Spanish mackerel fishing out of Golden Isles is nearshore reef fishing. Operators list two season windows, June to November and May to August, and boats run to nearshore reefs 10 to 15 miles out.
When Spanish mackerel are off the Golden Isles
St. Simons Fishing Center’s offshore list gives June to November. A second listing gives May to August. Plan around the overlap, or check with the operator you plan to fish with.
- June to November (St. Simons Fishing Center offshore list)
- May to August (second listing)
The Spanish mackerel species guide covers the fish itself, and the Atlantic Southeast guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide) covers the coast-wide picture.
How far boats run
Distance determines how long the day runs and what you can reach. The table shows what the operators list.
| Ground | Distance or location | Credited to |
|---|---|---|
| Nearshore reefs | 10 to 15 miles out | The Georgia Fishing Company |
| Near shore reefs | Off St. Simons, Sea Island and Jekyll | Southeastern Angling |
| 40 mile live bottom | About 40 miles offshore | Southeastern Angling |
| The Ledge | Offshore, on Gulf Stream trips | Gulf Stream trip listings |
The nearshore reefs
The Georgia Fishing Company puts the nearshore reefs 10 to 15 miles out. Southeastern Angling fishes near shore reefs off St. Simons, Sea Island and Jekyll.
Farther offshore
The 40 mile live bottom sits about 40 miles offshore, per Southeastern Angling. The Ledge is offshore, on Gulf Stream trips. Offshore targets on those grounds are covered in the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
The reefs and structure that hold them
The named reefs below are listed nearest to farthest, by distance as the state list gives it.
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Reef A | 45 | 7 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island |
| Georgia Reef CDH (formerly C) | 55 | 13.5 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island |
| Georgia Reef SFC | 55 | 18 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island |
Positions come from the state reef list. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Georgia Reef A
Georgia Reef A sits in 45 ft of water, 7 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island. It is the closest named reef.
Georgia Reef CDH
Georgia Reef CDH sits in 55 ft, 13.5 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island (Little Cumberland is a separate island). The state list shows CDH, formerly C.
Georgia Reef SFC
Georgia Reef SFC sits in 55 ft, 18 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island. The Golden Ray propeller and rudder section sits on SFC.
Golden Ray
The Golden Ray is a capsized vessel, partly removed, lying on its port side. Its propeller and rudder section is on Georgia Reef SFC.
G Reef (HLHA)
Operators call it G Reef. The state list shows HLHA, formerly G.
How it is fished here and who runs it
Local operators that list Spanish mackerel frame the fishery as reef and nearshore trips. The species guide linked above covers tackle and technique.
Captain Mark Noble, Georgia Fishing
Captain Mark Noble lists Spanish mackerel at Captain Mark Noble’s Georgia Fishing.
Southeastern Angling
Southeastern Angling fishes near shore reefs off St. Simons, Sea Island and Jekyll. It also runs to the 40 mile live bottom.
FAQ: Spanish mackerel fishing out of Golden Isles
When is the Spanish mackerel season off the Golden Isles?
St. Simons Fishing Center’s offshore list gives June to November. A second listing gives May to August.
How far do boats run for Spanish mackerel?
The Georgia Fishing Company puts the nearshore reefs 10 to 15 miles out. Southeastern Angling fishes near shore reefs off St. Simons, Sea Island and Jekyll.
What is the closest named reef?
Georgia Reef A is the closest named reef. It sits in 45 ft, 7 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island.
Is G Reef the same as HLHA?
Yes, by name. Operators call it G Reef, and the state list shows HLHA, formerly G.
Where is the Golden Ray propeller and rudder section?
It is on Georgia Reef SFC, in 55 ft, 18 nautical miles east of Little Cumberland Island. The rest of the capsized vessel is partly removed and lies on its port side.
Who runs Spanish mackerel trips here?
Captain Mark Noble (Georgia Fishing) and Southeastern Angling. Captain Mark Noble lists Spanish mackerel. Southeastern Angling fishes near shore reefs and the 40 mile live bottom.
