Spanish mackerel fishing out of Swansboro takes place off the beach and over the nearshore reefs and ARs in about 20-40 ft of water. Boats also fish just inside Bogue Inlet, and anglers work from Bogue Inlet Pier. This guide covers the arrival window, where boats run in Onslow Bay, the named grounds with positions, the local methods, and the charters that list Spanish mackerel.
When Spanish mackerel are off Swansboro
Spanish arrive off Swansboro around late May to June. Plan around that window rather than a fixed date.
For how the species moves and feeds, see the Spanish mackerel species guide. For the regional picture, see Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Around late May/June |
| Depth band | About 20-40 ft |
| Where | Off the beach, nearshore reefs and ARs, inside Bogue Inlet, Bogue Inlet Pier |
Where boats run from Bogue Inlet
Boats run off the beach and over the nearshore reefs and ARs in about 20-40 ft. The fishing is in the Onslow Bay water outside Bogue Inlet, and the named grounds below are the marks to load first.
Just inside Bogue Inlet
Spanish are also fished just inside Bogue Inlet, which is a different setup from the ocean reefs and rocks.
Bogue Inlet Pier
Spanish are fished from Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. Keypost Rocks lie directly out from the end of the pier, which ties the shore option to the boat grounds below.
Grounds and structure off Swansboro
These are the named grounds Swansboro boats work for Spanish.
| Name | Type | Position or 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 | |
| AR-330 (Howard Chapin Reef) | Artificial reef | |
| 14 Buoy | Mark | |
| Station Rock | Rock | 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W. About 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet. |
| Keypost Rocks (KP1 and KP2) | Rock | Directly out from the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. |
| East Rock (Bogue) | Rock | 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W |
Artificial reefs
Four artificial reefs are on the list: AR-342 (Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef), AR-340 (J. Paul Tyndall Reef), AR-345 (Swansboro Rotary Club Reef) and AR-330 (Howard Chapin Reef).
Rocks and marks
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. 14 Buoy is the other named mark.
Chart layers and these positions are not for navigation.
How Spanish are fished out of Swansboro
Swansboro boats fish Spanish three ways: trolled spoons, cast lures and live bait. For general nearshore trolling and casting beyond this port, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
| Method | Setup | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Trolling | Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers | Covering water over the reefs and rocks |
| Casting | Jigs, Gotcha plugs, metal jigs | Surface-feeding fish |
| Live bait | Live bait | The bigger Spanish |
Trolling Clarkspoons behind planers
Locals troll Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers. A visiting boat can start with a Clarkspoon behind a #1 planer and run it through the 20-40 ft band over the reefs and rocks.
Casting to surface-feeding fish
When Spanish feed on the surface, boats cast jigs, Gotcha plugs and metal jigs to them. Keep a rod rigged for this, since surface schools don’t stay up long enough to rig after you spot them.
Live bait for bigger Spanish
Live bait is the local method for the bigger Spanish. It suits days when you want larger fish over numbers.
Who fishes Spanish mackerel out of Swansboro
These Swansboro charters list Spanish mackerel:
- Liquid Fire Sportfishing, Capt. Josh Henderson
- Nanny’s Revenge Fishing Charter, Capt. Shane Gentry, 26 ft Sea Fox Commander center console
- Sandbar Safari Charters, Capt. Rob Koraly
FAQ
When do Spanish mackerel show up off Swansboro?
Spanish arrive around late May to June. Treat it as an arrival window, not a fixed date.
How deep do boats fish for Spanish off Bogue Inlet?
About 20-40 ft. Boats fish off the beach and over the nearshore reefs and ARs in that band.
What are the coordinates for Station Rock?
Station Rock is at 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W, about 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet. These positions are not for navigation.
Can you catch Spanish mackerel from Bogue Inlet Pier?
Yes. Spanish are fished from Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier, and Keypost Rocks sit directly out from the end of the pier.
What lures work for Spanish mackerel fishing out of Swansboro?
Locals troll Clarkspoons behind #1 or #2 planers. They cast jigs, Gotcha plugs and metal jigs to surface-feeding fish. Live bait is the method for the bigger Spanish.
Which Swansboro charters fish for Spanish mackerel?
Liquid Fire Sportfishing (Capt. Josh Henderson), Nanny’s Revenge Fishing Charter (Capt. Shane Gentry) and Sandbar Safari Charters (Capt. Rob Koraly).
