Sailfish fishing out of Georgetown: when the fish are here
Sailfish out of Georgetown are a summer and fall fishery in Gulf Stream blue water, taken while trolling temperature breaks for mahi and wahoo. The Georgetown window runs from June through fall, and FishingBooker names July and August specifically for the deep. The sections below cover timing, where boats run, the named structure along the way, how the fish are worked, and who runs trips.
| Window | What is said | Source |
|---|---|---|
| June | Warmer Gulf Stream currents push sailfish closer to the coast | Local operator |
| July and August | A chance at sailfish in the deep | FishingBooker |
| Summer and fall | Peak | Local operator |
For the wider Southeast picture, see the regional sailfish page (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide).
Summer and fall peak
Winyah Adventures, the local operator, puts the sailfish peak in summer and fall. Plan trips across that whole stretch rather than around a single week.
The June push
According to the operator, warmer Gulf Stream currents push sailfish closer to the South Carolina coast in June, which makes June the early edge of the window.
July and August in the deep
FishingBooker’s Georgetown guide gives July and August a chance at sailfish in the deep. Read it as a timing signal, not a guarantee.
Where boats run from Georgetown
Boats leave through Winyah Bay and run to Gulf Stream blue water. The reefs listed below sit along the route and give depth references on the way out.
Gulf Stream blue water
Sailfish are targeted in Gulf Stream blue water, not on the nearshore structure boats pass on the way.
Temperature breaks
A temperature break is an edge where water temperature changes over a short distance. Local boats troll near offshore breaks. The breaks show on the OBS SST layer, and Chart Contours help place the reef depths below.
Named reefs on the way out
These structures serve as waypoints and depth references on the run out, and none of them is a sailfish spot. The South Carolina artificial reef locations list is the state’s own record of this structure.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hector Reef | 12 | |
| Georgetown Nearshore Reef | 30 | |
| Georgetown Reef | 35 | |
| North Inlet Reef | 45 | |
| C J Davidson Jr Reef | 53 | 147 degrees, 6.5 nm from channel buoy 2WB; one buoy marked |
| Cape Romain Reef | 55 | |
| Greenville Reef | 85 | |
| Vermilion Reef | 110 | Deepest named structure on this list |
Reading conditions
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC station NIWS1 at Oyster Landing in the North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve (33.349 N, 79.189 W). It reports inshore conditions and does not reflect the Gulf Stream. Before the run, check wind, wave height, and wave period as numbers in the official NOAA marine forecast. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How sailfish are fished here
Boats troll for sailfish near offshore temperature breaks while working mahi and wahoo. For rigging and details on the fish itself, see our sailfish page.
Trolling with mahi and wahoo
Sailfish come as part of a mahi and wahoo troll near the breaks. Boats don’t run a separate trip for them; one stretch of water is worked for all three species.
Catch and release
Sailfish are released on operator trips, which is the local norm.
Who fishes for sailfish out of Georgetown
Winyah Adventures offshore charters lists sailfish and runs trips with Captain Eric, a USCG-licensed captain. Fishing a trip with a licensed captain is one way to learn the sailfish fishery out of Georgetown before running it yourself. For other billfish captains, see our billfish captains page.
FAQ about sailfish fishing out of Georgetown
What are the best months for sailfish off Georgetown?
The operator puts the peak in summer and fall, with a June push closer to the coast. FishingBooker’s guide gives July and August a chance in the deep.
Where do Georgetown boats run for sailfish?
Boats run to Gulf Stream blue water and troll near offshore temperature breaks.
Do the nearshore reefs hold sailfish?
The named reefs are structure and depth references on the run out, from Hector Reef at 12 ft to Vermilion Reef at 110 ft. Sailfish are targeted in Gulf Stream blue water.
What is the nearest NOAA buoy?
NDBC station NIWS1 at Oyster Landing in the North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve (33.349 N, 79.189 W). It reports inshore conditions, so check the official marine forecast for offshore numbers.
Are sailfish released on local trips?
Yes. Sailfish are catch and release on operator trips.
