Swordfish across North Carolina
Creel rules, records and waters for swordfish.
- no creel limitdaily creel
- 504 lb. 8 oz.record
Photo of Benson: Gerry D, CC BY-SA 4.0
About North Carolina swordfish
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is listed among the state’s saltwater species. Anglers may keep no creel limit under NCDMF (coastal and joint fishing waters); size no size limit.
Off Morehead City gave up the state record of 504 lb. 8 oz. in 2022. NCDMF citation: Award for harvest of fish, 50 pounds or greater. Award for live release of fish of any size .
The swordfish creel
| Agency | Where | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCDMF | Coastal and joint fishing waters | no creel limit | no size limit | open all year unless closed by proclamation |
NCWRC 2026-27 digest and NCDMF proclamations. All North Carolina limits.
The swordfish record
| Category | Weight | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| all tackle by weight | 504 lb. 8 oz. | Off Morehead City | 2022 |
NCWRC and NCDMF state records. Angler names left out.
Fish that pair with swordfish
- Red drumsalt
- Spotted seatroutsalt
- Southern floundersalt
- Summer floundersalt
- Gulf floundersalt
- Weakfishsalt
- Black drumsalt
- Sheepsheadsalt
- Atlantic croakersalt
- Spotsalt
- Kingfishessalt
- Bluefishsalt
- Cobiasalt
- King mackerelsalt
Nearby water from Swordfish, in photos
Photo: IraEskins, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Abbeynball, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Before you target swordfish
What is the creel limit on swordfish?
no creel limit (Coastal and joint fishing waters), size no size limit.
What is the biggest swordfish caught in North Carolina?
504 lb. 8 oz. from Off Morehead City (2022).
Which lakes hold swordfish?
See above for where it lives.
Are swordfish on the stocking list?
It is not on the 2026 warmwater list.
What is swordfish confused with?
Scientific name Xiphias gladius.
When does the swordfish season run?
open all year unless closed by proclamation
Which North Carolina license do I need for swordfish?
Coastal waters take a Coastal Recreational Fishing License from age 16 ($20 resident, $40 nonresident).
Can I hire a trip that targets swordfish?
Every operator appears on the guides page.
Map out a swordfish trip
Each listed water has its own page.