Jones Bay Fishing
Pamlico County, coastal fishing waters.
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Groundwork on Jones Bay
On the map, Jones Bay is a bay along Pamlico County. TIGER hydrography measures it near 5.2 square miles. Its center falls in coastal fishing waters on the joint boundary map. Striped bass limits come from the Central Southern Management Area.
Within a short drive are 6 coastal launches.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Boating access near Jones Bay
- U.S. Coast Guard – Station Hobuckenboat ramp, coastal waters, 5 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Pamlico County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Pamlico County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 8 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Pamlico County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 8 miles
- Vandemere2 lanes, 30 trailer spaces, 2 docks, coastal waters, 8 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Pamlico County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 10 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
NCDMF reefs near Jones Bay
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-293 | 15 | Reef Ball (1) | 2023 to 2023 | 6 miles |
| AR-396 Oriental | 15 | Reef Ball (4), Natural Material (3), Tires (3), Concrete (2) | 1973 to 2013 | 15 miles |
| AR-292 Quilley Point | 15 | Tires (1) | 1985 to 1985 | 18 miles |
| AR-291 Bayview Reef | 15 | Concrete (7), Reef Ball (6) | 2012 to 2022 | 22 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Coastal limits on Jones Bay
NCDMF limits with the Central Southern Management Area striped bass row.
| 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.
Charters and bait around Jones Bay
Captains and guides by Jones Bay
- Fin- S Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Arapahoe, (252) 241-3590
- Island Girl Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Arapahoe, (252) 725-4956
- Pamlico Pirate Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Oriental, (252) 670-3499
Counters a drive from Jones Bay
- Paradise Cove Marinamarina, Merritt, 10 miles
- The Harbor Club at River Dunesmarina, Oriental, 10 miles
- Ensign Harbor Incmarina, Merritt, 10 miles
- Point Marinamarina, Merritt, 11 miles
- Marine Craftmarina, Merritt, 11 miles
The area around Jones Bay
Towns within a drive of Jones Bay
- Mesic7 miles
- Vandemere8 miles
- Stonewall14 miles
- Bayboro15 miles
Nearby bays to Jones Bay
- West Bay14 miles southeast
- Swanquarter Bay15 miles northeast
- Rose Bay15 miles northeast
- Turnagain Bay16 miles south
Counties that hold Jones Bay
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Jones Bay, the common questions
Where in North Carolina is Jones Bay?
Pamlico County; its center is coastal fishing waters.
Is Jones Bay coastal or joint water?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
What size red drum can I keep on Jones Bay?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
Is flounder open on Jones Bay?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
Which striped bass rules cover Jones Bay?
Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected
Where does a trailer go into Jones Bay?
Try U.S. Coast Guard – Station Hobucken, one of 6 coastal launches.
Are there fishing piers near Jones Bay?
No pier is mapped close by.
Who runs fishing trips on Jones Bay?
3 charters and guides work its counties.
Which counter sits nearest Jones Bay?
Drive 10 miles to reach Paradise Cove Marina.
Make for Jones Bay
Each pier and ramp above links to its details.