Turnagain Bay Fishing
Carteret County, coastal fishing waters.
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Turnagain Bay, sized up
In Carteret County, Turnagain Bay forms a bay of the coast. Census water polygons carrying the name total about 2.5 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 3 coastal launches nearby.
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NCDMF reef guide, NC DCM access sites, NCWRC access areas and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Other ramps by Turnagain Bay
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 8 miles
- Salters Creek1 lane, 15 trailer spaces, 1 dock, coastal waters, 8 miles
- Unnamed slipway (Carteret County)boat ramp, coastal waters, 10 miles
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and OpenStreetMap slipways.
Structure off Turnagain Bay
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Materials | Built | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR-396 Oriental | 15 | Reef Ball (4), Natural Material (3), Tires (3), Concrete (2) | 1973 to 2013 | 10 miles |
| AR-275 Billy Smith Reef | 55 | Concrete (3), Vessel (2), Reef Ball (2) | 1991 to 2007 | 16 miles |
| AR-293 | 15 | Reef Ball (1) | 2023 to 2023 | 21 miles |
NCDMF Artificial Reef Program. All North Carolina reefs.
Ocean inlets near Turnagain Bay
- Unnamed breakwater (Carteret)breakwater, 10 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Atlantic)breakwater, 11 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Oriental)breakwater, 12 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 13 miles
- Unnamed breakwater (Davis)breakwater, 13 miles
- New Drum Inletinlet, 14 miles
USGS GNIS, NC DCM inlet hazard areas and OpenStreetMap.
Creel limits, Turnagain Bay
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 Turnagain Bay
Guides working near Turnagain Bay
- 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 Turnagain Bay
- The Harbor Club at River Dunesmarina, Oriental, 9 miles
- Paradise Cove Marinamarina, Merritt, 10 miles
- Town Creek Marina, 114 Town Creek Drmarina, Beaufort, 10 miles
- Cedar Creek Marinamarina, Carteret, 10 miles
- Marine Craftmarina, Merritt, 11 miles
- Point Marinamarina, Merritt, 11 miles
Neighbors of Turnagain Bay on the map
Places to stay by Turnagain Bay
- Oriental11 miles
- Atlantic11 miles
- Davis14 miles
- Vandemere17 miles
Other bays by Turnagain Bay
- Long Bay4 miles southeast
- South River5 miles southwest
- West Bay6 miles northeast
- Nelson Bay9 miles southeast
Which counties Turnagain Bay crosses
Piscifun reels for this water
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Species to expect near Turnagain Bay
Photo: Mick Johnson, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Chaotic42 (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Donna Fernstrom, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Stefanie Tellex. (talk) (Uploads), Public domain
Turnagain Bay in a few answers
What route leads to Turnagain Bay?
Carteret County, which the rule map calls coastal fishing waters.
Which license works on Turnagain Bay?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Is red drum open on Turnagain Bay?
Red drum: 1 a day, 18-27 in; Year-round.
When is flounder season on Turnagain Bay?
Flounder: 1 a day, 15 in minimum; season Sept. 1-14, 2026.
Is striped bass open on Turnagain Bay?
Central Southern Management Area applies. Was open April 1-30, 2026; 1 fish, 18 in minimum, 22-27 in protected
Which ramp is nearest Turnagain Bay?
Start at Unnamed slipway (Carteret County); there are 3 coastal launches.
Is there pier fishing at Turnagain Bay?
None in the pier list nearby.
Which captains take paid trips on Turnagain Bay?
18 charters and guides list a county on it.
Which tackle counter is nearest Turnagain Bay?
Try The Harbor Club at River Dunes (9 miles).
Load the boat for Turnagain Bay
Coastal and joint waters each have their license rules; read them first.