When gray triggerfish are around Wrightsville Beach
Gray triggerfish fishing out of Wrightsville Beach runs year round. May, June and October are the strongest months for full-day bottom trips. Triggerfish sit on structure in any month, so those three months are the ones to commit to a long day on the bottom. For the wider coast, see the gray triggerfish fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide.
The season mainly affects how long a trip is worth taking. A short run to the jetties or a nearshore reef works in any month, while a full day on deeper bottom pays off most in May, June and October.
Where boats run and the structure that holds them
Triggerfish structure here runs from the Masonboro Inlet jetties out to Gulf Stream bottom about 55 miles offshore. The jetties and named reefs are the closer structure, and the 55-mile bottom is the deep option. Other bottom species share this structure and are covered in our reef fish guides.
Masonboro Inlet jetties
The north and south jetties at Masonboro Inlet are the nearest named structure to the port. They sit at the inlet itself, which makes them the shortest run on this page.
Nearshore artificial reefs
Three of the four nearshore reefs below have published coordinates, and AR-372 has a published depth of 49 ft.
| Ground | Type | Depth | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR-372 | reef | 49 ft | |
| AR-370 Meares Harris Reef | reef | 34 10.467 N, 77 45.067 W | |
| AR-364 Billy Murrell Reef | reef | 34 14.833 N, 77 42.833 W | |
| AR-378 Phillip Wolfe Reef | reef | 34 00.633 N, 77 50.683 W |
Use these positions for planning only. Chart layers are not for navigation, so cross-check against NOAA official nautical charts before you run.
Other named grounds
Schoolhouse, Dredge Wreck Reef and 10-Mile Boxcars are also named structure near Wrightsville Beach.
Gulf Stream bottom at about 55 miles
The deep option is Gulf Stream bottom about 55 miles out, which is the range of Southern Run’s 12-hour bottom trip. It is a full-day commitment, which fits the May, June and October window.
Reading the buoy (NDBC 41038)
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC 41038, Wrightsville Beach Nearshore (ILM2), at 34.141 N 77.715 W in 18 m of water. Check its readings before you commit to a run, and compare them with the official NWS Wilmington marine forecast.
How triggerfish are fished here
Triggerfish here are caught bottom fishing with heavy tackle on structure, whether on the jetties, the AR reefs or the Gulf Stream bottom. Rigs, baits and the fish’s habits are in our gray triggerfish guide.
Who fishes for them out of this port
Three Wrightsville Beach charters list gray triggerfish.
Southern Run Fishing Charters
Captain Ben Morris runs the 12-hour bottom trip to Gulf Stream bottom about 55 miles out. Find the trip at Southern Run Fishing Charters.
Whipsaw Fishing Charters
Captain Robbie Wolfe runs Whipsaw Fishing Charters, which lists gray triggerfish.
Ocean Stinger Charters
Captain Jesse Gawlik runs Ocean Stinger Charters, which lists gray triggerfish.
FAQ about gray triggerfish fishing out of Wrightsville Beach
What are the best months for gray triggerfish out of Wrightsville Beach?
May, June and October are the strongest months for full-day bottom trips.
Are triggerfish here year round?
Yes. The May, June and October window matters for deciding whether to commit to a full day of bottom fishing.
How far do boats run for triggerfish?
Closer structure includes the Masonboro Inlet jetties and the AR reefs. The deep option is Gulf Stream bottom about 55 miles out, the range of Southern Run’s 12-hour bottom trip.
Which nearby reefs have published coordinates?
AR-370 Meares Harris Reef is at 34 10.467 N, 77 45.067 W. AR-364 Billy Murrell Reef is at 34 14.833 N, 77 42.833 W. AR-378 Phillip Wolfe Reef is at 34 00.633 N, 77 50.683 W. AR-372 has a published depth of 49 ft.
Which buoy should I watch?
NDBC 41038, Wrightsville Beach Nearshore (ILM2), at 34.141 N 77.715 W in 18 m of water. Read it alongside the official marine forecast.
Who runs triggerfish trips out of Wrightsville Beach?
Southern Run Fishing Charters (Captain Ben Morris), Whipsaw Fishing Charters (Captain Robbie Wolfe) and Ocean Stinger Charters (Captain Jesse Gawlik) list gray triggerfish.
