When triggerfish are around Swansboro
Gray triggerfish fishing out of Swansboro is offshore bottom fishing in about 120-220 ft of water, reached through Bogue Inlet. Boats run into Onslow Bay and set up on hard bottom in that band. This page covers where to look from one port and makes no promise about catching fish. For the wider coast, see the gray triggerfish fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide.
Season here
Local reports name triggerfish on the offshore bottom grounds but don’t specify gray, so treat the local picture as triggerfish on the deep bottom. For the general calendar and biology, use the gray triggerfish guide.
Depth band, 120-220 ft
Boats run for triggerfish in about 120-220 ft. The Chart Contours layer marks the 120 ft contour, which shows the inshore edge of the band. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Where boats run out of Bogue Inlet
Bogue Inlet is the way to the ocean from Swansboro and Emerald Isle. Past the inlet you are in Onslow Bay, and the triggerfish bottom sits well offshore of the named structure near the port.
Getting out through Bogue Inlet
Read wind, wave height and period from the official NWS marine forecast before the run, and check the numbers again on the morning you go.
The offshore bottom
The triggerfish water is the 120-220 ft band. The named grounds below are structure near the port that shows up on charts and in local reports. Keep the two separate when you plan a run, and fish each for what it is.
Named grounds and structure near Swansboro
These are the named grounds near the port. The state’s North Carolina artificial reef program maintains the numbered reefs, and its reef guide is the place to confirm each site’s details.
Artificial reefs: AR-330, AR-340, AR-342, AR-345
Four numbered reefs sit near the port:
- Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef (AR-342)
- J. Paul Tyndall Reef (AR-340)
- Swansboro Rotary Club Reef (AR-345)
- Howard Chapin Reef (AR-330)
Station Rock, Keypost Rocks, East Rock
Station Rock sits at 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W, about 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet. Keypost Rocks (KP1 and KP2) lie directly out from the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. East Rock (Bogue) sits at 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W. Coordinates and chart layers are not for navigation.
14 Buoy
14 Buoy is named structure near the port.
| Name | Type | Location note |
|---|---|---|
| Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef (AR-342) | Artificial reef | |
| J. Paul Tyndall Reef (AR-340) | Artificial reef | |
| Swansboro Rotary Club Reef (AR-345) | Artificial reef | |
| Howard Chapin Reef (AR-330) | Artificial reef | |
| 14 Buoy | Named structure | |
| Station Rock | Rock | 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W; about 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet |
| Keypost Rocks (KP1, KP2) | Rocks | Directly out from the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier |
| East Rock (Bogue) | Rock | 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W |
How triggerfish are fished locally
The local method is offshore bottom fishing on hard structure in the 120-220 ft band. Nancy Lee and Nanny’s Revenge also list triggerfish among their targets. For rigs, weights and drift-versus-anchor technique that carry across ports, use the reef fish guides. Most of the work is finding the bottom and holding the boat over it, so a good plot of the structure matters more than any single rig choice.
Who fishes them out of Swansboro
Local operators that list triggerfish:
- Instigator Fishing & Diving Charters: 31′ Contender for fishing and freediving.
- Nancy Lee Fishing Charters: Nancy Lee III, a 43 ft custom boat.
- Nanny’s Revenge Fishing Charter: Capt. Shane Gentry; 26 ft Sea Fox Commander center console.
Other captains post triggerfish catches in the Swansboro/Emerald Isle Fisherman’s Post reports.
FAQ for gray triggerfish fishing out of Swansboro
How deep do boats fish for triggerfish out of Swansboro?
About 120-220 ft. The method is offshore bottom fishing, reached through Bogue Inlet.
What named structure is near Swansboro?
Four numbered reefs: Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef (AR-342), J. Paul Tyndall Reef (AR-340), Swansboro Rotary Club Reef (AR-345) and Howard Chapin Reef (AR-330). Also 14 Buoy, Station Rock, Keypost Rocks and East Rock.
Where are Station Rock and East Rock?
Station Rock is at 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W, about 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet. East Rock (Bogue) is at 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W.
Are there charters out of Swansboro that list triggerfish?
Instigator Fishing & Diving Charters, Nancy Lee Fishing Charters and Nanny’s Revenge Fishing Charter list triggerfish. Swansboro/Emerald Isle captains also post catches in Fisherman’s Post.
Where are the triggerfish rules for Swansboro?
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries sets them. Check the agency’s current rules before fishing.
