Swordfish Sportfishing

The Fishing | The Seasons

The Fishing

The Swordfish (formerly Marlin Fever built by Bobby Sullivan and Paul Mann) sails from the world famous Oregon Inlet Fishing Center in Nags Head, NC from mid-May through December and from Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico from January to May when sailfishing is at its best. The Outer Banks, particularly the area of Oregon Inlet, has long been regarded as one of the best fishing destinations in the world. We enjoy sportfishing year-round. We specialize in taking a group of 6 or less to the offshore waters of the gulf-stream. Rate for a full day offshore fishing is only $1,400 (cash), $1,440 (credit card). We depart from the dock approximately 5:15 AM and return about the same time in the evening. Total time fishing is about eight hours.

The gulf-stream is a great ocean current which flows north and passes closer to Oregon Inlet than any other point north of Palm Beach, FL. Another current flows south along the local coast inshore of the gulf-stream. It is the meeting of these two currents that helps to generate some of the best offshore fishing to be found anywhere. As the currents flow across the best bottom configuration on the coast many upwellings of nutrient rich waters are created and in turn attract bait that large fish thrive on.

Depending on the time of year you go fishing, you can expect to hook up with big blue marlin, giant bluefin tuna, large yellowfin tuna, dolphin (mahi-mahi), wahoo, king mackerel, white marlin, sailfish and more. The sportfishing for yellowfin tuna, white marlin and giant blue marlin ranks at the top of any angler's list as some of the very best anywhere in the world. The short run to the gulf-stream allows our anglers a full day of fishing for these great gamefish and its very common for our party to release multitudes of fish or fill the box daily with limits of tuna and dolphin - whatever is desired.

Aboard the Swordfish, party participation and full involvement in all aspects of fishing is encouraged. The crew will explain everything to you and allow you to help in the rigging up, setting baits and hooking and landing of the fish. We want you to have fun and enjoy the full experience of a deep sea fishing charter and we welcome the opportunity to get you involved. We cater to families with children and encourage you to fish with us.

The Seasons

With the numerous species of fish that frequent the Outer Banks, we can offer year-round fishing. Check availability.

JAN-MAY: Sailfish in Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico.
MAY-JUN: Yellowfin and the occasional Big-Eye Tuna.
MID JUN-SEP: Dolphin, Billfish and Wahoo
OCT-DEC: The Yellowfin Tuna are back

Residents of the Outer Banks are blessed with a mild climate year-round and the fish must know it too because no matter what time of year you visit you can rest assured that the fish will be waiting for you. The yellowfin tuna are available year-round although some months produce better than others. Our usually mild and pleasant spring season sees the arrival of the acrobatic dolphin (mahi-mahi) along the edge of the gulf-stream and we regularly catch limits of these tasty fish through early October.

The warm waters of spring also see the arrival of the first billfish of the year including blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish. In August, the white marlin show up to attack our baits with fury and double digits catches per day are common throughout September and October when waters start to gradually cool down and the whites migrate out to be replaced by even larger schools of tuna and king mackerel.

Whatever your preference in fishing is you can find it here. Enjoy great fishing and mild climate with warm summers, a cool pleasant spring and fall and a normally mild winter. FISHING AT ITS BEST ANY SEASON! And we're here to help you enjoy the fun. Study the chart above and decide when you want to experience offshore fishing at its finest.