Blackfin tuna fishing out of Swansboro is a Gulf Stream trip, and the Gulf Stream sits roughly 15 miles out from Bogue Inlet. Trips run year-round, and a full day on the water is 10.5 hours.
Biology, size and range are in our blackfin tuna guide. This page covers the run, the day length, the named structure off the port, how it is fished, who runs it, and where the rules live.
When blackfin are around Swansboro
Instigator offers Gulf Stream trips year-round. That describes trip availability and does not promise that blackfin show up on every trip.
Year-round Gulf Stream trips
Boats run to the Gulf Stream in every month of the year. Plan around the numbers on the day: wind speed, wave height and wave period from the official NWS marine forecast.
Launch details, the inlet and nearby water are on the Swansboro port page.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gulf Stream trips | Offered year-round |
| Run from Bogue Inlet | Roughly 15 miles |
| Gulf Stream day | 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Method | Offshore trolling |
Running to the Gulf Stream from Bogue Inlet
The distance out and the length of the day shape the plan.
Distance
Boats leave Swansboro through Bogue Inlet, and the Gulf Stream is roughly a 15-mile cruise. Before committing to the run, check wind speed, wave height and wave period on the official NWS marine forecast. Those numbers decide the day.
Day length
Instigator’s Gulf Stream day runs 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM from Swansboro, 10.5 hours dock to dock. Use that window as a baseline when planning your own day.
Grounds and structure off Swansboro
These are the named structures off the port, on or near the route out. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Name | ID | Position or location note |
|---|---|---|
| Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef | AR-342 | |
| J. Paul Tyndall Reef | AR-340 | |
| Swansboro Rotary Club Reef | AR-345 | |
| Howard Chapin Reef | AR-330 | |
| 14 Buoy | ||
| Station Rock | 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W. About 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet. | |
| Keypost Rocks | KP1 and KP2 | Directly out from the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. |
| East Rock (Bogue) | 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W |
Artificial reefs
Four artificial reefs sit off the port: Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef (AR-342), J. Paul Tyndall Reef (AR-340), Swansboro Rotary Club Reef (AR-345) and Howard Chapin Reef (AR-330).
Rocks and hard bottom
Station Rock sits at 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W, about 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet. Keypost Rocks (KP1 and KP2) lie directly out from the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. East Rock (Bogue) sits at 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W.
14 Buoy
14 Buoy is a named structure off the port.
How blackfin out of Swansboro are fished
The local method is offshore trolling.
Offshore trolling
Boats cover water by trolling. Regional trolling and seasonal patterns are in our Atlantic Southeast blackfin guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
What shares the spread
Instigator lists these species together:
- Blackfin tuna
- Yellowfin tuna
- Mahi
- Wahoo
- Mackerels
Yellowfin and the other tunas are covered in our tuna fishing guides.
Who runs it from Swansboro
Instigator Fishing & Diving Charters lists blackfin tuna and runs a 31′ Contender for both fishing and freediving. The Gulf Stream day runs 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
FAQ: blackfin tuna fishing out of Swansboro
How far is the Gulf Stream for blackfin tuna fishing out of Swansboro?
The Gulf Stream is a cruise of roughly 15 miles out Bogue Inlet. Instigator’s Gulf Stream trip runs 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM, a 10.5-hour day.
Can you fish the Gulf Stream from Swansboro year-round?
Gulf Stream trips run year-round. That reflects trip availability and does not guarantee blackfin. Check wind speed, wave height and wave period on the NWS marine forecast before you go.
Which Swansboro charter lists blackfin tuna?
Instigator Fishing & Diving Charters lists blackfin tuna. It runs a 31′ Contender for fishing and freediving trips.
What else bites on the troll with blackfin?
Instigator lists yellowfin tuna, mahi, wahoo and mackerels alongside blackfin. The local method is offshore trolling.
Where are the rules for tuna out of Swansboro?
North Carolina state rules apply, along with the federal rules for Atlantic tunas. Check both before you fish.
