King mackerel fishing out of Edisto Beach happens on the nearshore reefs and mid-depth water out to about 100 ft, with most of the work in the 40-100 ft band. Species basics are in our king mackerel guide. This page covers when the fish are here, where boats run, how the fishing is done locally, and who runs charters.
When kings are around Edisto
Kings are on the nearshore reefs by early June. One local charter lists May through October. Read early June as when the reefs hold fish, and the charter window as when trips are offered.
For the coastwide migration, see king mackerel in the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
| Source | Window |
|---|---|
| Reefs hold kings | By early June |
| Local charter listing | May through October |
Where boats run for kings out of Edisto Beach
Boats work nearshore and mid-depth water from the reefs out to about 100 ft. The SC Lowcountry reef guide lists Edisto Offshore Reef (PA-36) for kings in 50-72 ft. The A-Can off the South Edisto River mouth is the local starting landmark. The grounds below are ordered from closest to farthest.
| Ground | PA number | Depth (ft) | Marker/coordinates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nearshore reefs (general) | Not listed | About 30 and deeper | Not listed | Inside the main king band |
| A-Can, South Edisto River mouth | Not listed | Not listed | Can buoy | Local starting landmark |
| CCA-Edisto 40′ Reef | PA-31 | Not listed | Reef buoy 32 25.280N, 080 11.780W | Marked reef |
| Edisto 60′ Reef | PA-30 | 60 | Reef buoy 32 21.411N, 080 05.155W | Marked reef |
| Edisto Offshore Reef | PA-36 | 50-72 | Unmarked | 23.5 miles from Stono Inlet; reef guide lists it for kings |
| Edisto Banks (the ledge) | Not listed | 150 on top to 800 on the drop | Not listed | Drop running north-south for about 20 miles |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Chart layers are not for navigation. Plot the PA-30 and PA-31 buoy positions as waypoints over Chart Contours.
PA-36 is unmarked
Edisto Offshore Reef sits in 50-72 ft, 23.5 miles from Stono Inlet, and has no buoy. You find it with the plotter and the published coordinates, so build the run distance into your fuel and time plan before leaving the dock.
Edisto Banks, the ledge
Edisto Banks is a steep drop running north-south for about 20 miles. Depth runs from 150 ft on top to 800 ft on the drop. It lies beyond the main 40-100 ft king band.
Reading conditions before the run
NDBC Station 41004 EDISTO sits 41 NM southeast of Charleston, SC, at 32.502N, 79.099W, in 35 m (about 115 ft) of water. It reads water well seaward of the 40-60 ft reefs. Before you run, compare its wind, wave height and period readings with the NWS Charleston marine forecast.
How kings are fished out of Edisto
Boats troll spoons and big-lipped plugs early, then switch to slow-trolled live menhaden after sunup.
Early: spoons and big-lipped plugs
Troll spoons and big-lipped plugs in the early part of the morning.
After sunup: slow-trolled live menhaden
Once the sun is up, slow-troll live menhaden.
Planer boards and downriggers
Line Life also lists spoons, cigar minnows and live bait behind planer boards and downriggers. If you work other nearshore pelagics too, the coastal and offshore gamefish guides cover them.
Who fishes kings out of Edisto
Three local charters list king mackerel.
Line Life Fishing Company
Line Life Fishing Company is run by Captain Matthew Timmerman on a 21 ft 2002 Sea Hunt center console.
Second Wind Charters
Second Wind Charters is run by Captain Kevin Latham on a 26′ Sea Hunt 265 Ultra center console, with room for up to 6 passengers.
Fontaine Charters
Fontaine Charters lists king mackerel. Its trips page names no captain or boat.
FAQ: king mackerel out of Edisto Beach
When do king mackerel show up at Edisto Beach?
Kings are on the nearshore reefs by early June. One charter page lists May through October.
What depth do boats fish for kings?
About 40-100 ft, from the nearshore reefs out to about 100 ft.
Which reef is listed for kings?
The SC Lowcountry reef guide lists Edisto Offshore Reef (PA-36) for kings in 50-72 ft. PA-30 and PA-31 are the marked reefs inside it.
Is PA-36 marked?
No. It is unmarked and 23.5 miles from Stono Inlet, so you find it by plotter. Chart layers are not for navigation.
What bait and lures are used locally?
- Spoons and big-lipped plugs early.
- Slow-trolled live menhaden after sunup.
- Cigar minnows and live bait behind planer boards and downriggers, per Line Life.
Which buoy should I check?
- NDBC 41004 EDISTO, at 32.502N, 79.099W in 35 m of water, 41 NM southeast of Charleston.
- It reads water well seaward of the reefs, so compare its wind, wave height and period with the official forecast.
