When mahi-mahi are off Folly Beach
Mahi-mahi fishing out of Folly Beach runs from spring into summer, and Atlantic Breeze Charters lists mahi for summer. The fish are an offshore pelagic species, covered in the Atlantic mahi-mahi species profile. The bite here is an offshore run rather than a nearshore trip.
Coast-wide timing, Florida to North Carolina, is in our mahi-mahi fishing guide for the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
Geography sets the route:
- The Morris Island Lighthouse area sits a short boat ride north of Folly Beach.
- Offshore runs head out past the Charleston Harbor Jetties.
- The structure thickens as you move out, then thins toward the Gulf Stream.
How far boats run from Folly Beach
Boats targeting mahi run to two places: Comanche Reef and the Gulf Stream edge. Both are offshore runs, so plan fuel and timing around the farther distance.
Check wind, wave height and period against the official marine forecast before leaving.
Comanche Reef
Comanche Reef sits in 105 ft of water, farther offshore than the Charleston 60′ Reef, which is about 15 miles out. It is the closer of the two mahi destinations and the natural first stop for a boat that wants offshore structure without the full run to the edge.
The Gulf Stream edge
The Gulf Stream begins around 70 miles offshore. Use that figure when planning a run to blue water, and treat it as the outer end of the trip.
Grounds and structure between the beach and the edge
The structure below is listed in order from the beach out.
| Structure | Depth (ft) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Folly Beach Fishing Pier artificial reef | 15 | Folly Beach Fishing Pier |
| Morris Island Lighthouse area | – | A short boat ride north of Folly Beach |
| Charleston Harbor Jetties | – | At the Charleston Harbor inlet |
| Capers Artificial Reef | 40 | About 12 miles east of the Charleston Harbor Jetties |
| Charleston 60′ Reef | 60 | About 15 miles offshore |
| Comanche Reef | 105 | Farther offshore than the Charleston 60′ Reef |
| Gulf Stream edge | – | Begins around 70 miles offshore |
Landmarks: Morris Island and the jetties
The Morris Island Lighthouse area and the Charleston Harbor Jetties serve as orientation marks. The lighthouse area is a short boat ride north of Folly Beach, and the jetties sit at the Charleston Harbor inlet.
Nearshore reefs on the way out
Three reefs sit along the run: the Folly Beach Fishing Pier reef at 15 ft, Capers Artificial Reef at 40 ft (about 12 miles east of the jetties), and the Charleston 60′ Reef at 60 ft (about 15 miles offshore). They work as waypoints and as structure to fish along the way.
How it is fished from here
Boats targeting mahi make the run to Comanche Reef and the Gulf Stream edge. Rigging, trolling spreads and reading weed are covered in our mahi-mahi fishing guide.
You can read these reefs and the Gulf Stream edge against the Chart Contours and OBS SST layers in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Who fishes mahi from this port
Two operators in the area list mahi-mahi. If you are weighing a charter before running your own boat, these are the names.
Atlantic Breeze Charters
Atlantic Breeze Charters lists mahi-mahi for summer.
Stovepipe Fishing
Stovepipe Fishing runs a 2005 45-foot Cabo sportfisher out of Bohicket Marina, serving Kiawah and Seabrook, and lists mahi-mahi. It is not a Folly Beach operator.
| Operator | Mahi-mahi listed | Base |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Breeze Charters | Yes, summer | Folly Beach area |
| Stovepipe Fishing | Yes | Bohicket Marina, Kiawah and Seabrook |
FAQ: mahi-mahi fishing out of Folly Beach
When is mahi season off Folly Beach?
Spring into summer. Atlantic Breeze Charters lists mahi for summer.
How far is the Gulf Stream from Folly Beach?
It begins around 70 miles offshore. Comanche Reef is the other ground boats run to.
How deep is Comanche Reef?
105 ft. It lies farther offshore than the Charleston 60′ Reef, which is 60 ft deep and about 15 miles out.
Which charters fish mahi from Folly Beach?
Atlantic Breeze Charters lists mahi for summer. Stovepipe Fishing lists mahi but works out of Bohicket Marina.
Is Stovepipe Fishing based at Folly?
No. It runs a 2005 45-foot Cabo sportfisher out of Bohicket Marina and serves Kiawah and Seabrook.
Where do I find the size and bag rules?
See the regulations section above for the South Carolina and federal pages. Other species that share this water are covered in our coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
