Swordfish fishing out of Georgetown, South Carolina, is a June fishery. Local operators run to offshore deep water and deep drop on both night and day trips. This page covers when the fish show, where boats run, what sits on the chart on the way out, how the local fleet fishes, and who runs trips from this port.
When swordfish are off Georgetown
Boats leave Georgetown, South Carolina through Winyah Bay.
June
Local operators put the swordfish season in June, so plan the run around that month. For wider Southeast timing, see our Southeast swordfish guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
- Port: Georgetown, South Carolina
- Departure waters: Winyah Bay
- Season, per local operators: June
Where Georgetown boats run
Local operators run to offshore deep water off Georgetown. The named reefs on the chart sit in 12 to 110 ft, and the swordfish water lies beyond them.
Offshore deep water
The reefs listed below are structure you pass on the way out. They are not swordfish grounds.
Channel buoy 2WB as a reference
The published bearings and distances are measured from channel buoy 2WB. C J Davidson Jr Reef sits at 147 degrees and 6.5 nm from 2WB, so use 2WB as the starting mark when you lay out the run.
Named grounds and structure off Georgetown
These are the named reefs and structure on the chart off the port, ordered shallow to deep.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Bearing / distance from 2WB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (1 buoy marked) |
| Cape Romain Reef | 55 | – |
| Greenville Reef | 85 | – |
| Vermilion Reef | 110 | – |
C J Davidson Jr is the only structure here with a published bearing and distance and a marker buoy, which makes it a fixed reference on the way out. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How swordfish are fished from Georgetown
The method and the conditions you check before leaving determine how a day goes here.
Deep dropping
Local operators fish swordfish here by deep dropping. For behavior and tackle, see our swordfish species guide.
Night trips and day trips
The local charter fishes both night and day trips. If you haven’t deep dropped before, a trip with the local captain is one way to see the method first.
Reading conditions at NIWS1
The nearest NOAA buoy is NOAA NDBC station NIWS1 at Oyster Landing, North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve (33.349 N, 79.189 W). It sits in the estuary and reports conditions there, not on the deep-water grounds. For offshore numbers, read wind, wave height and period in the official marine forecast.
Who fishes swordfish out of Georgetown
Winyah Adventures is the local charter that lists swordfish. For comparison with other billfish trips, see our billfish fishing guides.
Winyah Adventures
- Operator: Winyah Adventures
- Captain: Captain Eric, USCG-licensed
- Lists swordfish: Yes
- Trip types fished locally: Night and day
FAQ: swordfish fishing out of Georgetown
When is swordfish season off Georgetown, SC?
Local operators put it in June.
Are the reefs off Georgetown swordfish grounds?
No. The named reefs sit in 12 to 110 ft. Boats run past them to offshore deep water for swordfish.
What is the difference between a night trip and a day trip here?
Local operators deep drop on both. For how swordfish behave by day and by night, use the species guide linked in the method section above.
Which buoy should I check before leaving Georgetown?
NIWS1 at Oyster Landing, 33.349 N, 79.189 W. It reads estuary conditions, so check the official marine forecast for offshore wind, wave height and period.
Can I book a swordfish trip before running my own boat?
Yes. Winyah Adventures, run by Captain Eric (USCG-licensed), lists swordfish.
