Pamlico Sound Fishing
Dare County and Hyde County, coastal fishing waters.
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Getting oriented on Pamlico Sound
Pamlico Sound is a sound in Dare County and Hyde County. About 1,198.9 square miles of Census water bear the name. 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.
NCDMF notes on it cover cobia, oyster, red drum, speckled trout and striped bass.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Built reefs around Pamlico Sound
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-296 Hatteras Island Business Association Reef | 15 | Natural Material (295) | 2002 to 2024 | 12 miles |
| AR-298 Ocracoke | 15 | Natural Material (69), Concrete (18), Reef Ball (4), Vessel (3) | 1986 to 2024 | 15 miles |
| AR-220 | 64 | Reef Ball (6), Concrete (1) | 1986 to 2001 | 17 miles |
| AR-230 Mr. J.C. Reef | 72 | Vessel (3) | 1987 to 1991 | 18 miles |
| AR-225 | 67 | Concrete (2), Metal (1) | 1986 to 1986 | 19 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Where Pamlico Sound opens to the Atlantic
- Hatteras Inletinlet, 12 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Hatteras)breakwater, 12 miles
USGS GNIS, NC DCM inlet hazard areas and OpenStreetMap.
Pamlico Sound in NCDMF guides
“In Pamlico Sound, 1,500 tons of recycled concrete will be deployed at AR-298 (Ocracoke) and 1,000 tons of granite will be deployed at AR-296 (Hatteras).”
“Located just northwest of Cedar Island in southern Pamlico Sound, the site is home to healthy oyster populations and is a popular site for anglers targeting speckled trout and large red drum.”
“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.”
“The state also has 25 estuarine reefs in Albemarle and Pamlico sounds and the Pungo, Pamlico and Neuse rivers.”
Quoted from NCDMF anglers guides (source). Checked October 2026.
Harvest rules for Pamlico 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 Pamlico Sound
Guides on Pamlico Sound
- 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 Pamlico Sound
- Village Marinamarina, Dare, 12 miles
- Hatteras Harbor Marina Incmarina, Hatteras, 12 miles
- Oden's Dockmarina, Hatteras, 12 miles
- Teach's Lair Marinamarina, Dare, 12 miles
- The Roost Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Dare, 12 miles
- Hatteras Landing Marinamarina, Hatteras, 12 miles
In reach of Pamlico Sound
Towns nearest Pamlico Sound
- Hatteras12 miles
- Frisco15 miles
- Engelhard15 miles
- Buxton18 miles
Tidal water by Pamlico Sound
- Wysocking Bay13 miles west
- Hatteras Bight17 miles southeast
- Stumpy Point Bay24 miles north
- Juniper Bay24 miles west
Pamlico Sound county links
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Worth knowing about Pamlico Sound
What is the exact spot of Pamlico Sound?
Dare County and Hyde County, in coastal fishing waters.
Which fishing license fits Pamlico Sound?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
How many red drum may I keep on Pamlico Sound?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
Can I keep flounder from Pamlico Sound?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
What striped bass area is Pamlico 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 Pamlico Sound?
The records show nothing inside 10 miles.
Which pier sits closest to Pamlico Sound?
No listed pier within 12 miles.
Which captains run Pamlico Sound?
78 charters and guides are based in its counties.
Which counter sells bait nearest Pamlico Sound?
The nearest listing is Village Marina, 12 miles off.
Spend time on Pamlico Sound
Check the striped bass area before you keep one.