White marlin fishing out of Swansboro is an offshore game, and the fish run deep in summer. Boats work billfish trolling on the run out of Bogue Inlet. This page covers timing, the fleet’s run, and the named marks off Swansboro, and it relies on the white marlin species guide for details on the fish itself.
When white marlin are around Swansboro
Summer is the white marlin window. Because the fish run deep in summer, white marlin off Swansboro are an offshore target rather than a nearshore one. The marks close to Bogue Inlet are for the run out, and the trolling happens farther off. For timing across the wider coast, see white marlin timing along the Atlantic Southeast (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide).
Where Swansboro boats run and who fishes
Swansboro boats run offshore, as part of the Bluewater tournament run out of Morehead City. The two ports share the same offshore water. The crews who fish this run are the boats working the Swansboro Bluewater tournament from Morehead City. If you run your own boat out of Bogue Inlet, you are fishing the same offshore water as that fleet.
Named grounds and structure near Swansboro
These named marks sit near the port and on the way offshore. They are reference points for the run, not a claim about where white marlin hold. Rows run from the inlet outward.
| Name | Designation | Position or reference |
|---|---|---|
| Keypost Rocks | KP1 and KP2 | Directly out from the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier |
| Station Rock | 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W. About 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet | |
| East Rock (Bogue) | 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W | |
| 14 Buoy | ||
| 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 |
You can load the listed coordinates as waypoints. The coordinates and chart layers are not for navigation.
Artificial reefs: AR-342, AR-340, AR-345, AR-330
Four artificial reefs sit in the local grounds:
- Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef (AR-342)
- J. Paul Tyndall Reef (AR-340)
- Swansboro Rotary Club Reef (AR-345)
- AR-330 (Howard Chapin Reef)
Official names and designations are in the state artificial reef guide.
Station Rock and Keypost Rocks
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 and 14 Buoy
East Rock (Bogue) is at 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W. 14 Buoy is a local mark on the way out.
How white marlin are fished out of Swansboro
The local method is billfish trolling, worked deep in summer. The trolling pattern and the marks above can help you decide where to start, but they don’t guarantee a fish.
Check wind, wave height and period against the NWS marine forecast before you run.
FAQ about white marlin fishing out of Swansboro
When do white marlin show up off Swansboro?
In summer, when the fish run deep and boats run offshore.
How far do Swansboro boats run for white marlin?
Offshore, as part of the Bluewater tournament run out of Morehead City. That is the pattern for white marlin fishing out of Swansboro.
What structure is near Bogue Inlet?
- Keypost Rocks (KP1 and KP2), off the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier.
- Station Rock, about 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet.
- East Rock, 14 Buoy and the AR-342, AR-340, AR-345 and AR-330 reefs.
How are white marlin fished here?
Billfish trolling, worked deep in summer.
Where are the rules?
NOAA Fisheries sets the federal billfish rules and the state sets the state rules. See the Regulations section above and check both before you fish.
