When greater amberjack are here
Greater amberjack fishing out of Morehead City runs year-round and is strongest in spring through fall, according to the Brilliant guide on the U-352 wreck. The structure is a mix of nearshore reefs and deeper wrecks. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide.
The Morehead City port guide covers inlets, ramps and conditions. For how the fish live and behave, see the greater amberjack species guide. Every distance on this page is measured from Beaufort Inlet.
How far boats run from Beaufort Inlet
Most grounds are given in nautical miles, but AR-305 is given in run time, so the figures are not directly comparable. Boats from Bogue Inlet to the west and boats running outside Cape Lookout start from different points, so plan each leg on your own chart.
| Ground | Run from Beaufort Inlet |
|---|---|
| AR-315 | 3.5 nm |
| U-352 | About 26 nm |
| Big Rock | About 39 nm |
| AR-305 | About 1.5 to 2 hours |
AR-315
AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef sits 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty. It is the closest named structure on this page.
AR-305
AR-305 is about 1.5 to 2 hours by boat from Morehead City or Beaufort. That is a time figure, not a distance.
U-352
The U-352 wreck lies about 26 nm south of Beaufort Inlet. The run goes outside Cape Lookout.
Big Rock
Big Rock is a named ground about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet.
From Bogue Inlet
AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef lies off Bogue Inlet. Its buoy sits at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W.
Grounds and structure that hold them
The table lists each named site with what is known about it. Blank cells mean no figure is given.
| Site | Structure | Depth (ft) | Distance/position |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef | Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble, aircraft | 49 | 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty |
| AR-305 Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef | Aeolus, 439-ft former cable ship | 98 | About 1.5 to 2 hours from Morehead City or Beaufort |
| AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef | |||
| AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef | Buoy at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W, off Bogue Inlet | ||
| U-352 | German submarine wreck | About 90 | About 26 nm south of Beaufort Inlet |
| Big Rock | About 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet | ||
| Swansboro Hole | |||
| West Rock |
The deeper structure sits near 90 to 110 ft: the U-352 spans 90 to 110 ft and AR-305 sits at 98 ft. AR-315 is shallower, at 49 ft.
Waypoints and depths shown in Chart Contours are for planning; chart layers are not for navigation.
AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef
The structure is the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble and aircraft in 49 ft, 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty.
AR-305 and the Aeolus
This is the Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef. The Aeolus, a 439-ft former cable ship, sits in 98 ft.
U-352 wreck
The German submarine wreck sits at about 90 ft. The next section covers its vertical profile.
AR-320, AR-330, Swansboro Hole and West Rock
These four grounds are AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef, AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef, Swansboro Hole and West Rock. The AR-330 buoy sits at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W.
How it is fished here
Bottom fishing and wreck fishing are the local methods, and the work is done on the structure rather than in open water.
Bottom and wreck fishing
Fish the structure itself. For rigs, tackle and technique, see the reef fish fishing guides.
The U-352 profile
The Brilliant guide puts the wreck top near 90 ft and the hull at 105 to 110 ft, a spread of about 15 to 20 ft from top to hull. Plan your drop around that number.
Who fishes them out of this port
Two local operations list greater amberjack. Trips leave from Bogue Inlet up to Beaufort Inlet.
Capt. Stacy Fishing Center
Capt. Stacy Fishing Center runs the Capt. Stacy IV headboat plus private charter boats.
Liquid Fire Sportfishing
Liquid Fire Sportfishing charters are run by Capt. Josh Henderson.
FAQ: greater amberjack off Morehead City
When is the best time for greater amberjack off Morehead City?
Fishing runs year-round and is strongest in spring through fall, according to the Brilliant guide on the U-352 wreck. Plan your trips around that window.
How far is the U-352 from Beaufort Inlet?
The U-352 lies about 26 nm south of Beaufort Inlet. The run goes outside Cape Lookout. Measure the leg from Beaufort Inlet on your own chart before you go.
How deep is the U-352?
The wreck top is near 90 ft and the hull lies at 105 to 110 ft, per the Brilliant guide. That puts about 15 to 20 ft between the top of the wreck and the hull.
How deep is AR-305 and how long is the run?
AR-305 sits in 98 ft and is about 1.5 to 2 hours by boat from Morehead City or Beaufort. The structure is the Aeolus, a 439-ft former cable ship.
Which charters list greater amberjack?
Capt. Stacy Fishing Center lists greater amberjack, with the Capt. Stacy IV headboat and private charter boats. Liquid Fire Sportfishing, run by Capt. Josh Henderson, fishes from Bogue Inlet up to Beaufort Inlet.
