Bogue Sound Fishing
Carteret County, coastal fishing waters.
Pick for striped bassPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: DiscoA340, CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting oriented on Bogue Sound
Bogue Sound is a sound in Carteret County. NCDMF and NCWRC class the water at its center as coastal fishing waters. Striped bass fall under the Central Southern Management Area at this point.
Anglers can pick from 4 fishing piers, 12 coastal launches and 91 DCM access sites close to it.
For the striped bass herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Ramps, piers and reefs by Bogue Sound
NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Bogue Sound without a boat
Pier access by Bogue Sound
- Bogue Inlet Fishing Pierocean fishing pier, 4 miles
- Cedar Point Public Boat Rampsound/river access pier, 8 miles
- Bicentenntial Parksound/river access pier, 9 miles
- Pelican Drive Docksound/river access pier, 10 miles
Public shore access by Bogue Sound
- Park Street, Emerald Isleestuarine
- "The Dogleg" 4WD Access (EI-57), Emerald Isleocean
- Ocean Dr, Emerald Isleocean
- Eastern Regional Access – Site of the Old EI Pier (EI-58), Emerald Isle245 parking, restrooms, ocean
- Connie Street, Emerald Isleocean
- EI-60, Emerald Isleocean
- EI-56, Emerald Isleocean
- EI-61, Emerald Isleocean
- EI-55, Emerald Isleocean
- EI-62, Emerald Isleocean
- EI-54, Emerald Isleocean
- EI-63, Emerald Isleocean
Within 8 miles, 91 DCM access sites reach the water.
NCDMF pier list and NC DCM Beach and Waterfront Access sites.
Nearest put-ins to Bogue Sound
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Emerald Isle4 lanes, 107 trailer spaces, restrooms, 4 docks, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 4 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 4 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 4 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Built reefs around Bogue Sound
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-342 Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef | 49 | Concrete (10), Metal (1), Tires (1) | 1983 to 2007 | 7 miles |
| AR-340 J. Paul Tyndall Reef | 58 | Concrete (21), Fiberglass (2), Reef Ball (1), Metal (1) | 1986 to 2020 | 8 miles |
| AR-381 | 8 miles | |||
| AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef | 50 | Concrete (25), Metal (2), Vessel (2) | 1986 to 2020 | 9 miles |
| AR-380 Bogue Sound Reef | 15 | Reef Ball (2) | 2018 to 2021 | 9 miles |
| AR-345 Swansboro Rotary Club Reef | 60 | Reef Ball (3), Concrete (3), Vessel (1), Metal (1) | 1986 to 2006 | 10 miles |
| AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef | 60 | Concrete (9), Vessel (7), Metal (2), Reef Ball (2), Fiberglass (1), Aircraft (1) | 1990 to 2023 | 11 miles |
| AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef | 49 | Concrete (17), Vessel (5), Unknown (4), Metal (2), Aircraft (2), Reef Ball (2), Other (1) | 1974 to 2008 | 12 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Where Bogue Sound opens to the Atlantic
- Unnamed breakwater (Brandywine Bay)breakwater, 8 miles
- Bogue Inletinlet, 8 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Swansboro)breakwater, 9 miles
- Bear Inletinlet, 13 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Morehead City)breakwater, 14 miles
USGS GNIS, NC DCM inlet hazard areas and OpenStreetMap.
Harvest rules for Bogue Sound
NCDMF rows for coastal and joint waters, striped bass by the Central Southern Management Area.
| 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 (Central Southern 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.
Captains and shops for Bogue Sound
Guides on Bogue Sound
- A1a Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Morehead City, (252) 241-0210
- BreakDay Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Atlantic Beach, (252) 732-0990
- Cape Lookout Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), emerald isle, (252) 241-0210
- Captain Stacycoastal charter (trip type not stated), Atlantic Beach, (252) 648-6155
- Crystal Coast Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Beaufort, (202) 369-1063
- Crystal Coast Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Morehead City, (252) 808-7067
- Down East Guide Servicecoastal charter (trip type not stated), Morehead City, (252) 671-3474
- Reel Faith Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Morehead City, (919) 369-6403
Where to buy bait by Bogue Sound
- The Reel Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Emerald Isle, 4 miles
- K & V Grocerycountry store with bait, Emerald Isle, 5 miles
- Sanderson Boat Works Inc.marina, Cedar Point, 7 miles
- Cedar Point Boating Access Areamarina, Carteret, 8 miles
- Dudley's Marina Incmarina, Cedar Point, 9 miles
- Nancy Lee Fishing Chartersbait and tackle shop, Swansboro, 9 miles
In reach of Bogue Sound
Towns nearest Bogue Sound
- Indian Beach4 miles
- Bogue4 miles
- Emerald Isle4 miles
- Cape Carteret6 miles
Tidal water by Bogue Sound
- Browns Sound16 miles west
- Back Sound22 miles east
- Courthouse Bay24 miles west
- Lookout Bight25 miles east
Bogue Sound county links
Four Piscifun picks
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Worth knowing about Bogue Sound
What is the exact spot of Bogue Sound?
Carteret County, in coastal fishing waters.
Which fishing license fits Bogue Sound?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
How many red drum may I keep on Bogue Sound?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
Can I keep flounder from Bogue Sound?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
What striped bass area is Bogue Sound in?
Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected
Which ramps reach Bogue Sound?
12 coastal launches, closest Unnamed slipway (Carteret County).
Which pier sits closest to Bogue Sound?
4 piers; Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier is closest.
Which captains run Bogue Sound?
18 charters and guides are based in its counties.
Which counter sells bait nearest Bogue Sound?
The nearest listing is The Reel Outdoors, 4 miles off.
Spend time on Bogue Sound
Check the striped bass area before you keep one.