When vermilion snapper are around Georgetown
Vermilion snapper fishing out of Georgetown is bottom fishing on ledges, hard bottom and artificial reefs, with boats leaving Winyah Bay for structure offshore. The vermilion snapper, also called beeliner, is a schooling bottom fish that stays close to that kind of ground. For the wider coast, see the vermilion snapper fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide.
The only local timing signal is June bottom trips. No dated season is published for this port.
This guide covers the structure by depth, the one bearing on record, and where to check conditions.
- Structure: ledges, hard bottom and artificial reefs
- Method: bottom fishing on 8-hour trips
- Timing signal: June bottom trips
Where Georgetown boats run for vermilion
Boats run to offshore ledges and hard bottom, and to a chain of artificial reefs spanning 12 ft to 110 ft. The table lists the chain from shallow to deep.
| 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 |
Published positions and chart layers are not for navigation. Verify against the official chart before you run.
Offshore ledges and hard bottom
Natural ledges and hard bottom offshore are the main structure for vermilion here. The artificial reefs add named, findable targets on top of that. Breakpoint’s Chart Contours layer shows depth around these reefs for reference only, not for navigation.
Nearshore reefs, 12 to 35 ft
Hector Reef (12 ft), Georgetown Nearshore Reef (30 ft) and Georgetown Reef (35 ft) form the shallow end of the chain. They are the closest named structure to the inlet.
Mid-depth reefs, 45 to 55 ft
North Inlet Reef (45 ft), C J Davidson Jr Reef (53 ft) and Cape Romain Reef (55 ft) make up the middle of the chain.
C J Davidson Jr Reef is the one with a bearing on record: 147 degrees and 6.5 nm from channel buoy 2WB, in 53 ft. One buoy marks it.
Deep reefs, 85 to 110 ft
Greenville Reef (85 ft) and Vermilion Reef (110 ft) are the deep end. Vermilion Reef is the deepest named reef in this set, and it is a long run, so a full day on the bottom is the sensible way to fish it.
How vermilion are fished out of Georgetown
Local boats bottom fish for vermilion on 8-hour trips.
Bottom fishing
Bottom fishing means dropping baits to the structure and fishing the bottom over it.
The 8-hour trip
Eight hours covers the run out, time on the bottom and the run back. That format puts the deeper structure, 85 to 110 ft, within reach in a single day.
Reading conditions at NIWS1
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC station NIWS1 at Oyster Landing, North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve (33.349 N, 79.189 W). It reports conditions at that spot inside the reserve, not at the reefs.
Use it alongside the official marine forecast, and base your decision on the numbers for wind, wave height and wave period.
- Wind: speed and direction
- Wave height: in feet
- Wave period: in seconds
Who fishes for vermilion out of Georgetown
Winyah Adventures charter out of Georgetown lists vermilion snapper among its bottom trips. Captain Eric is USCG-licensed. If you are new to this water, a trip with a local captain is one way to see the method before you run your own boat.
FAQ for vermilion snapper fishing out of Georgetown
When do Georgetown boats fish for vermilion snapper?
Vermilion snapper fishing out of Georgetown shows up on June bottom trips. There is no dated season to quote.
How deep is Vermilion Reef?
Vermilion Reef sits in 110 ft, the deepest named reef in this set. Greenville Reef is at 85 ft.
Where is C J Davidson Jr Reef?
It lies 147 degrees and 6.5 nm from channel buoy 2WB, in 53 ft, with one buoy marked. Verify against the official chart.
Which buoy should I check for conditions?
NIWS1 at Oyster Landing, North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve (33.349 N, 79.189 W). It reports that station, not the reefs, so use it alongside the official marine forecast.
How are vermilion fished locally?
Bottom fishing on 8-hour trips over ledges, hard bottom and artificial reefs.
Is there a local charter that targets vermilion?
Winyah Adventures, with Captain Eric, who is USCG-licensed, lists vermilion snapper.
