Blackfin tuna fishing out of Little River means a run to the offshore ledges, which the FishingBooker Little River guide puts at 20 to 30 miles out. Boats work those ledges by high-speed trolling and pulling ballyhoo.
When blackfin are around off Little River
Timing off this port follows the water. The blackfin tuna species guide and the Southeast Atlantic picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide) carry the general calendar, so this page sticks to the port.
Reading the water
Check sea surface temperature on the ledges before you commit to the run. The OBS SST layer shows the temperature edges. Cloud cover blocks satellite passes and leaves gaps in that picture, so a clouded day gives you less to go on. The layer helps you decide where to look; it doesn’t guarantee fish.
Where boats run from Little River Inlet
All distances here are measured from Little River Inlet. Blackfin water sits on the offshore ledges, past the reefs and wrecks that dot the nearshore bottom. Enter the names below as waypoints.
- Blackjack: a named offshore fishing area that holds blackfin and mahi.
- Georgetown Hole: a named offshore fishing area boats run to for blackfin.
- Offshore ledges: the structure that holds the fish, 20 to 30 miles out.
The 20 to 30 mile run
That distance is the run to blackfin water. The nearshore structure in the next section sits inside it and isn’t where the blackfin are. Before you go, read the official NWS marine forecast for wind, wave height and period, and decide from the numbers.
Blackjack
Blackjack holds blackfin and mahi, so expect mixed catches there.
Georgetown Hole
Georgetown Hole is among the grounds boats run to for blackfin.
Grounds and structure off Little River
These reefs and wrecks are structure on the way out. The blackfin grounds are the offshore ledges. The table runs outward from the inlet, and a dash marks a value we don’t list.
| Name | Type or ID | Depth (ft) | Position note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninety Ninety Rock | – | – | Within a few miles of land |
| Little River Reef | Reef | 25 | – |
| Three Mile Reef | Reef | – | – |
| General Sherman Wreck | Wreck | 48 | – |
| Little River Offshore Reef | PA-02 | 55 | 156 degrees, 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet |
| Ron McManus Memorial Reef | PA-04 | – | – |
| BP-25 Reef | BP-25 | 92 | – |
| Blackjack | Named offshore fishing area | – | Blackfin and mahi |
The ledges show on the Chart Contours layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Nearshore structure on the way out
Ninety Ninety Rock sits within a few miles of land. Little River Reef lies in 25 ft, and General Sherman Wreck in 48 ft. Three Mile Reef rounds out the set. All of it is structure inside the run, not a blackfin spot.
PA-02 and PA-04
PA-02, Little River Offshore Reef, is a waypoint on the 156-degree line, 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet, in 55 ft. PA-04 is Ron McManus Memorial Reef.
BP-25
BP-25 Reef sits in 92 ft, the deepest named structure in this set.
How blackfin are fished locally
Two methods define the local approach. For trolling spreads aimed at other tunas, see our tuna fishing guides.
High-speed trolling
High-speed trolling is a local method for blackfin on the offshore ledges.
Pulling ballyhoo over the ledges
Locals pull ballyhoo over the offshore ledges.
Who fishes for blackfin out of Little River
Charter operators list blackfin among their offshore trips from this port.
Voyager Fishing Charters
Voyager Fishing Charters (Voyager Deep Sea Fishing & Dolphin Cruises) lists blackfin tuna. Its Super Voyager III trips and the Continental Shelf trip are the two to look at.
FAQ: blackfin tuna out of Little River
How far offshore is blackfin tuna fishing out of Little River?
Blackfin water is the offshore ledges, 20 to 30 miles out. The nearshore reefs sit inside that run.
Where do Little River boats run for blackfin?
Boats run to the offshore ledges and the named areas Blackjack and Georgetown Hole.
What methods are used for blackfin off Little River?
High-speed trolling and pulling ballyhoo over the offshore ledges.
Does Blackjack hold anything besides blackfin?
Yes. Blackjack is a named offshore fishing area with blackfin and mahi.
Is there a Grand Strand charter out of Little River that lists blackfin?
Voyager Fishing Charters lists blackfin tuna on its Super Voyager III and Continental Shelf trips.
