Swordfish fishing out of Morehead City is a night drift in deep water, and every run starts at Beaufort Inlet. This guide covers the one documented local run, the named grounds and structure around the port, the local method, and who fishes for swordfish from here.
When swordfish are fished out of Morehead City
The documented local fishing happens at night. Both the 2007 report and the local method describe a night drift, so plan the trip around dark.
For biology and general timing, see our swordfish guide. For how the fishery fits the wider coast, see the Atlantic Southeast swordfish guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
How far boats run from Beaufort Inlet
The documented local run is one boat on one night, so treat it as a planning figure rather than a rule.
The documented run
A 2007 Carolina Sportsman article describes one Morehead City boat, Second to None, fishing about 60 miles out in 300 fathoms (1,800 ft) at night.
Range planning, in figures only
Three numbers frame the trip:
- Distance: about 60 miles out
- Depth: 300 fathoms
- Timing: a night trip
Plan your range against those figures and your own boat’s numbers. Check the official NWS marine forecast for wind and sea conditions before a night run.
Grounds and structure near Morehead City
The offshore grounds are covered first, followed by the nearshore structure you pass on the way out.
Offshore grounds: Big Rock, West Rock, Swansboro Hole
Big Rock is a named offshore ground about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet. West Rock and Swansboro Hole are named offshore grounds near the port.
You can save these as waypoints and view them against Chart Contours in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Nearshore reefs and wrecks
These named structures lie on the route out of Beaufort Inlet and work as landmarks. The North Carolina artificial reef guide has the official AR listings.
| Name | Feature | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef | Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble, aircraft | 49 ft | 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 ft | |
| U-352 | German submarine wreck | 90 ft | |
| AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef | |||
| AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef | Buoy at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W, off Bogue Inlet |
How swordfish are fished locally
The boat drifts at night, with balloon floats holding the baits up.
The night drift
Boats drift after dark with balloon floats carrying the baits. The species guide covers the basics of the fish and the rig.
Baits, depths and lights
The local setup uses three elements:
- Bait: squid
- Depth: 50 to 250 ft
- Lights: light sticks or strobes
Who fishes for swordfish out of Morehead City
Due South Sport Fishing lists swordfish. The boat is Due South, and the site names no captain.
If you already run offshore for marlin or sailfish, our billfish guides cover that side of the fishery.
FAQ: swordfish out of Morehead City
How far offshore are swordfish from Morehead City?
The documented report is a 2007 Carolina Sportsman article on Second to None, which fished about 60 miles out in 300 fathoms (1,800 ft) at night. It covers one boat and one old report, and it is the only documented swordfish run out of Morehead City on this page.
What depth are baits set?
Baits are fished at 50 to 250 ft. The local setup is squid baits under balloon floats on a night drift, with light sticks or strobes.
Is Big Rock a swordfish spot?
Big Rock is a named offshore ground about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet. This page does not tie it to the 2007 report.
Is there a charter that targets swordfish?
Due South Sport Fishing lists swordfish. The boat is Due South, and the site names no captain.
Where are the rules?
The state and federal regulation pages are linked in the Regulations section above. Check both before you fish.
