Where boats run for vermilion out of Morehead City
Vermilion snapper fishing out of Morehead City is offshore bottom fishing, and boats make those trips out of Atlantic Beach. This page covers the port layout: how far the runs are, what sits on the bottom and at what depth, a buoy position, and how the fish are worked from here. For inlet and port orientation, start with Morehead City. For the wider coast, see the vermilion snapper fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide.
| Run | Distance from Beaufort Inlet | Where it ends |
|---|---|---|
| Short reef run | 3.5 nm | AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef |
| Long offshore run | About 39 nm southeast | Big Rock |
Offshore bottom trips from Atlantic Beach
Vermilion here are fished on the bottom. Boats clear Beaufort Inlet and head for named reefs, wrecks and offshore grounds.
Reef runs and the Big Rock run
AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef sits 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty. Big Rock lies about 39 nm southeast of the inlet. The two runs call for different decisions about boat, fuel and the length of your day.
Wind, wave height and period determine which one fits. Check the numbers in the official Newport/Morehead City marine forecast before you commit.
When to go
Timing and the depths vermilion hold are covered in the species guide, which is the place to settle when to run and how deep to fish.
Grounds and structure off Beaufort Inlet
The named grounds below run from the nearest reef out to the offshore grounds.
- AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef: Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble and aircraft, in 49 ft.
- 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, in 90 ft.
- AR-305 Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef: the Aeolus, a 439-ft former cable ship, in 98 ft.
- Big Rock
- Swansboro Hole
- West Rock
Positions on this page are for planning, not for navigation.
AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef
This is the nearest named reef on the list. The structure is the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, with rubble and aircraft around it. It is the short run, measured from the inlet at the Fort Macon jetty.
AR-320 and AR-330
AR-320 is the Clifton Moss Reef. AR-330 is the Howard Chapin Reef, off Bogue Inlet, and its buoy sits at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W.
U-352
The U-352 is a German submarine wreck in 90 ft. For an owner moving off the nearshore reefs, it is the first step into deeper wreck structure.
AR-305 CCSA Reef and the Aeolus
AR-305 is the Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef. Its structure is the Aeolus, a 439-ft former cable ship, in 98 ft, the deepest depth on this list.
Big Rock, Swansboro Hole and West Rock
Big Rock is the long run described above. Swansboro Hole and West Rock are named offshore grounds out of this port.
How vermilion are fished here
The local method is bottom fishing. The Capt. Stacy IV headboat is the local reference, working the bottom on offshore trips out of Atlantic Beach.
On your own boat the method is the same, and the grounds above are where you take it. Rigging and technique are covered in the reef fish guides.
- Fish the bottom, not the surface.
- Work named structure, not open water.
- Match the ground to the run: reefs for the short day, Big Rock for the long one.
Who fishes for vermilion out of this port
Two groups fish these grounds. Private boats run offshore bottom trips out of Atlantic Beach, and headboat anglers fish the bottom from the Capt. Stacy IV.
Anglers who have only fished from the headboat will find the private-boat version is the same bottom fishing, with your own run, your own anchor or drift, and the structure listed above.
| Who | How they fish |
|---|---|
| Private boats | Offshore bottom trips out of Atlantic Beach |
| Headboat anglers | Bottom fishing on the Capt. Stacy IV |
FAQ: vermilion snapper out of Morehead City
How far is AR-315 from Beaufort Inlet?
AR-315 is 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty. It sits in 49 ft, with the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, rubble and aircraft.
How deep is the Aeolus?
The Aeolus is in 98 ft. It is a 439-ft former cable ship on AR-305, the Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef.
How deep is the U-352?
The U-352 is in 90 ft. It is a German submarine wreck.
How far is Big Rock from Beaufort Inlet?
Big Rock is about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet. On a run that long, wind, wave height and period from the official marine forecast should decide whether you go.
Where is the AR-330 buoy?
The buoy on the Howard Chapin Reef sits at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W, off Bogue Inlet. Positions are for planning, not for navigation.
Where do I find the rules for vermilion out of Morehead City?
NCDMF sets the state rules. Check the state regulations page before you fish.
