When Spanish mackerel show up off Edisto Beach
Spanish mackerel arrive off Edisto Beach when the water reaches about 65 degrees in spring, and boats find them on the nearshore reefs out to about 60 ft. Water temperature is the better guide than the calendar. For getting out of the port, see the Edisto Beach port page.
The 65-degree trigger
Biology and migration are covered in our Spanish mackerel guide. For the larger movement, see the run up the Southeast coast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
Before you go, check:
- The water temperature trend at the nearest buoy, and whether it is moving toward 65 degrees or away from it
- Wind, wave height and period from the buoy and forecast
Reading NDBC 41004
NDBC Station 41004 EDISTO sits 41 NM southeast of Charleston, SC, at 32.502N, 79.099W, in 35 m of water. Watch its water temperature trend toward 65 degrees.
The buoy reads water well offshore of the nearshore reefs, so it shows the trend and not the temperature on the reef itself.
For conditions, use the buoy’s wind, wave height and period numbers, then check the NWS Charleston marine forecast before you leave the dock.
Where boats run
Boats run the nearshore reefs out to about 60 ft, usually working them in this order:
- Start close. Begin at the CCA-Edisto 40′ Reef.
- Work outward. Move to the Edisto 60′ Reef.
- Treat the far end as a commitment. The Edisto Offshore Reef is the outer edge of the range.
A day’s run reaches well off the beach, which matters for the rules covered below.
Grounds and structure off Edisto Beach
Coordinates and depths are below. Reef buoys can move or go missing, so confirm what you see on the water. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Name | PA number | Depth | Marking / coordinates |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCA-Edisto 40′ Reef | PA-31 | Reef buoy 32 25.280N, 080 11.780W | |
| Edisto 60′ Reef | PA-30 | 60 ft | Reef buoy 32 21.411N, 080 05.155W |
| Edisto Offshore Reef | PA-36 | 50-72 ft | Unmarked |
| Edisto Banks (the ledge) | 150 ft on top to 800 ft on the drop |
CCA-Edisto 40′ Reef (PA-31)
The reef buoy sits at 32 25.280N, 080 11.780W. This is the closer reef and the first stop in the sequence.
Edisto 60′ Reef (PA-30)
The reef sits in 60 ft, with the reef buoy at 32 21.411N, 080 05.155W. It marks the outer edge of the about-60-ft range.
Edisto Offshore Reef (PA-36)
This reef is unmarked, in 50-72 ft, and 23.5 miles from Stono Inlet. With no buoy, you run it on your own waypoint.
A-Can off the South Edisto River mouth
The A-Can is a local mark off the South Edisto River mouth, and it is worth adding to your list of places to check near the river.
Nearshore reefs in general
The nearshore reefs sit in about 30 ft and deeper, and are part of the run out to about 60 ft.
Edisto Banks (the ledge)
The ledge runs 150 ft on top to 800 ft on the drop, a steep drop-off running north-south for about 20 miles. It is deeper structure beyond the about-60-ft range where Spanish mackerel are found, so it is not a Spanish mackerel mark.
How Spanish mackerel are fished here
The local method is to find fish, get close and cast.
Chasing working fish and casting small spoons
Run up on the edge of working fish and cast small spoons at them.
Who runs trips
Two operators list Spanish mackerel:
- Capt. Kevin Latham, Second Wind Charters on FishingBooker. A 26′ Sea Hunt 265 Ultra center console, up to 6.
- Fontaine Charters trips page. Lists Spanish mackerel among its offshore targets.
If you also fish other water from this port, see other nearshore and offshore gamefish.
FAQ: Spanish mackerel off Edisto Beach
When do Spanish mackerel arrive at Edisto Beach?
Around 65-degree water in spring. Watch the NDBC 41004 trend toward that mark.
How deep do Spanish mackerel fish off Edisto?
On the nearshore reefs, out to about 60 ft.
Where is the Edisto 60′ Reef?
PA-30 sits in 60 ft, with the reef buoy at 32 21.411N, 080 05.155W.
Is the Edisto Offshore Reef marked?
No. PA-36 is unmarked, in 50-72 ft, and 23.5 miles from Stono Inlet.
Which charters list Spanish mackerel at Edisto Beach?
Second Wind Charters, with Capt. Kevin Latham on a 26′ Sea Hunt 265 Ultra center console for up to 6, lists them. Fontaine Charters lists them as an offshore target.
Which buoy shows water temperature off Edisto?
NDBC Station 41004 EDISTO, 41 NM southeast of Charleston. It shows the offshore trend, not reef-top water.
