When and where boats run for golden tilefish from Murrells Inlet
Golden tilefish fishing out of Murrells Inlet means a 70 to 80 mile run to the shelf edge, where boats drop in about 400 to 900 ft of water. The Murrells Inlet port guide covers the inlet itself; this page covers the run offshore from it. Most of the Grand Strand’s offshore fleet fishes the reefs and ledges closer in, and the goldens are well beyond them. The wider picture is in the golden tilefish fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast region guide.
Season
Trips run seasonally, weather permitting. On a 70 to 80 mile run, the go or no-go call comes from wind, wave height and period in the official marine forecast.
The run to the shelf edge
The trip stacks up in four stages:
- Nearshore artificial reefs, 23 to 95 ft.
- The wahoo and blackfin ledges, 140 to 250 ft.
- The Winyah Scarp area, about 60 miles out.
- The shelf edge, 70 to 80 miles out, about 400 to 900 ft.
Grounds and structure off Murrells Inlet
The reefs and ledges lie along the way out. The goldens are on the shelf edge.
| Ground | Depth | Marking / position |
|---|---|---|
| Paradise Reef | 30 to 35 ft | 2 buoys |
| Ten Mile Reef | 34 to 45 ft | 2 buoys |
| Pawley’s Island Reef | 23 to 35 ft | 1 buoy; 177 degrees, 5.5 nm from the south jetty |
| Bill Perry Reef | 65 ft | 1 buoy |
| BP-25 Reef | 90 to 95 ft | Unmarked 160 ft ship |
| Will Goldfinch Reef | – | 175 ft ship (YO-225), 33 17.005 N / 078 45.372 W |
| Winyah Scarp area | – | About 60 miles out |
| Wahoo and blackfin ledges | 140 to 250 ft | – |
| Shelf edge | About 400 to 900 ft | 70 to 80 miles out |
Paradise Reef
Paradise Reef sits in 30 to 35 ft and is marked by two buoys. H.P. Springs Jr. and other add-on reefs are included with it.
Ten Mile Reef
Ten Mile Reef sits in 34 to 45 ft and is marked by two buoys.
Pawley’s Island Reef
Pawley’s Island Reef sits in 23 to 35 ft. One buoy marks it, on a bearing of 177 degrees, 5.5 nm from the south jetty.
Bill Perry Reef
Bill Perry Reef sits in 65 ft and is marked by one buoy.
BP-25 Reef
BP-25 Reef sits in 90 to 95 ft. It is an unmarked 160 ft ship.
Will Goldfinch Reef
Will Goldfinch Reef is a 175 ft ship, YO-225, at 33 17.005 N / 078 45.372 W.
Winyah Scarp area
The Winyah Scarp area is a ledge about 60 miles out, on the route to the shelf edge.
Nearshore ledges
The wahoo and blackfin ledges run 140 to 250 ft. The shelf edge lies beyond them.
Shelf edge soft bottom
Goldens are fished on soft bottom inside the 400 to 900 ft band, 70 to 80 miles out. Knowing the band helps decide where to drop, though it doesn’t guarantee fish. You can read the 400 to 900 ft band on Chart Contours. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How golden tilefish are fished here
The local method is a deep drop on electric reels. The habitat determines where you drop, and the depth determines the gear.
Fishing the burrows in soft bottom
Goldens burrow in the soft bottom, so boats drop on mud inside the depth band rather than on hard structure. The golden tilefish species guide covers the biology.
Deep drop on electric reels
Drops run 400 to 800 ft down, and boats use electric reels for that depth. Rigging and gear detail is in our deep-drop guides.
Who fishes for golden tilefish out of Murrells Inlet
Private owner-operators make the 70 to 80 mile run with electric reels. Myrtle Beach Sport Fishing lists golden tilefish and describes two boats. Booking a charter that lists the species is one way to see the method before committing your own boat to the run.
FAQ: golden tilefish from Murrells Inlet
How far offshore are golden tilefish from Murrells Inlet?
70 to 80 miles. Golden tilefish fishing out of Murrells Inlet takes place at the shelf edge, in about 400 to 900 ft of water.
What depth do you fish for golden tilefish here?
About 400 to 900 ft. Drops run 400 to 800 ft down.
When is golden tilefish season out of Murrells Inlet?
Trips run seasonally, weather permitting. The go or no-go call comes from wind, wave height and period in the official marine forecast.
What reel do I need for golden tilefish?
Drops of 400 to 800 ft call for an electric reel, and boats here use them.
Do the nearshore reefs hold golden tilefish?
The reefs run 23 to 95 ft and the ledges run 140 to 250 ft. Goldens are fished on soft bottom at the shelf edge, 70 to 80 miles out.
Is there a charter out of Murrells Inlet that lists golden tilefish?
Yes. Myrtle Beach Sport Fishing lists golden tilefish and describes two boats.
