 50 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
| Blue crab (recreational) | 50 a day | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCDMF recreational size and bag limits and 2026 proclamations, checked October 2026. Coastal and joint limits.
Guides and tackle around Back Bay
Hire help on Back Bay
- Backwater Adventuresinshore / sound charter, Powells Point, (252) 202-3112
Just around Back Bay
Towns encircling Back Bay
- Coinjock18 miles
More sounds near Back Bay
- Knotts Island Bay8 miles south
- Currituck Bay10 miles south
- Currituck Sound19 miles south
- Albemarle Sound39 miles south
Counties that share Back Bay
Four Piscifun picks
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Before a trip to Back Bay
Which stretch of the coast holds Back Bay?
Look along Currituck County, mapped as joint fishing waters.
Will an inland license work on Back Bay?
Joint waters accept either the inland license ($32 resident) or the Coastal Recreational Fishing License ($20 resident) from age 16.
Which red drum rules apply on Back Bay?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
What are the flounder rules on Back Bay?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
Can I keep striped bass from Back Bay?
Albemarle Sound Management Area applies. Season closed; no harvest allowed
Does a ramp reach Back Bay?
Unnamed slipway (Currituck County), among 12 coastal launches.
Which piers are close to Back Bay?
Mackey Island NWR Fishing Pier is nearest of 1 pier.
Is there a head boat near Back Bay?
1 charter or guide in the bordering counties.
Who sells bait close to Back Bay?
No listed shop inside 15 miles.
Get to Back Bay this year
Know the water class and the limits first.