Black sea bass fishing out of Little River happens on nearshore bottoms inside about 10 miles of Little River Inlet, in about 70 ft of water, from March through October. Biology and rigging are covered in our black sea bass species guide. This page covers the local water. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast region guide.
When Black Sea Bass Are Around Little River
Black sea bass are reported here from March through October. Voyager runs half-day sea bass trips through the season, which suggests the fishery holds across those months.
- Season window: March through October
- Headboat pattern: half-day trips on the nearshore bottoms
- Working depth: about 70 ft
Where Boats Run and the Structure That Holds Fish
Boats leave Little River Inlet for nearshore bottoms inside about 10 miles, working about 70 ft of water. Inlet, ramp and launch details are in our Little River port guide.
The numbered PA sites belong to South Carolina’s artificial reef program, and the SCDNR artificial reef locations page is the official source for them. The same bottoms hold other reef fish, covered in our reef fish fishing guides.
The named grounds, shallow to deep:
| Ground | Type | Depth | Bearing / range from Little River Inlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little River Reef | reef | 25 ft | |
| General Sherman Wreck | wreck | 48 ft | |
| Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02) | artificial reef | 55 ft | 156°, 10.5 nm |
| BP-25 Reef | reef | 92 ft |
Little River Reef
At 25 ft, this is the shallowest named reef on the list and the shortest run.
General Sherman Wreck
The wreck sits in 48 ft. Its relief tends to hold fish tight to the structure.
Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02)
PA-02 lies in 55 ft, bearing 156° and 10.5 nm from Little River Inlet. Chart Contours shows the relief around it. Chart layers are not for navigation.
BP-25 Reef
BP-25 is in 92 ft, the deepest named structure listed here.
Ron McManus Memorial Reef (PA-04)
A PA-designated artificial reef near the port.
Ninety Ninety Rock
Described as within a few miles of land.
Three Mile Reef
A named nearshore reef to add to your waypoint list.
Blackjack is a different trip. It is a named offshore area for blackfin and mahi, beyond the sea bass bottoms, and Little River Fishing Fleet runs Gulf Stream trips on the Hurricane II for that kind of water.
How Black Sea Bass Are Fished Here
The local method is bottom fishing on structure with cut squid or live bait, and half-day headboat trips work the same nearshore bottoms. Rigging detail is in the species guide. For this page, what matters is the water: drop on the structure, stay on it, and let the bait work.
- Cut squid: the baseline bait
- Live bait: the alternative on the same structure
- Target: nearshore structure, not open bottom
For a look at how local anglers report on the nearshore bite, see these local nearshore bottom fishing reports.
Who Fishes Black Sea Bass Out of Little River
These operators list black sea bass fishing out of Little River. Their half-day and charter runs work the same bottoms you would run to on your own boat.
- Voyager Fishing Charters (Voyager Deep Sea Fishing & Dolphin Cruises): Super Voyager III and Continental Shelf. Half-day sea bass trips through the season.
- Little River Fishing Fleet: marketed with Hurricane Fleet as a sister operation. Gulf Stream trips on the Hurricane II. The private fleet includes the Southern Tide.
- Hurricane Fleet Ocean Adventures: lists black sea bass.
- Chilly Water Fishing: a 27 ft Triton 2690 with two 200 HP Suzuki outboards. Captain Bevan Hunter.
- Captain Smiley Fishing Charters: lists black sea bass.
- Fish Screamer III (Fish Screamer Charters): a 41 ft custom fiberglass boat. Captain Danny Juel.
FAQ: Black Sea Bass Fishing Out of Little River
When are black sea bass around Little River?
March through October. Voyager runs half-day sea bass trips through the season.
How far do boats run for black sea bass from Little River Inlet?
Inside about 10 miles, on nearshore bottoms. Little River Offshore Reef (PA-02) sits at bearing 156°, 10.5 nm.
What depth do black sea bass hold in off Little River?
About 70 ft. The named grounds run from 25 ft at Little River Reef to 92 ft at BP-25 Reef.
What bait works for black sea bass here?
Cut squid or live bait, fished on the bottom over structure.
Do headboats run black sea bass trips out of Little River?
Yes. Voyager runs half-day sea bass trips through the season on the Super Voyager III and Continental Shelf.
