Stump Sound Fishing
Onslow County, coastal fishing waters.
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Stump Sound through an angler’s eyes
The sound called Stump Sound borders Onslow County. Named Census water pieces add up to roughly 1.5 square miles. At its center point, the boundary rule reads coastal fishing waters. It lies in the Central Southern Management Area for striped bass.
Nearby you will find 5 fishing piers, 12 coastal launches and 95 DCM access sites.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Piers and beach access on Stump Sound
Piers closest to Stump Sound
- Morris Landingsound/river access pier, 2 miles
- Seaview Fishing Pierocean fishing pier, 5 miles
- Surf City Public Fishing Areapublic fishing area pier, 5 miles
- Surf City Pierocean fishing pier, 5 miles
- Jolly Roger Pierocean fishing pier, 12 miles, blanket license
Beach and waterfront access near Stump Sound
- Beach Access # 18, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #20, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access # 19, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #21, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access # 17, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access # 16, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #22, North Topsail Beachocean
- OC BA-23, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access # 15, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #24, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #25, North Topsail Beachocean
- Beach Access #26, North Topsail Beachocean
The DCM layer counts 95 access points within 8 miles of Stump Sound.
NCDMF pier list and NC DCM Beach and Waterfront Access sites.
Access areas around Stump Sound
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 1 mile
- Turkey Creek2 lanes, 10 trailer spaces, 1 dock, coastal waters, 1 mile
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 2 miles
- West Onslow Beach2 lanes, 18 trailer spaces, 2 docks, coastal waters, 3 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 4 miles
- Surf City2 lanes, 60 trailer spaces, restrooms, 2 docks, coastal waters, 5 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 6 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 7 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Pender County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 7 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 7 miles
- Sneads Ferry2 lanes, 35 trailer spaces, 4 docks, coastal waters, 8 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Onslow County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 8 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Reef sites close to Stump Sound
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-360 Topsail Reef | 44 | Concrete (2), Reef Ball (1) | 1992 to 2023 | 11 miles |
| AR-355 New River Reef | 50 | Concrete (7), Metal (1) | 1986 to 1993 | 12 miles |
| AR-398 New River | 15 | Concrete (9) | 2010 to 2010 | 14 miles |
| AR-362 Tom Boyette Reef | 54 | Concrete (2), Metal (1) | 1986 to 2002 | 15 miles |
| AR-366 | 66 | Concrete (4), Metal (2) | 1986 to 2004 | 19 miles |
| AR-364 Billy Murrell Reef | 44 | Vessel (5), Concrete (2), Fiberglass (1), Atlantic Pods (1) | 1988 to 2015 | 21 miles |
| AR-368 | 66 | Vessel (2), Concrete (2), Metal (1) | 1986 to 2022 | 22 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Inlets by Stump Sound
- New River Inletinlet, 9 miles
- New Topsail Inletinlet, 13 miles
USGS GNIS, NC DCM inlet hazard areas and OpenStreetMap.
Regulations on Stump Sound
Coastal and joint limits; striped bass under 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 by Stump Sound
Book a guide near Stump Sound
- Atlantic Blue Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Sneads Ferry, (252) 508-5576
- Charter Gladys Mcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Sneads Ferry, (910) 327-3865
- Dock Shocker Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Sneads Ferry, (910) 507-9679
- Friendly City Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Swansboro, (910) 330-4764
- Hot Pursuit Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Sneads Ferry, (910) 606-4661
- Joyful Noise Fishing Chartercoastal charter (trip type not stated), Jacksonville, (910) 358-9723
- Lotta Luck Fishingcoastal charter (trip type not stated), Swansboro, (252) 413-7674
- Nancy Lee Fishing Charterscoastal charter (trip type not stated), Swansboro, (252) 354-3474
Tackle counters around Stump Sound
- Herring's Bait & Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Surf City, 4 miles
- New River Marina, 104 James Avemarina, Holly Ridge, 5 miles
- Yopp Brothers Mariune, Tackle, & Gift Shopbait and tackle shop, Sneads Ferry, 6 miles
- Bayshore Marinamarina, Onslow, 8 miles
- New River Marina, 129 Sail Waymarina, Sneads Ferry, 8 miles
- Old Ferry Marinamarina, Sneads Ferry, 8 miles
Short drives from Stump Sound
Home bases near Stump Sound
- North Topsail Beach3 miles
- Surf City4 miles
- Holly Ridge4 miles
- Sneads Ferry8 miles
Next sounds over from Stump Sound
- Everett Bayunder a mile east
- Chadwick Bay7 miles northeast
- Stones Bay9 miles northeast
- Courthouse Bay10 miles northeast
County pages tied to Stump Sound
Spinning, baitcasting and a weigh grip
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Common catches near Stump Sound
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC., Public domain
Photo: Jorge Alarcon or Dr. Daniel Benetti, Public domain
Quick facts on Stump Sound
Which counties touch Stump Sound?
It lies along Onslow County (coastal fishing waters).
Which license do I need on Stump Sound?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
How many red drum can I keep on Stump Sound?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
What is the flounder limit on Stump Sound?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
What are the striper rules on Stump Sound?
Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected
Where do boats go in on Stump Sound?
Unnamed slipway (Onslow County) is closest of 12 coastal launches.
Do piers near Stump Sound cover my license?
Morris Landing leads 5 piers.
Can I book a charter close to Stump Sound?
There are 12 charters and guides in the county listings.
Is a tackle shop close to Stump Sound?
Herring's Bait & Tackle Shop sits about 4 miles away.
Block out a day for Stump Sound
Read the coastal limits before the trip.