When red grouper are here
Red grouper fishing out of Georgetown centers on June, according to the Winyah Adventures blog. That timing comes from the local operator and is not a general rule. This page covers the port: the run, the grounds, the method, and where to read conditions. For the fish itself, see our red grouper guide. The wider picture is in the red grouper fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide.
Where boats run from Georgetown
Boats leave Winyah Bay and run to ledges and hard-bottom structure offshore. Inlet and launch details are on our Georgetown port page. The grounds below range from shallow to deep, so you can match the run to your boat and the day. Depths come from the SCDNR artificial reef locations list.
| Ground | 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 |
Inside 60 ft
Six grounds sit inside 60 ft:
- Hector Reef, 12 ft
- Georgetown Nearshore Reef, 30 ft
- Georgetown Reef, 35 ft
- North Inlet Reef, 45 ft
- C J Davidson Jr Reef, 53 ft
- Cape Romain Reef, 55 ft
C J Davidson Jr Reef
From channel buoy 2WB, C J Davidson Jr Reef lies 147 degrees, 6.5 nm, in 53 ft. One buoy marks it. Check ground depths against the Chart Contours layer in Breakpoint, keeping in mind that chart layers are not for navigation.
85 to 110 ft
Greenville Reef sits at 85 ft and Vermilion Reef at 110 ft.
Reading conditions at NIWS1
The nearest NOAA buoy is NDBC station NIWS1 at Oyster Landing, in the North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve (33.349 N, 79.189 W). Its readings describe the estuary, not conditions on the reefs.
Read wind, wave height, and period as numbers. For the offshore run, use the National Weather Service marine forecast.
How red grouper are fished here
The local method is bottom fishing on the ledges and hard-bottom structure. For general bottom-fishing technique, see our reef fish guides.
Who fishes for Georgetown red grouper
Winyah Adventures offshore charters list red grouper among their offshore bottom-fishing targets. Captain Eric is USCG-licensed. A guided trip is one way to learn the grounds before you run them on your own boat.
FAQ: red grouper off Georgetown
When do anglers target red grouper out of Georgetown?
June, according to the Winyah Adventures blog. That is the operator’s timing, not a rule. Check the regulations page before you plan the trip.
How deep are the reefs off Georgetown?
Depths run from 12 ft at Hector Reef to 110 ft at Vermilion Reef. In between are Georgetown Nearshore at 30 ft, Georgetown at 35 ft, North Inlet at 45 ft, C J Davidson Jr at 53 ft, Cape Romain at 55 ft, and Greenville at 85 ft.
How far is C J Davidson Jr Reef from the channel?
It lies 147 degrees, 6.5 nm from channel buoy 2WB, in 53 ft. One buoy marks it.
Where do I check conditions before running offshore?
Use NOAA NDBC station NIWS1 at Oyster Landing, North Inlet-Winyah Bay Reserve (33.349 N, 79.189 W). Its readings describe the estuary. Read wind, wave height, and period as numbers, and use the official marine forecast for the offshore run.
Who runs red grouper trips from Georgetown?
Winyah Adventures, with Captain Eric, USCG-licensed. The operator lists red grouper among its offshore bottom-fishing targets on ledges and hard-bottom structure.
Where are the rules for Georgetown red grouper?
Federal South Atlantic snapper-grouper rules apply. The state regulations page carries the specifics, and Gulf rules do not apply here. Check before you fish.
