When yellowfin are around Swansboro
Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Swansboro centers on the Gulf Stream, and the port’s calendar marks the fish with one event: the Memorial Day Bluewater tournament. Swansboro sits on the White Oak River, 3 miles north of Bogue Inlet, and boats reach the Atlantic through that inlet.
Late May is the planning anchor. The Atlantic Southeast guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide) covers the regional season.
| Planning point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing anchor | Memorial Day, late May |
| Event | Bluewater tournament |
| Where the fish are fished | Gulf Stream |
| Departure inlet | Bogue Inlet |
The Bluewater tournament
Yellowfin is a named gamefish in the Swansboro Rotary Bluewater Tournament, held over Memorial Day weekend in late May. It is the only fixed event on the port’s calendar that names the species. Check the tournament site for event details.
The run from Bogue Inlet
Boats leave through Bogue Inlet and run to the Gulf Stream.
| Leg | What it is |
|---|---|
| Departure | Bogue Inlet |
| Destination | Gulf Stream |
| Distance | Roughly 15 miles |
| Method on arrival | Trolling |
Distance
The Gulf Stream is a roughly 15 mile cruise from Bogue Inlet, per CrystalCoast.com’s Bogue Inlet page. To budget fuel, work out the round trip plus your time on the troll against your own boat’s burn rate.
Reading conditions
Before you run the inlet, check wind, wave height and wave period in the official National Weather Service marine forecast. Compare those numbers to what your boat and crew have handled before, and look at the forecast again at the dock.
Named grounds and structure near Swansboro
The table lists the named rocks and reefs in Swansboro’s waters. Yellowfin are fished in the Gulf Stream beyond them. Coordinates are for reference, not for navigation.
| Name | Type | Location or coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Keypost Rocks (KP1 and KP2) | Rock | Directly out from the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier |
| Station Rock | Rock | 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W. About 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet |
| East Rock (Bogue) | Rock | 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W |
| J. Paul Tyndall Reef (AR-340) | Artificial reef | |
| Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef (AR-342) | Artificial reef | |
| Swansboro Rotary Club Reef (AR-345) | Artificial reef | |
| Howard Chapin Reef (AR-330) | Artificial reef | |
| 14 Buoy | Named spot |
Rocks near the inlet
- Keypost Rocks (KP1 and KP2): Directly out from the end of Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier.
- Station Rock: About 2-3 miles from Bogue Inlet, at 34 35.27 N, 77 04.11 W.
- East Rock (Bogue): Marked at 34 35.33 N, 76 56.75 W.
Artificial reefs
The AR-numbered reefs belong to the state program, and the North Carolina artificial reef guide lists them.
- J. Paul Tyndall Reef (AR-340)
- Onslow Bay Sport Fishing Club Reef (AR-342)
- Swansboro Rotary Club Reef (AR-345)
- Howard Chapin Reef (AR-330)
14 Buoy
14 Buoy is a named local mark among the port’s grounds.
How yellowfin are fished from Swansboro
Trolling is the method used locally. The yellowfin tuna guide covers spreads and speeds.
Trolling
Local charters point to the same approach. Nanny’s Revenge and Liquid Fire both list tuna under Gulf Stream trips.
| Method | Where it is fished | Local evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Trolling | Gulf Stream | Nanny’s Revenge lists "Tuna" under Gulf Stream trips |
| Trolling | Gulf Stream | Liquid Fire lists "Tuna" under Gulf Stream trips |
Who fishes for yellowfin out of Swansboro
Charter crews and tournament crews are the two groups fishing for yellowfin from this port. If you are weighing a Swansboro charter against running your own boat, the names below are a place to start.
Charters
- Instigator Fishing & Diving Charters: Runs a 31′ Contender for fishing and freediving and lists yellowfin tuna.
- Nanny’s Revenge: Lists tuna under Gulf Stream trips.
- Liquid Fire: Lists tuna under Gulf Stream trips.
Tournament crews
The Memorial Day Bluewater tournament puts crews on yellowfin as a named gamefish in late May.
FAQ about yellowfin tuna fishing out of Swansboro
When should I plan a yellowfin trip out of Swansboro?
Plan around late May. Yellowfin is a named gamefish in the Memorial Day Bluewater tournament.
How far is the Gulf Stream from Bogue Inlet?
Roughly 15 miles, per CrystalCoast.com.
Do the reefs and rocks near Swansboro hold yellowfin?
Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Swansboro happens in the Gulf Stream. The AR reefs, Station Rock, East Rock, Keypost Rocks and 14 Buoy are named structure in the port’s waters, but nothing in the sources ties them to yellowfin.
How are yellowfin fished from Swansboro?
By trolling. Local charters list tuna under Gulf Stream trips.
Where can I read about other tuna and ports?
The tuna fishing guides cover other tuna species and ports.
