Swordfish out of Little River at a glance
Swordfish fishing out of Little River is very rare, and no dedicated swordfish grounds are named from this port. Local captains are the best source on where boats run. This page lists the named structure near the inlet that you can plot, with depths, one bearing and one distance. For the port itself, see the Little River port page.
Little River Inlet is the reference point for every number below. If you run your own boat, treat the structure here as nearshore and offshore reef water, not as swordfish water.
When they are around
No swordfish season is set for Little River, and nothing about this port ties swordfish to a particular stretch of the year. General timing is covered in our swordfish species guide.
How often they are caught
Swordfish catches from this port are very rare. Plan a trip around the fish this port is known for and treat a swordfish as the exception. We don’t promise fish; the aim is to help you decide where to look.
How far and where boats run
No swordfish grounds are named from Little River, and local practice is to ask a captain where they run. For the deep-water picture beyond this port, read the Southeast swordfish regional picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
Before you plan a run offshore, especially if you trailer a boat in from out of town:
- Ask first. Captains out of Little River know where they run.
- Plot the structure. The named reefs and wrecks below give you reference points.
- Check conditions. Use the official marine forecast for the coastal waters off Little River Inlet.
Finding the grounds
Ask a local captain about the swordfish grounds before you plan the run. A short conversation at the dock is more useful than a long run to an unmarked spot.
Named grounds and structure near Little River
These are the named reefs, wrecks and areas near Little River Inlet. None of them is a named swordfish ground, and every listed depth is shallow structure, 92 ft at most. The SCDNR artificial reef locations page lists the state’s reef sites.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Location note |
|---|---|---|
| Little River Reef | 25 | |
| Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02) | 55 | Bearing 156°, 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet |
| Ron McManus Memorial Reef (PA-04) | ||
| General Sherman Wreck | 48 | |
| BP-25 Reef | 92 | |
| Ninety Ninety Rock | Within a few miles of land | |
| Three Mile Reef | ||
| Blackjack | Named offshore area with blackfin tuna and mahi |
Chart layers are not for navigation. Use official charts to run the inlet.
The structure sits off the north end of the Grand Strand, which gives you a short list of named marks to build a day around.
Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02)
PA-02 sits at 55 ft, bearing 156°, 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet. It is the only entry with both a bearing and a distance, so it is the easiest to plot. We attach no species claim to it.
Blackjack
Blackjack is a named offshore area known for blackfin tuna and mahi. We give no distance or depth for it.
How swordfish are fished from this port
Swordfishing from Little River is rare and local, and there is no established port method.
Local methods
Local swordfish methods are not set for this port, and captains who run for them fish their own way. For how swordfish are fished in general, read the species page linked above.
Who fishes for them
The few swordfish trips from this port run with local charter captains and experienced owner-operators. The area is better known for billfish and pelagic trips, and the billfish species hub covers the fish this coast is known for.
For an angler stepping up from reef fishing, the realistic path has three steps:
- Ask a captain who runs offshore from Little River.
- Read the species and regional pages for the general picture.
- Build time on the named structure above before you commit to a long run.
FAQ about swordfish fishing out of Little River
Can you catch swordfish out of Little River?
Swordfish are very rare from this port, and no grounds are named. Local captains know where they run. The port is better known for other offshore species, so plan around those and treat a swordfish as the exception.
When is swordfish season at Little River?
No swordfish season is set for this port. The species page covers general timing for swordfish, but nothing here ties them to particular months. Ask a local captain what they are seeing before you plan a trip.
Where are the swordfish grounds?
No grounds are named from Little River, so ask a local captain. The regional page covers the deep-water picture for the Southeast and is the better place to read about where swordfish are found along this coast.
What structure is near Little River Inlet?
PA-02 sits at 55 ft, bearing 156°, 10.5 nm from the inlet. Little River Reef is 25 ft, General Sherman Wreck is 48 ft and BP-25 Reef is 92 ft. All of it is shallow structure, 92 ft at most, and none of it is a named swordfish spot.
What rules apply to swordfish from Little River?
NOAA Fisheries manages swordfish, and SCDNR sets state rules. Check both official pages before fishing. We print no limits or sizes here because those figures belong to the agencies and change.
