Core Sound Fishing
Carteret County, coastal fishing waters.
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Core Sound, sized up
In Carteret County, Core Sound forms a sound of the coast. Census water polygons carrying the name total about 57.5 square miles. The state rule map puts its center in coastal fishing waters. The Central Southern Management Area sets striped bass seasons here.
State and OSM layers show 12 coastal launches and 1 DCM access site nearby.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Bank and pier access on Core Sound
DCM access sites near Core Sound
- Marshallberg, Marshallberg10 parking, estuarine
DCM lists 1 public access points within 8 miles, without saying which allow fishing.
NCDMF pier list and NC DCM Beach and Waterfront Access sites.
Other ramps by Core Sound
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Oyster Creek2 lanes, 13 trailer spaces, 3 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, 4 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 5 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 6 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Structure off Core Sound
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-275 Billy Smith Reef | 55 | Concrete (3), Vessel (2), Reef Ball (2) | 1991 to 2007 | 8 miles |
| AR-285 George Summerlin Reef | 65 | Concrete (3), Vessel (1), Metal (1), Reef Ball (1) | 1989 to 2007 | 16 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 | 20 miles |
| AR-396 Oriental | 15 | Reef Ball (4), Natural Material (3), Tires (3), Concrete (2) | 1973 to 2013 | 21 miles |
| AR-380 Bogue Sound Reef | 15 | Reef Ball (2) | 2018 to 2021 | 22 miles |
| AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef | 50 | Concrete (25), Metal (2), Vessel (2) | 1986 to 2020 | 24 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Ocean inlets near Core Sound
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 2 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 2 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 2 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 2 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Carteret)breakwater, 5 miles
- Ophelia Inletinlet, 6 miles
USGS GNIS, NC DCM inlet hazard areas and OpenStreetMap.
NCDMF on Core Sound
“Major waterbodies and their tributaries include but are not limited to: Pamlico and Core sounds, Tar River downstream of Rocky Mount Mills Dam, Pamlico River, Pungo River, Neuse River downstream of Falls Lake Dam, White Oak River, and New River.”
Quoted from NCDMF anglers guides (source). Checked October 2026.
Creel limits, Core Sound
NCDMF rows, striped bass set 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.
For-hire boats and bait at Core Sound
Guides working near Core 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
Bait stores near Core Sound
- Cedar Creek Marinamarina, Carteret, 6 miles
- Joann's Lil Shopcountry store with bait, Beaufort, 8 miles
- Cape Pointe Marinamarina, Harkers Island, 10 miles
- Loggerhead The Boathouse Marinamarina, Beaufort, 13 miles
- Boat House Weddingsmarina, Carteret, 13 miles
- Airport Marinamarina, Beaufort, 14 miles
Neighbors of Core Sound on the map
Places to stay by Core Sound
- Davis3 miles
- Marshallberg7 miles
- Atlantic7 miles
- Harkers Island9 miles
Other bays by Core Sound
- Jarrett Bay4 miles west
- Nelson Bay6 miles north
- Long Bay11 miles north
- Back Sound11 miles southwest
Which counties Core Sound crosses
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Species to expect near Core Sound
Photo: Mick Johnson, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Jorge Alarcon or Dr. Daniel Benetti, Public domain
Photo: NOAA's Fisheries Collection; Collection of Brandi Noble, Public domain
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Photo: Carvalho-Souza, Gómez & González-Ortegón (2024), CC BY 4.0
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Core Sound in a few answers
What route leads to Core Sound?
Carteret County, which the rule map calls coastal fishing waters.
Which license works on Core Sound?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Is red drum open on Core Sound?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
When is flounder season on Core Sound?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
Is striped bass open on Core Sound?
Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected
Which ramp is nearest Core Sound?
Start at Unnamed slipway (Carteret County); there are 12 coastal launches.
Is there pier fishing at Core Sound?
None in the pier list nearby.
Which captains take paid trips on Core Sound?
18 charters and guides list a county on it.
Which tackle counter is nearest Core Sound?
Try Cedar Creek Marina (6 miles).
Load the boat for Core Sound
Coastal and joint waters each have their license rules; read them first.