This page covers blue marlin fishing from Little River, the South Carolina port at the North Carolina line that runs out through Little River Inlet. Blue marlin are not documented from Little River specifically, so what follows applies what holds along the Carolina coast and ties it to this port’s inlet and water. The Atlantic Southeast blue marlin guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide) carries the regional detail, and the Little River port page covers the port itself.
When the species is around the port
Along the Carolinas, blue marlin follow the Gulf Stream and its edges through the summer. The Stream runs closest to land at Hatteras and swings far out off Georgia and South Carolina, so runs from this stretch are long. Crews here pick the day by where the Stream sits rather than by the calendar. No month for Little River is documented.
Where boats run
Little River Inlet is jettied and leads to the Intracoastal Waterway. Its bar channel changes continually, and the buoys are moved often to mark the best water, so they are not charted. A large sand bar sits near the channel, and the tide range runs about 5 feet, which may leave less water over the bar on a falling tide. Wrecks lie south and west of the entrance, so lining up on the buoy and holding between the jetty lights before turning may help keep a boat clear. Operators describe Gulf Stream trips from here running roughly 30 to 50 miles, so blue water is a full run out. Check conditions yourself before you run, and read the forecast before you commit to a long day.
Grounds and structure
The artificial reefs and wrecks offshore are not documented blue marlin grounds. Little River Offshore Reef, about 10 miles out, sits in roughly 50 to 60 feet. The General Sherman wreck lies about 7 miles out in 47 to 50 feet, and the BP-25 reef is nearly 30 miles offshore in 90 to 95 feet. None of them is documented as a billfish ground.
How blue marlin are fished out of the port
No Little River method is documented, so the regional approach applies. Trolling large skirted lures and rigged ballyhoo along the Stream edge is the standard spread. Teasers and dredges raise fish, and a pitch bait on a circle hook takes the fish once it switches off the teaser. Live baits such as ballyhoo or bonito, slow-trolled on a circle hook, suit a known spot. Keep the fish in the water and keep fight time short for release.
Frequently asked questions
When are blue marlin off Little River?
Summer is the regional window for blue marlin on this stretch, when the warm Stream edge sets up. No Little River month is documented, so watch the Stream’s position week to week.
Can I keep a blue marlin here?
Only under federal rules, with the right permit, and the fish must be reported. Most anglers release. Check the South Carolina and federal pages before you fish.
How do I tell a blue marlin from a white marlin?
Look at the fins. A blue marlin has a pointed dorsal and pectoral fins that fold flat against the body. A white marlin has rounded tips on both.
