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Carteret County Coast

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

North Carolina, United States

4.7·1848 catches

Top fish species at Carteret County Coast

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Check which species have trophy potential in Carteret County Coast

Carteret County Coast fishing reports

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Leatherjack

length · weight

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Bluefish

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Atlantic stingray

length · weight

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Atlantic stingray

length · weight

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Spotted seatrout

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Spotted seatrout

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General info

Carteret County Coast is a part of an ocean located in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. It is also intersecting with Hyde County, North Carolina. It is most popular for fishing Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and Red drum.

Location

34°47′38.8″N 76°20′10.4″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Carteret County Coast, 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
Bluefish

Bluefish

Regulation boundaryNC North Carolina State Waters
Bag limit5

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.

Required licenses
Eligible for NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament managed by Division of Marine Fisheries.
Additional information
No minimum size. Recreational anglers engaged on a for-hire vessel can possess up to 5 bluefish per person per day.For seasons, bag limits, size limits, or closures see Current Fisheries Proclamations.
Edibility
Good, but may contain elevated mercury levels. Catch, Clean, Cook Bluefish by DMFD
Synonyms
Pomatomus saltatrix
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
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
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Local laws and licenses

North Carolina fishing license

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Reviews of Carteret County Coast

4.7
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39 ratings

5
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1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Atlantic

6.1 miles away

Davis

7.3 miles away

Marshallberg

11.2 miles away

Harkers Island

14.3 miles away

Morehead City

23.3 miles away

Oriental

25.7 miles away

Minnesott Beach

30.6 miles away

Arapahoe

31.9 miles away

Havelock

32.8 miles away

Ocracoke

32.8 miles away

Vandemere

33.0 miles away

Mesic

33.2 miles away

Broad Creek

33.7 miles away

Grantsboro

37.6 miles away

Fairfield Harbour

40.0 miles away

Emerald Isle

40.3 miles away

Swan Quarter

42.6 miles away

Aurora

43.5 miles away

Swansboro

45.9 miles away

New Bern

46.6 miles away

Hatteras

47.0 miles away

Bayview

51.6 miles away

Fairfield

52.4 miles away

Engelhard

52.7 miles away

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FAQ about Carteret County Coast fishing

📍 Where is Carteret County Coast located?
Carteret County Coast is a part of an ocean located in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. It is also intersecting with Hyde County, North Carolina. Its coordinates are:
34°47′38.8″N 76°20′10.4″W
.
🎣 Where on Carteret County Coast is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Carteret County Coast 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 Carteret County Coast?
The most common species in Carteret County Coast are:
  • Bluefish - 152 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Spanish mackerel - 143 members reported to have caught this fish
  • Red drum - 78 members reported to have caught this fish
📢 What are the latest Carteret County Coast fishing reports?
The latest Carteret County Coast fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Carteret County Coast right now?
According to fishing regulations at Carteret County Coast, some of the species in season this November include: Spotted seatrout, Summer flounder, Southern flounder, Cobia, and Red grouper. 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 Carteret County Coast?

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.

Get license
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