When sailfish are off Morehead City
Sailfish season out of Morehead City runs July through October. For anyone running their own boat out of Beaufort Inlet, those four months are the window. Our Morehead City port page covers the inlet and the ramps.
Pelagic rates July through October as excellent, and Carolina Sportsman names Morehead as a good sailfish port and gives summer as the statewide peak. The Atlantic Southeast sailfish guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide) places that window in the wider picture of the coast. For how sailfish feed and move, see our sailfish species guide.
| Window | Source |
|---|---|
| July through October | Pelagic, rated excellent |
| Summer | Carolina Sportsman, statewide peak |
Where boats run
Boats run from Beaufort Inlet to the Gulf Stream edge and to the Big Rock and Swansboro Hole grounds. Every distance here is measured from the inlet.
Gulf Stream edge
The Gulf Stream edge is the main offshore destination for sailfish from this port, and most of the offshore trolling from Beaufort Inlet is aimed there.
Big Rock
Big Rock sits about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet.
Swansboro Hole
Swansboro Hole is one of the grounds boats run to for sailfish from this port.
Grounds and structure near Beaufort Inlet
The table lists named reefs, wrecks and rocks near the inlet. Where a distance is given, it is measured from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty. The NC DMF artificial reef guide lists the full state reef system.
| Name | Structure | Depth (ft) | Distance or position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| West Rock |
Positions are for planning only. Chart layers and listed positions are not for navigation, so use the official chart.
How sailfish are fished here and who fishes them
Trolling is the usual approach, as described in the local charter trip descriptions, and three Morehead City charters list sailfish. For more on the family of fish you meet out there, see our billfish guides.
Due South Sport Fishing
Due South lists sailfish, and the boat is named Due South. Details are on the Due South Sport Fishing site.
Breakday Charters
Breakday lists sailfish and is run by Captain Justin. The Breakday Charters website has the trip details.
Breakwater Charters
Breakwater lists sailfish from a 50-foot Buddy Davis custom Carolina sportfish, with Captain Ashley Forrest. The listing is on the Breakwater Charters Guidesly listing.
Swansboro Rotary Memorial Day Bluewater Tournament
This is the sailfish tournament out of this port, and it is usually held in May.
FAQ: sailfish out of Morehead City
When is the season for sailfish fishing out of Morehead City?
July through October. Pelagic rates those months excellent, and Carolina Sportsman gives summer as the statewide peak.
How far is Big Rock from Beaufort Inlet?
Big Rock is about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet. It is one of the named grounds boats run to for sailfish from this port.
Where do boats run for sailfish?
Boats run to the Gulf Stream edge, Big Rock and Swansboro Hole. Carolina Sportsman names Morehead as a good sailfish port.
How is sailfish done from this port?
Sailfish fishing out of Morehead City is usually done by trolling, as described on the local charter trip pages.
Which Morehead City charters list sailfish?
Due South Sport Fishing (boat Due South), Breakday Charters (Captain Justin) and Breakwater Charters (Captain Ashley Forrest, 50-foot Buddy Davis custom Carolina sportfish).
When is the Swansboro Rotary Memorial Day Bluewater Tournament?
It is usually held in May.
