Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing out of Morehead City runs mid-December through February, with boats leaving Beaufort Inlet for the offshore Gulf Stream grounds. This page covers when the fish are here, how far boats run, which named structure sits near the port, how local boats approach the trip, and who books it. For the fish itself, see the Atlantic bluefin tuna species guide.
When bluefin out of Morehead City are here
Winter bluefin are the reason boats leave Atlantic Beach and Beaufort Inlet in the coldest part of the year. For the wider picture beyond this port, see the Atlantic Southeast picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide).
Main window
Mid-December through February is the main window. Plan crew, fuel and days off around those weeks.
November
Pelagic Sportfishing’s calendar for its Atlantic Beach boat also rates November as good. That rating comes from one boat’s calendar, so treat it as a single data point for the shoulder of the window.
Where boats run from Beaufort Inlet
Boats run to the offshore Gulf Stream grounds. Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty is the zero point for every distance on this page.
Big Rock sits about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet. Skippers know it as the long-range marker, and it works as a reference point for the run rather than a place the fish are guaranteed to be.
Distance comes down to fuel and daylight. Work out the run out, the time on the grounds and the run back to the inlet before you leave the dock, and check the official NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period.
- Zero point: Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty
- Long-range marker: Big Rock, about 39 nm southeast
- Destination: the offshore Gulf Stream grounds
- Planning limit: fuel and daylight, both ways
Named grounds and structure near Morehead City
These are named structure near the port and landmarks skippers run by. They are not claimed bluefin grounds. Named structure shows on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Name | Structure | Depth (ft) | Location note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 | 90 | |
| Big Rock | About 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet | ||
| Swansboro Hole | |||
| West Rock |
Reefs off Beaufort Inlet
AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef sits in 49 ft, 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty, and holds the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble and aircraft. AR-305 is the Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef, and AR-320 is Clifton Moss Reef.
AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef lies off Bogue Inlet. Its buoy is at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W.
Wrecks
The Aeolus, a 439-ft former cable ship, anchors AR-305 in 98 ft. The U-352 German submarine wreck lies in 90 ft.
Offshore rocks and holes
Big Rock is about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet. Swansboro Hole and West Rock are the other named offshore features on the local chart.
How bluefin are fished out of this port
Locally, bluefin are booked as separate trips. Due South runs them that way, apart from the regular offshore day.
Per the FishingBooker Morehead City guide, a keeper can take hours to land. Plan for crew stamina, a fuel reserve and enough daylight left for the run back to Beaufort Inlet.
For general technique, see our tuna fishing guides.
Three things shape the local approach:
- Dedicated trips: bluefin are not a bonus on a general offshore day
- Long fights: a single keeper can take hours
- Time budget: daylight has to cover the fight and the run in
Who fishes for them out of Morehead City
Due South Sport Fishing lists Atlantic bluefin tuna and books them as separate trips. The boat is named Due South.
If you run your own boat, a charter trip shows what an hours-long fight demands of crew, fuel and daylight. Use it as a planning check before you commit your own hull.
- Operator: Due South Sport Fishing
- Boat: Due South
- Booking: bluefin as separate trips
FAQ: bluefin tuna out of Morehead City
When is bluefin season off Morehead City?
Mid-December through February is the main window.
Is November worth fishing?
Pelagic Sportfishing’s calendar for its Atlantic Beach boat rates November as good.
How far is Big Rock from Beaufort Inlet?
About 39 nm southeast.
How long does a keeper take to land?
It can take hours, per the FishingBooker Morehead City guide. Plan crew, fuel and daylight around that.
Does a local charter run bluefin trips?
Yes. Due South books bluefin as separate trips.
