Season and How Far Boats Run
Kings are around Savannah from June to September, according to FishingBooker’s Savannah guide. The main runs are about 15 to 16 miles east of Tybee Island at the Savannah Artificial Reef and J-Buoy. Georgia DNR’s nearshore reefs are closer in, at 4 to 9 nautical miles. Ramps, inlets and conditions are on the Savannah port page.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Season | June to September |
| Savannah Artificial Reef | About 15 to 16 miles east of Tybee Island |
| J-Buoy | About 15 to 16 miles east of Tybee Island |
| Georgia DNR nearshore reefs | 4 to 9 nm off the islands |
June to September
Plan your tow-in around that window. Kings outside those months fall under the coast-wide migration picture, covered in the Atlantic Southeast (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide) guide.
Savannah Artificial Reef and J-Buoy
Both sit about 15 to 16 miles east of Tybee Island, per FishingBooker, which makes this the standard run for kings out of Savannah. The Georgia DNR reefs lie inside it and are covered next.
Grounds and Structure off Savannah
The grounds below are listed from nearest to farthest, which helps when planning around fuel and day length. Depths and distances for the nearshore reefs come from Georgia DNR. The Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint shows depth around these sites, but chart layers are not for navigation.
Georgia DNR Nearshore Reefs
Georgia DNR’s four nearshore reefs off Savannah sit in 29 to 50 ft of water, 4 to 9 nm off the islands.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Distance and bearing |
|---|---|---|
| BSF | 29 | 4 nm east of Little Tybee Island |
| SAV | 40 | 6 nm southeast of Tybee Island |
| DUA | 45 | 7 nm east of Ossabaw Island |
| KC | 50 | 9 nm east of Wassaw Island |
Georgia DNR built BSF with a north-south trolling alley for king and Spanish mackerel, two of the region’s coastal and offshore gamefish. The alley fits the way locals troll, described below.
Savannah Artificial Reef and J-Buoy
Both sit about 15 to 16 miles east of Tybee Island, per FishingBooker, and are the main king runs from Tybee.
Savannah Snapper Banks
The Savannah Snapper Banks sit in 100 ft of water. Miss Judy’s trip list names them for kings.
North Hole and R-6 Tower
North Hole is about 60 miles east of Savannah, per FishingBooker. R-6 Tower is another named structure off Savannah.
How Kings Are Fished Here
Locals troll blue runners or cigar minnows, or run deep-diving plugs near artificial reefs and wrecks, per FishingBooker’s Savannah guide. Rigging, leaders and behavior are covered in the king mackerel guide.
| Method | Where it is used |
|---|---|
| Trolling blue runners | Reefs and wrecks |
| Trolling cigar minnows | Reefs and wrecks |
| Deep-diving plugs | Near artificial reefs and wrecks |
Blue Runners and Cigar Minnows
Trolling blue runners or cigar minnows is the local bait approach around reefs and wrecks.
Deep-Diving Plugs
Deep-diving plugs are run near the artificial reefs and wrecks.
Trolling the BSF Alley
The BSF reef’s north-south trolling alley was built for king and Spanish mackerel. It sits 4 nm east of Little Tybee Island in 29 ft of water, the shortest run of the named grounds.
Who Fishes Kings out of Savannah
Three Savannah charters list king mackerel:
- Miss Judy Charters
- Reel ‘Em N Deep Sea Fishing Charters
- Tybee Island Charters
Miss Judy Charters
The Miss Judy Charters trip list names the Savannah Snapper Banks for kings.
Reel ‘Em N Deep Sea Fishing Charters
The Reel Em N II is a 43 ft boat with 700+ HP, rigged for fishing and carrying up to 20 passengers. See Reel ‘Em N Deep Sea Fishing.
Tybee Island Charters
Tybee Island Charters lists kings. Its 21 ft Carolina Skiff is named the Flounder.
FAQ About King Mackerel Fishing out of Savannah
When is king mackerel season off Savannah?
June to September, per FishingBooker’s Savannah guide. The main runs are about 15 to 16 miles east of Tybee.
How far is the J-Buoy from Tybee Island?
About 15 to 16 miles east of Tybee Island, the same run as the Savannah Artificial Reef.
What is the BSF reef trolling alley?
A north-south trolling alley that Georgia DNR built into the BSF reef for king and Spanish mackerel. BSF sits in 29 ft of water, 4 nm east of Little Tybee Island.
Which artificial reef is closest to Tybee?
BSF, at 4 nm east of Little Tybee Island. SAV follows at 6 nm southeast of Tybee Island in 40 ft, per Georgia DNR.
What baits do locals troll for kings off Tybee?
Blue runners or cigar minnows, or deep-diving plugs near reefs and wrecks, per FishingBooker.
Which charters fish kings out of Savannah?
Miss Judy Charters lists the Savannah Snapper Banks for kings. Reel ‘Em N runs the Reel Em N II, 43 ft, up to 20 passengers. Tybee Island Charters runs a 21 ft Carolina Skiff, the Flounder.
