Where boats run from Murrells Inlet for blackfin
Blackfin tuna fishing out of Murrells Inlet means an offshore run of about 60 miles. Salty Hooker Fishing Charters lists blackfin on its Gulf Stream trip, which covers 50 to 70 miles.
The destination is the Winyah Scarp area, a ledge about 60 miles out. On the way, boats troll the ledges in 140 to 250 ft of water for wahoo and blackfin. For the wider picture, see blackfin across the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
This page covers the waypoints between the jetty and the ledges, the spread, and the rules to check. It makes no promises about catching fish, but it should help you decide where to look on the Grand Strand.
Who fishes them
Salty Hooker Fishing Charters is the local listing for blackfin on a Gulf Stream trip of 50 to 70 miles. If you are weighing a guided first run against taking your own boat, start there.
When blackfin are around
Salty Hooker Fishing Charters lists blackfin on its Gulf Stream trip without naming months, so the listing itself defines the season here rather than a calendar.
For general timing and biology, read our blackfin tuna fishing guide. This page sticks to what is specific to the port.
Grounds and structure on the way out
Eight named structures sit between the inlet and the Scarp, from reefs in 23 ft of water to ledges in 140 to 250 ft. Use the reefs as waypoints and landmarks on the run; they are not blackfin grounds. Save each one as a waypoint before you leave the dock. Chart layers and published coordinates are not for navigation.
Nearshore reefs
- Pawley’s Island Reef: 23 to 35 ft. One buoy. Bearing 177 degrees, 5.5 nm from the south jetty.
- Paradise Reef: 30 to 35 ft. Two buoys. H.P. Springs Jr. and other add-on reefs sit with it.
- Ten Mile Reef: 34 to 45 ft. Two buoys.
Mid-shelf
- Bill Perry Reef: 65 ft. One buoy.
- BP-25 Reef: 90 to 95 ft. An unmarked 160 ft ship.
- Will Goldfinch Reef: A 175 ft ship (YO-225) at 33 17.005 N / 078 45.372 W.
Ledges and the Scarp
- Nearshore ledges: 140 to 250 ft. These are trolled for wahoo and blackfin.
- Winyah Scarp area: A ledge about 60 miles out.
The spread goes in over the ledges, as described in the next section.
| Name | Depth (ft) | Marking/position |
|---|---|---|
| Pawley’s Island Reef | 23-35 | One buoy. 177 degrees, 5.5 nm from the south jetty |
| Paradise Reef (with H.P. Springs Jr. and add-on reefs) | 30-35 | Two buoys |
| Ten Mile Reef | 34-45 | Two buoys |
| Bill Perry Reef | 65 | One buoy |
| BP-25 Reef | 90-95 | Unmarked 160 ft ship |
| Will Goldfinch Reef | 175 ft ship (YO-225), 33 17.005 N / 078 45.372 W | |
| Nearshore ledges | 140-250 | Wahoo and blackfin ledges |
| Winyah Scarp area | About 60 miles out |
How blackfin are fished here
Boats troll skirted ballyhoo over the same 140 to 250 ft ledges they work for wahoo, with a few baits run deep on a planer.
The surface spread
- The spread is skirted ballyhoo trolled over the ledges.
- Wahoo and blackfin share these ledges, so one spread works the water for both.
Baits on the planer
A few baits run deep on a planer while the rest stay in the surface spread, which puts offerings at more than one depth on every pass.
FAQ about blackfin tuna fishing out of Murrells Inlet
How far is the run from Murrells Inlet to the blackfin grounds?
The run is about 60 miles. Salty Hooker’s Gulf Stream trip covers 50 to 70 miles, and the Winyah Scarp area sits about 60 miles out.
What depth do the ledges sit in?
The ledges trolled for wahoo and blackfin sit in 140 to 250 ft.
Where is the Will Goldfinch Reef?
It is a 175 ft ship, YO-225, at 33 17.005 N / 078 45.372 W. Published coordinates are not for navigation.
Who runs blackfin trips out of Murrells Inlet?
Salty Hooker Fishing Charters lists blackfin on its Gulf Stream trip, which runs 50 to 70 miles.
How are blackfin fished here?
Boats troll skirted ballyhoo, with a few baits deep on a planer.
What other tunas show up on the Gulf Stream trip?
The listing names blackfin only. For the other tunas of the Atlantic coast, see our tuna fishing guides.
