Blackfin tuna fishing out of Morehead City runs March through December, and the fish are usually found on the Gulf Stream edge or around the AR-305 reef area. The Pelagic calendar rates March, October and November prime, and the Aeolus is the named structure to know. Below are the months, the run distances from Beaufort Inlet, and the depth and material of each named ground.
When blackfin are off Morehead City
The season is long, with two prime windows. Use the calendar for planning, not as a promise of fish.
March through December
The Pelagic calendar places blackfin off Morehead City from March through December.
Prime months
The Pelagic calendar rates March, October and November prime, which gives one spring window and one fall window.
| Window | Months | Pelagic calendar rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March | Prime |
| Fall | October, November | Prime |
| Rest of season | April through September, December | In season |
For how blackfin behave and what they eat, see our blackfin tuna guide.
Where boats run from Beaufort Inlet
All distances here are measured from Beaufort Inlet. The Fort Macon jetty is the reference point for the nearest reef.
Gulf Stream edge
The Gulf Stream edge is the main ground boats run to for blackfin. For how the edge sets up along the wider coast, see our Atlantic Southeast blackfin guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide).
Big Rock
Big Rock sits about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet.
Nearshore reefs
AR-315 is the closest named structure, 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty, in 49 ft. The Brilliant Fishing NC guide places blackfin near the AR-305 reef area. Each ground is described further below.
- Closest: AR-315, 3.5 nm, 49 ft
- Reef area named for blackfin: AR-305, in 98 ft
- Farthest named ground: Big Rock, about 39 nm southeast
Grounds and structure that hold blackfin
Each reef and wreck below can be mapped as a waypoint, but chart layers are not for navigation. The depths listed are charted reef depths, and a coordinate marks a buoy, not every piece of structure on the site.
| Ground | Material | Depth (ft) | From Beaufort Inlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef | Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble, aircraft | 49 | 3.5 nm |
| 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 | ||
| Swansboro Hole | |||
| West Rock |
AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef
The reef holds the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble and aircraft. It sits in 49 ft, 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty.
AR-305 Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef
The main structure is the Aeolus, a 439-ft former cable ship, in 98 ft. The Brilliant Fishing NC guide places blackfin near this reef area.
AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef
AR-320 is a named reef near the port.
AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef
This reef sits off Bogue Inlet, with a buoy at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W. The coordinate marks the buoy.
U-352 German submarine wreck
The U-352 sits in 90 ft.
Big Rock
Big Rock is about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet, the farthest named ground on this list.
Swansboro Hole and West Rock
Swansboro Hole and West Rock are named grounds near the port.
How blackfin are fished here and who fishes for them
The FishingBooker Morehead City guide notes that blackfin are usually caught while trolling for yellowfin, so blackfin tuna fishing out of Morehead City is largely a yellowfin trip that turns up blackfin. For yellowfin and the other tunas, see our tuna fishing guides.
Two groups fish for them from this port:
- Owner-operators: anglers running their own boats out of Beaufort Inlet
- The charter fleet: Morehead City charter boats working the same grounds
FAQ
What’s the best month for blackfin tuna fishing out of Morehead City?
March, October and November are rated prime on the Pelagic calendar. The full season runs March through December, so blackfin are in the area outside those three months too. March is the spring option, and October and November are the fall option.
How far is Big Rock from Beaufort Inlet?
Big Rock is about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet, the farthest named ground in this guide. A run that far puts a boat well offshore, where federal Atlantic tuna rules apply alongside state rules, so check both regulations pages before leaving the dock.
What’s the closest structure to Beaufort Inlet?
AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef is the closest named structure, 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty, in 49 ft. It holds the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, along with rubble and aircraft, and is the shortest run on the list.
Do anglers target blackfin or catch them while yellowfin fishing?
According to the FishingBooker Morehead City guide, blackfin are usually caught while trolling for yellowfin. The typical trip is a yellowfin trip that turns up blackfin along the way, rather than a dedicated blackfin run.
How deep are the Aeolus and the U-352?
The Aeolus on AR-305 sits in 98 ft, and the U-352 sits in 90 ft. Both are charted depths, so treat them as reference points when you mark waypoints.
