Hatteras Bight Fishing
Dare County, coastal fishing waters.
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Getting oriented on Hatteras Bight
Hatteras Bight is a bight in Dare 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 1 fishing pier, 12 coastal launches and 9 DCM access sites close to it.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Hatteras Bight without a boat
Pier access by Hatteras Bight
- Avon Fishing Pierocean fishing pier, 10 miles, blanket license
Public shore access by Hatteras Bight
- Ramp 44, Dare County10 parking, estuarine
- Ramp 43, Dare County10 parking, estuarine
- Frisco Bathhouse Sandy Bay Day Use Area, Dare County45 parking, restrooms, ocean
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Dare County120 parking, ocean
- Frisco Hatteras Access, Dare County27 parking, ocean
- Kite Point, Dare County50 parking, estuarine
- Canadian Hole Haulover Day Use Area, Dare County62 parking, restrooms, estuarine
- Graveyard Atlantic Museum and Ramp 55, Dare County17 parking, ocean
- Ramp 38, Dare County20 parking, ocean
Within 8 miles, 9 DCM access sites reach the water.
NCDMF pier list and NC DCM Beach and Waterfront Access sites.
Nearest put-ins to Hatteras Bight
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Boat Ramp, Dare Countyboat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Dare County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 3 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Built reefs around Hatteras Bight
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-296 Hatteras Island Business Association Reef | 15 | Natural Material (295) | 2002 to 2024 | 5 miles |
| AR-220 | 64 | Reef Ball (6), Concrete (1) | 1986 to 2001 | 8 miles |
| AR-225 | 67 | Concrete (2), Metal (1) | 1986 to 1986 | 9 miles |
| AR-230 Mr. J.C. Reef | 72 | Vessel (3) | 1987 to 1991 | 11 miles |
| AR-298 Ocracoke | 15 | Natural Material (69), Concrete (18), Reef Ball (4), Vessel (3) | 1986 to 2024 | 24 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Where Hatteras Bight opens to the Atlantic
- Buxton Jetty (First Jetty)jetty, 4 miles
- Second Jettyjetty, 4 miles
- Third Jettyjetty, 4 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Hatteras)breakwater, 7 miles
- Hatteras Inletinlet, 10 miles
USGS GNIS, NC DCM inlet hazard areas and OpenStreetMap.
Harvest rules for Hatteras Bight
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 Hatteras Bight
Guides on Hatteras Bight
- Bak Bar Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hatteras Landing / Teach's Lair marinas, (252) 216-8576
- Beach Bum Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Kill Devil Hills, (252) 449-0232
- Capt Johnny Inccoastal charter (trip type not stated), Manteo, (252) 473-9414
- Carolina Girl Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hatteras Landing / Teach's Lair marinas, (252) 256-1672
- Country Girl Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Manteo, (252) 473-5881
- Drum Roll Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hatteras Landing / Teach's Lair marinas, (252) 305-3012
- Elizabeth Grace Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Hatteras Landing / Teach's Lair marinas, (252) 216-5733
- Fintasia Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Manteo, (252) 473-6211
Where to buy bait by Hatteras Bight
- Bob's Frisco Tackle and Conveniencebait and tackle shop, Frisco, 3 miles
- Red Drum Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Buxton, 4 miles
- The Pelican's Roostbait and tackle shop, Hatteras, 6 miles
- Oden's Dockmarina, Hatteras, 6 miles
- Village Marinamarina, Dare, 7 miles
- Hatteras Harbor Marina Incmarina, Hatteras, 7 miles
In reach of Hatteras Bight
Towns nearest Hatteras Bight
- Frisco2 miles
- Buxton2 miles
- Hatteras6 miles
- Avon9 miles
Tidal water by Hatteras Bight
- Pamlico Sound17 miles northwest
- Wysocking Bay29 miles northwest
- Stumpy Point Bay34 miles north
- Juniper Bay40 miles west
Hatteras Bight county links
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Worth knowing about Hatteras Bight
What is the exact spot of Hatteras Bight?
Dare County, in coastal fishing waters.
Which fishing license fits Hatteras Bight?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
How many red drum may I keep on Hatteras Bight?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
Can I keep flounder from Hatteras Bight?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
What striped bass area is Hatteras Bight in?
Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected
Which ramps reach Hatteras Bight?
12 coastal launches, closest Unnamed slipway (Dare County).
Which pier sits closest to Hatteras Bight?
1 pier; Avon Fishing Pier is closest.
Which captains run Hatteras Bight?
78 charters and guides are based in its counties.
Which counter sells bait nearest Hatteras Bight?
The nearest listing is Bob's Frisco Tackle and Convenience, 3 miles off.
Spend time on Hatteras Bight
Check the striped bass area before you keep one.