Spanish Mackerel Fishing Out of Savannah: Reefs and Runs

Spanish mackerel fishing out of Savannah centers on the Georgia artificial reefs off Tybee, where GON reports the fish are worked. One reef, BSF, carries a trolling alley that Georgia DNR built for king and Spanish mackerel. This page gives the marks, depths and run distances for this port. For timing and the fish themselves, see our species guide and the regional guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide) for the Southeast coast.

Where boats run from Savannah

Reef distances are measured from the islands that front the coast: Tybee Island, Little Tybee Island, Wassaw Island and Ossabaw Island. The Savannah port page covers the ramps, the inlet and the conditions once you leave Tybee. The runs below are grouped from near to far.

Nearshore reefs, 4 to 9 nautical miles

The 4 Georgia offshore artificial reefs closest to the port sit 4 to 9 nautical miles off the islands, in 29 to 50 ft of water. BSF is the closest at 4 nautical miles and KC the farthest at 9. GON reports Spanish mackerel are fished off Tybee on these reefs.

The 15-mile range and the J-Buoy

Tybee Island Charters says its 4-hour offshore trips catch Spanish mackerel about 15 miles offshore. FishingBooker puts the J-Buoy 16 miles east of Tybee Island. Both figures are in miles, as sourced.

Farther grounds

The Savannah Snapper Banks lie in 100 ft, about twice the depth of KC, the deepest nearshore reef. FishingBooker puts the North Hole about 60 miles east of Savannah.

Grounds and structure that hold Spanish mackerel

These are the named marks off Savannah, ordered by run distance. Each is a place to look, and none guarantees fish.

Each reef position can be plotted as a waypoint in Breakpoint. Chart layers are not for navigation.

BSF

BSF is the closest named reef and holds the trolling alley Georgia DNR built for king and Spanish mackerel. It sits in 29 ft, 4 nautical miles east of Little Tybee Island.

SAV

SAV sits in 40 ft, 6 nautical miles southeast of Tybee Island.

DUA

DUA sits in 45 ft, 7 nautical miles east of Ossabaw Island.

KC

KC sits in 50 ft, 9 nautical miles east of Wassaw Island. It is the deepest and farthest of the 4 nearshore reefs.

J-Buoy

FishingBooker puts the J-Buoy 16 miles east of Tybee Island.

Savannah Snapper Banks

The Savannah Snapper Banks lie in 100 ft.

R-6 Tower

R-6 Tower is a named structure off Savannah.

North Hole

FishingBooker puts the North Hole about 60 miles east of Savannah.

How Spanish mackerel are fished out of Savannah

Georgia DNR built the BSF reef trolling alley for king and Spanish mackerel. Other species share this structure, and the coastal and offshore gamefish guides cover king mackerel and the rest.

Trolling the BSF reef alley

The alley is the one structure off this port built specifically for this species. It sits on BSF, in 29 ft, 4 nautical miles east of Little Tybee Island.

Trolling the nearshore reefs

GON reports Spanish mackerel are fished off Tybee on the artificial reefs. SAV, DUA and KC add 3 more marks in 40 to 50 ft, 6 to 9 nautical miles out.

Who fishes for Spanish mackerel out of Savannah

These Savannah charters list Spanish mackerel.

Miss Judy Charters

Miss Judy Charters offshore trips list Spanish mackerel.

Reel ‘Em N Deep Sea Fishing Charters

The Reel Em N II is 43 ft with 700+ HP, takes up to 20 passengers and is rigged for fishing. Details are on the Reel ‘Em N charter site.

Tybee Island Charters

Its 4-hour offshore trips catch Spanish mackerel about 15 miles offshore, by the operator’s account. Its 21 ft Carolina Skiff is named the Flounder.

FAQ about Spanish mackerel fishing out of Savannah