Spanish mackerel fishing out of Folly Beach starts close. Folly Beach reports put the fish about a mile off the beach in September, and the end of the Folly Beach Pier is the other mark boats run to. This page covers the season, the run, and the named structure from the beach outward, so you can decide where to look first.
When Spanish mackerel are off Folly Beach
September is the month to plan around. For the wider run along the coast, see the Southeast coast migration picture (see also the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide).
September reports
A September Folly Beach report puts Spanish mackerel about a mile off the beach, which makes September the documented window for Spanish mackerel fishing out of Folly Beach.
- Season: September
- Distance: about 1 mile off the beach
- Second mark: the end of the Folly Beach Pier
Pier and inshore
The Folly guide lists Spanish mackerel as a pier and inshore target. The pier end is a fixed mark that boats can run to.
Where boats run and the structure that holds bait
The documented mackerel water is the near-beach water about a mile out and the end of the Folly Beach Pier. The rest of the table is named structure on the run from Folly, ordered from the beach outward.
| Spot | Depth (ft) | Distance / position |
|---|---|---|
| Near-beach water | – | About 1 mile off the beach |
| Folly Beach Pier reef | 15 | End of the Folly Beach Pier |
| Charleston Harbor Jetties | – | At the Charleston Harbor inlet |
| Morris Island Lighthouse area | – | A short run north of Folly Beach |
| 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 |
Chart positions are for planning, not navigation. Before any run, check wind, wave height and period on the NWS marine forecast.
About a mile off the beach
This is the documented Spanish mackerel water in September. It is a short run from the Folly Beach side, well inside the nearshore reefs.
Folly Beach Pier reef (15 ft)
An artificial reef sits in 15 ft at the end of the Folly Beach Pier. Boats run to the pier end, which matches the Folly guide’s listing of the pier as a Spanish mackerel target.
Charleston Harbor Jetties and Morris Island
The Charleston Harbor Jetties sit at the Charleston Harbor inlet, and the Morris Island Lighthouse area is a short run north of Folly Beach. Both are named structure close to the port.
Capers and the 60′ Reef
Capers Artificial Reef sits in 40 ft, about 12 miles east of the Charleston Harbor Jetties. Charleston 60′ Reef sits in 60 ft, about 15 miles offshore. Both are structure along the run out of Folly.
Comanche and the Gulf Stream edge
Comanche Reef sits in 105 ft, farther out than the 60′ Reef. The Gulf Stream edge begins around 70 miles offshore. Past the 60′ Reef, most runs turn toward other offshore gamefish.
How the fishery works from this port
The local pattern is short runs to the near-beach water about a mile out and to the end of the pier. Rigs, tackle and technique are covered on our Spanish mackerel species page.
- Run length: short, with the first marks within about a mile of the beach
- Fixed mark: the pier end and its 15 ft reef
- Next step out: Capers, about 12 miles east of the jetties
Who fishes for them out of Folly Beach
Two Folly Beach charters list Spanish mackerel:
- Write Off The Rip Charters, Offshore, lists Spanish mackerel.
- Tall Tide Fishing Adventures lists Spanish mackerel.
FAQ about Spanish mackerel off Folly Beach
When are Spanish mackerel off Folly Beach?
Folly Beach reports put them about a mile off the beach in September. The Folly guide lists them as a pier and inshore target.
How far do boats run for Spanish mackerel out of Folly Beach?
About a mile off the beach, and to the end of the Folly Beach Pier. Farther structure runs from Capers, about 12 miles east of the jetties, out to the Gulf Stream edge at around 70 miles.
Can you catch Spanish mackerel from the Folly Beach Pier?
Yes. They are listed as a pier target. The pier end has an artificial reef in 15 ft that boats also run to.
Which Folly Beach charters target Spanish mackerel?
Write Off The Rip Charters, Offshore, and Tall Tide Fishing Adventures both list the species. For Spanish mackerel fishing out of Folly Beach with a captain, start with those two.
Where are the rules for Spanish mackerel off Folly Beach?
Check the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources rules before fishing. Farther reefs may fall in federal waters, so check federal rules too.
