Spanish mackerel fishing out of Morehead City is a reef fishery that runs June through November. This briefing covers when the fish are around, where boats run, which structure to fish, how local boats work it and who else fishes it. For biology and general behavior, see our spanish mackerel fishing guide. Use this page to decide which reef to run to.
When Spanish Mackerel Are Here
Spanish are around Morehead City June through November. Pelagic Sportfishing rates June through August prime and September and October excellent. For the coast-wide migration picture, see the Atlantic and Southeast spanish mackerel picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
| Window | Pelagic’s rating |
|---|---|
| June through August | Prime |
| September and October | Excellent |
| November | End of the local span |
June through August
Pelagic rates this window prime, which by that operator’s measure is when the reef fishery off Atlantic Beach is at its best.
September through November
Pelagic rates September and October excellent, and the local span runs into November. Pelagic gives no rating for November.
Where Boats Run From Morehead City
The fishery centers on nearshore reefs off Atlantic Beach. Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty is the reference point for run distances, and AR-315 sits 3.5 nm out from it. Brilliant’s NC waypoints guide names AR-315 as a spring-to-fall Spanish spot.
Bogue Inlet is the western door. AR-330 sits off it, and Liquid Fire Sportfishing runs trips from Bogue Inlet up to Beaufort Inlet. Most Spanish mackerel fishing out of Morehead City happens within a short run of the inlets.
Big Rock, about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet, marks the offshore end of local runs. For the fish that live out there, see offshore gamefish beyond spanish range.
The coordinates and chart layers on this page are for finding structure and should not be used for navigation. Check the NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before you run the inlet.
Reefs and Wrecks That Hold Spanish
The reefs below are listed shallow and close first, deeper second.
| Name | Structure | Depth (ft) | Reference point |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef | Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble, aircraft | 49 | 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty |
| AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef | – | – | – |
| AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef | – | – | Buoy at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W, off Bogue Inlet |
| AR-305 CCSA Reef | Aeolus, 439-ft former cable ship | 98 | – |
| U-352 | German submarine wreck | 90 | – |
| Swansboro Hole | – | – | – |
| West Rock | – | – | – |
AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef
AR-315 sits 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty, in 49 ft of water. The structure is the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble and aircraft. The Brilliant guide names it a spring-to-fall Spanish spot.
AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef
AR-320 is one of the AR-numbered reefs near the port.
AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef
The AR-330 buoy is at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W, off Bogue Inlet. Use that position to find the structure, not to navigate.
AR-305 CCSA Reef (Aeolus)
AR-305 lies in 98 ft. The Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef is built on the Aeolus, a 439-ft former cable ship.
U-352
The U-352, a German submarine wreck, lies in 90 ft.
Swansboro Hole and West Rock
Swansboro Hole and West Rock are both local grounds worth marking on your area map.
How Spanish Are Fished Here
Local fishing runs as nearshore half-day trips using live bait and casting on reefs. You run to the structure, fish it with live bait or cast to it, and head back in the same morning or afternoon. The species guide linked above carries the technique detail.
Who Fishes for Spanish Out of This Port
These operators list spanish mackerel among their trips:
- Capt. Stacy Fishing Center: the Capt. Stacy IV headboat plus private charter boats.
- Liquid Fire Sportfishing: Capt. Josh Henderson. Trips leave from Bogue Inlet up to Beaufort Inlet.
- Pelagic Sportfishing at Atlantic Beach: the 61-foot Pelagic, run by owner-operator Capt. Mike Webb.
- Breakwater Charters on Guidesly: a 50-foot Buddy Davis custom Carolina sportfish with Captain Ashley Forrest.
FAQ for Spanish Mackerel Fishing Out of Morehead City
What are the best months for Spanish mackerel out of Morehead City?
Spanish are around June through November. Pelagic Sportfishing rates June through August prime and September and October excellent, so this is a summer and fall fishery, with the span running into November.
What is the closest named reef to Beaufort Inlet?
AR-315 sits 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty, in 49 ft. It is the nearest reef with a published run from the jetty. The structure is the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble and aircraft, and the Brilliant guide names it a spring-to-fall Spanish spot.
Where is AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef?
The AR-330 buoy is at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W, off Bogue Inlet. Use the position to find the structure, not to navigate, and check the NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period before you run the inlet.
How are Spanish fished locally?
Local trips are nearshore half-days using live bait and casting on reefs. The listed structure runs from 49 ft at AR-315 to 98 ft at AR-305. The species guide covers technique in more depth.
Do Morehead City charters target Spanish mackerel?
Four local operators list spanish mackerel: Capt. Stacy Fishing Center (headboat and private boats), Liquid Fire Sportfishing, Pelagic Sportfishing and Breakwater Charters. Each is linked in the roster above.
