When wahoo are around Georgetown
Wahoo fishing out of Georgetown, South Carolina, on Georgetown and Winyah Bay, means trolling Gulf Stream current edges alongside mahi. This guide covers timing, edges, structure and people. General behavior and tackle for wahoo are in the species guide.
Three season signals apply here, each from a different source.
Summer offshore
The local charter operator puts wahoo offshore in summer.
SC Wahoo Series, January to April
The statewide SC Wahoo Series runs January to April. For how that fits the wider season, see the regional picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
August tournament week
Two events are tied to August:
- The Georgetown Wahoo Challenge is listed for the second week of August.
- The Georgetown Wahoo Tournament is usually held in August.
Where boats run and how it’s fished
Wahoo and mahi share the same Gulf Stream current edges, and boats out of Winyah Bay fish them together.
Gulf Stream current edges
Boats running for wahoo out of Georgetown work Gulf Stream current edges. We show current edges on the OBS SST layer. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Trolling alongside mahi
According to the operator, the local method is trolling along the same current edges used for mahi. A mahi bite and a wahoo bite can come from the same stretch of water, so the edge is what you fish, whatever the species.
Reading conditions before you leave
NOAA NDBC station NIWS1 sits at Oyster Landing in the North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve, at 33.349 N, 79.189 W. It reports from inside the reserve rather than from the Gulf Stream edge. Offshore wind, wave height and period come from the official forecast.
Named reefs and structure off Georgetown
These named reefs run from 12 ft to 110 ft. Use them for orientation and planning. Channel buoy 2WB is the reference point for the one bearing given here.
| 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 |
C J Davidson Jr Reef
C J Davidson Jr Reef sits in 53 ft of water, bearing 147 degrees and 6.5 nm from channel buoy 2WB. One buoy marks it.
Shallow and mid-depth reefs
Hector Reef is the shallowest at 12 ft. Georgetown Nearshore Reef sits at 30 ft and Georgetown Reef at 35 ft. North Inlet Reef is 45 ft and Cape Romain Reef is 55 ft.
Deeper reefs
Greenville Reef sits at 85 ft. Vermilion Reef is the deepest on the list at 110 ft.
Who fishes wahoo out of Georgetown
Wahoo fishing out of Georgetown runs through one listed charter and the August tournament fleets.
Winyah Adventures
Winyah Adventures offshore charters lists wahoo. The boat is run by Captain Eric, who is USCG-licensed.
Tournament fleets
Boats fishing the Georgetown Wahoo Challenge and the Georgetown Wahoo Tournament fish in August.
FAQ: Wahoo fishing out of Georgetown
When is wahoo season out of Georgetown?
The operator puts wahoo offshore in summer. The SC Wahoo Series runs January to April. Two August events round out the calendar.
Where do boats look for wahoo off Georgetown?
Boats work Gulf Stream current edges, the same water fished for mahi.
How are wahoo caught out of Georgetown?
Boats troll along the current edges used for mahi, per the operator. Mahi and other offshore gamefish work the same edges.
Is there a wahoo tournament in Georgetown?
Two events are listed. The Georgetown Wahoo Challenge is set for the second week of August. The Georgetown Wahoo Tournament is usually held in August.
Which charter out of Georgetown lists wahoo?
Winyah Adventures lists wahoo, with Captain Eric, who is USCG-licensed.
What buoy should I check before leaving Winyah Bay?
NOAA NDBC station NIWS1 at Oyster Landing, 33.349 N, 79.189 W. It does not report the Gulf Stream edge, so use the official forecast for offshore wind, wave height and period.
