Wahoo fishing out of Folly Beach means a long run past the nearshore reefs to Comanche Reef or the Gulf Stream edge, which begins around 70 miles offshore. The reef program and landmarks near the inlet help with orientation, but the wahoo water sits well beyond them. This page covers when the fish are around, the structure in run order with depths and distances, and which charters list wahoo, so you can plan your run from Folly Beach.
When wahoo are off Folly Beach
Wahoo off Folly are a late spring and summer fishery. That matches the wider pattern of wahoo across the Atlantic Southeast (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide), and research places wahoo in South Carolina spring and summer.
Late spring
The Folly guide points to late spring as the window for wahoo out of this port, so that is when to plan a first run.
Summer
Local charters, Atlantic Breeze Charters among them, list wahoo as a summer fish, so the fishery continues after late spring.
Where boats run for wahoo
The inshore structure is useful for orientation. The wahoo water starts at Comanche Reef (105 ft) and the Gulf Stream edge. Every distance below is approximate, and chart layers are not for navigation.
Inshore landmarks and reefs
Working outward, in this order:
- Folly Beach Fishing Pier artificial reef: 15 ft, an inshore reference.
- Charleston Harbor Jetties: at the Charleston Harbor inlet, a reference point only.
- Morris Island Lighthouse area: a short boat ride north of Folly Beach.
- Capers Artificial Reef: 40 ft, about 12 miles east of the Charleston Harbor Jetties.
The 15 ft and 40 ft reefs are orientation points and are not wahoo water. The pier, Capers and Charleston 60′ reefs all sit within the state artificial reef program.
Charleston 60′ Reef
This reef sits in 60 ft, about 15 miles offshore. It is a waypoint on the run out rather than a place to fish for wahoo.
Comanche Reef
Comanche Reef sits in 105 ft, farther offshore than Charleston 60′ Reef. It is the first named ground where boats fish for wahoo.
The Gulf Stream edge
The Gulf Stream edge begins around 70 miles offshore. It is the longest leg of the run, and the distance largely decides whether a trip goes. The same trips put other offshore gamefish in play.
| Ground | Depth | Distance/position | Role on a wahoo trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folly Beach Fishing Pier artificial reef | 15 ft | – | Inshore reference, not wahoo water |
| Charleston Harbor Jetties | – | At the Charleston Harbor inlet | Landmark |
| Morris Island Lighthouse area | – | A short boat ride north of Folly Beach | Landmark |
| Capers Artificial Reef | 40 ft | About 12 miles east of the Charleston Harbor Jetties | Waypoint, not wahoo water |
| Charleston 60′ Reef | 60 ft | About 15 miles offshore | Waypoint on the run |
| Comanche Reef | 105 ft | Farther offshore than Charleston 60′ Reef | Wahoo ground |
| Gulf Stream edge | – | Begins around 70 miles offshore | Wahoo ground |
Mark each ground as a waypoint, in run order, before you leave the dock.
How wahoo are fished from this port
Boats run past the nearshore reefs and work Comanche Reef and the Gulf Stream edge. For trolling technique and wahoo biology, see the trolling technique and wahoo biology guide. Before the run, read wind in knots, wave height in feet and period in seconds from the NWS marine forecast, and check it again before committing to the long leg.
Who fishes for wahoo out of Folly Beach
Two charters near Folly list wahoo, but only one of them is a Folly Beach operator.
Atlantic Breeze Charters
Atlantic Breeze lists wahoo among its offshore targets and as a summer fish. See its Atlantic Breeze offshore charters page.
Stovepipe Fishing
Stovepipe runs from Bohicket Marina, serving Kiawah and Seabrook, on a 2005 45-foot Cabo sportfisher. It is not a Folly Beach operator.
FAQ
When is the best wahoo fishing out of Folly Beach?
Late spring, per the Folly guide. Local charters also list wahoo as a summer fish.
How far is the Gulf Stream from Folly Beach?
The Gulf Stream edge begins around 70 miles offshore. It is the longest leg of any wahoo run from this port.
Does Comanche Reef hold wahoo?
Boats run there for wahoo short of the Gulf Stream. It sits in 105 ft, farther out than Charleston 60′ Reef.
Are the nearshore reefs wahoo spots?
No. The Folly Pier reef (15 ft) and Capers Artificial Reef (40 ft) are orientation points. Charleston 60′ Reef (60 ft, about 15 miles) is a waypoint on the way out.
Which charters near Folly list wahoo?
Atlantic Breeze Charters lists wahoo. Stovepipe Fishing also lists wahoo, but it runs from Bohicket Marina and is not a Folly Beach operator.
Where are the wahoo rules?
Check the South Carolina DNR rules and the federal dolphin and wahoo rules from NOAA Fisheries before fishing.
