When amberjack are around Murrells Inlet
Greater amberjack fishing out of Murrells Inlet happens on the shelf and beyond, with about 100 ft as the working depth. Marlin Quay lists amberjack among its target species "depending on the season." For biology and the general picture, read the greater amberjack species guide. This page covers what is specific to this port. For the wider coast, see the greater amberjack fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide.
How far boats run
Crazy Sister’s continental shelf trip runs 20 to 40 miles and lists amberjack among its targets. Past that, the runs stack up in bands:
- 20 to 40 miles: the continental shelf trip on Crazy Sister.
- About 50 miles: where the 129 lb record fish came, in 100 ft of water.
- About 60 miles: the Winyah Scarp area.
- Gulf Stream: Crazy Sister’s 12-hour jigging trip, which targets amberjack and almaco jack.
Each step out of the inlet adds run time, so plan the day around the band you are fishing rather than the longest one on the list.
Grounds and structure that hold them
Start with 90 to 95 ft. That is the depth of BP-25 Reef, an unmarked 160′ ship, and it is the closest named structure to the roughly 100 ft depth that matters here. The 129 lb record fish came from 100 ft, so keep both numbers in mind when you pick a spot.
| Name | Depth | Marking/position |
|---|---|---|
| Pawley’s Island Reef | 23-35 ft | 1 buoy; 177 degrees, 5.5 nm from the south jetty |
| Paradise Reef (with H.P. Springs Jr. and other add-on reefs) | 30-35 ft | 2 buoys |
| Ten Mile Reef | 34-45 ft | 2 buoys |
| Bill Perry Reef | 65 ft | 1 buoy |
| BP-25 Reef | 90-95 ft | Unmarked 160′ ship |
| Will Goldfinch Reef | – | 175′ ship (YO-225), 33 17.005 N / 078 45.372 W |
| Nearshore ledges (wahoo and blackfin ledges) | 140-250 ft | Ledge |
| Winyah Scarp area | – | Ledge, about 60 miles out |
Chart layers, including Chart Contours, are not for navigation. Use your official charts and your plotter.
Nearshore reefs
Three reefs sit closest to the inlet. Pawley’s Island Reef lies in 23-35 ft, with one buoy, on a bearing of 177 degrees at 5.5 nm from the south jetty. Paradise Reef, with H.P. Springs Jr. and other add-on reefs, sits in 30-35 ft and is marked by two buoys. Ten Mile Reef runs 34-45 ft, also with two buoys.
Deeper reefs and wrecks
Bill Perry Reef sits at 65 ft with one buoy. BP-25 is an unmarked 160′ ship at 90-95 ft, so you find it by its numbers. Will Goldfinch Reef is the 175′ ship YO-225 at 33 17.005 N / 078 45.372 W. For the wider picture of fishing structure like this, see the reef fish guides.
Ledges and the Winyah Scarp
The nearshore ledges, known as the wahoo and blackfin ledges, run 140-250 ft. The Winyah Scarp is a ledge area about 60 miles out, and the record crew trolled there before the bite that produced the record fish.
How amberjack are fished here
The record fish took about an hour on 80 lb braid, which indicates the weight class of tackle this fishery calls for. Two methods are used locally.
Bottom fishing
Bottom fishing here uses a two-hook rig, the method listed for fish on reef and wreck structure.
Vertical and slow-pitch jigging
Vertical and slow-pitch jigging are fished on Crazy Sister’s 12-hour Gulf Stream jigging trip, which targets amberjack and almaco jack.
The record fish
The record came about 50 miles out, in 100 ft of water, after a Winyah Scarp troll. The crew moved off the troll and fished a hooked snapper, and the fish ate it. The fight took about an hour on a Penn Fathom 40 loaded with 80 lb braid. The angler’s own account is in the 129 lb record amberjack story.
Who fishes for them out of Murrells Inlet
These operators list greater amberjack out of this port:
- Marlin Quay Marina: the fleet menu lists Carolina Fly and Grand Slam.
- Crazy Sister Marina: head boats New Inlet Princess and Crazy Sister (110 ft). It runs the 20 to 40 mile shelf trip and the 12-hour Gulf Stream jigging trip. See Crazy Sister’s head boat trips.
- Salty Hooker Fishing Charters: lists greater amberjack and has a captains page.
- Reel Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters: Captain Matt runs a 32′ center console, departing Murrells Inlet Marina.
- Myrtle Beach Sport Fishing boats: two boats are described on the site.
FAQ: Greater amberjack fishing out of Murrells Inlet
How far do boats run for amberjack out of Murrells Inlet?
Crazy Sister’s shelf trip runs 20 to 40 miles. The record fish came about 50 miles out, the Winyah Scarp is about 60 miles out, and the 12-hour jigging trip goes to the Gulf Stream.
What depth do amberjack hold at off Murrells Inlet?
About 100 ft. The record fish came in 100 ft of water, and BP-25 Reef sits at 90-95 ft.
Which structure should I look at first?
Start with BP-25 Reef, an unmarked 160′ ship at 90-95 ft. Next is Will Goldfinch Reef, the 175′ YO-225 at 33 17.005 N / 078 45.372 W. Then look at the nearshore ledges at 140-250 ft and the Winyah Scarp.
How are amberjack fished here?
Bottom fishing with a two-hook rig. Vertical and slow-pitch jigging are fished on Crazy Sister’s Gulf Stream trip, which also targets almaco jack.
Where did the 129 lb record amberjack come from?
About 50 miles out in 100 ft of water, after a Winyah Scarp troll. It ate a hooked snapper and took about an hour on 80 lb braid with a Penn Fathom 40.
