Top fish species at Back Sound

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Check which species have trophy potential in Back Sound

Back Sound fishing reports

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Inshore lizardfish

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Southern flounder

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Blue crab

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Blue crab

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Spanish mackerel

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Spanish mackerel

length · weight

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General info

Back Sound is an inshore water located in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. It is most popular for fishing Red drum, Pinfish, and Spanish mackerel.

Location

34°40′51.6″N 76°34′8″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Back Sound, NC

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in North Carolina can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Red drum

Red drum

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Bag limit1

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size18" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Max size27" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish greater than the maximum size except as permitted.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
Harvest in federal waters prohibited. Unlawful to gig, spear, or gaff. Unlawful to posess redfish greater than 27 inches total length. Mandatory Harvest Reporting Requirement: All red drum that are kept must be reported to the Division of Marine Fisheries through an online form or iPhone App. Learn more.
Edibility
Very Good
Synonyms
Channel Bass, Redfish, Sciaenops ocellatus, Spottail Bass
Season open: year-round
Pinfish

Pinfish

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Additional information
No closed season. No bag limit. No size limit.
Edibility
Poor, but grouper love them.
Synonyms
Lagodon rhomboides, bait
Season open: year-round
Spanish mackerel

Spanish mackerel

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Bag limit15

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size12" (Fork Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Fork Length means the length of a fish as measured from the most forward point of the head to the rear center edge of the tail.

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
For more information about NC seasons, bag limits, size limits, or closures, see Current Fishery Proclamations.For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.
Edibility
Very good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Catch, Clean, Cook Spanish Mackerel by DMFD
Synonyms
Scomberomorus maculatus
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Local laws and licenses

North Carolina fishing license

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Cities nearby

Harkers Island

1.4 miles away

Marshallberg

4.4 miles away

Davis

10.1 miles away

Morehead City

10.2 miles away

Atlantic

18.9 miles away

Broad Creek

20.5 miles away

Havelock

24.4 miles away

Oriental

25.3 miles away

Minnesott Beach

25.5 miles away

Emerald Isle

26.2 miles away

Arapahoe

27.7 miles away

Swansboro

32.3 miles away

Fairfield Harbour

34.8 miles away

Vandemere

35.5 miles away

Grantsboro

35.7 miles away

Mesic

36.3 miles away

New Bern

40.4 miles away

Maysville

40.7 miles away

Piney Green

43.0 miles away

Pollocksville

43.2 miles away

Aurora

44.7 miles away

Jacksonville

47.0 miles away

Sneads Ferry

47.0 miles away

Ocracoke

47.9 miles away

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FAQ about Back Sound fishing

📍 Where is Back Sound located?
Back Sound is an inshore water located in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Its coordinates are:
34°40′51.6″N 76°34′8″W
.
🎣 Where on Back Sound is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Back Sound by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Back Sound?
The most common species in Back Sound are:
  • Red drum - 7 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Pinfish - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Spanish mackerel - 4 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Back Sound fishing reports?
The latest Back Sound fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Back Sound right now?
According to fishing regulations at Back Sound, some of the species in season this November include: Striped bass, Spotted seatrout, Cobia, Red grouper, and Atlantic bluefin tuna. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Back Sound?

Fishing in North Carolina requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination options, purchasable online or at vendors.

In North Carolina, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Residents 70 and older qualify for a discounted lifetime license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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