Wahoo fishing out of Hilton Head Island means a run to the Gulf Stream, about 60 to 80 miles out. That distance shapes the whole trip, so the timing needs to be right before you commit the fuel and the early start.
Biology and tackle are covered in our wahoo species guide, and the Atlantic Southeast picture (see also the wider Atlantic Southeast guide) covers the wider coast. This page covers the port: the season window, the run, the structure off the island, the two local trolling methods and the charters that fish them. None of it promises fish. It is meant to help you decide when a long run is worth making.
When wahoo are off Hilton Head Island
Local operators fish wahoo here in the cooler part of the year. Two of them frame that window differently, and both are useful for planning.
| Source | Season framing |
|---|---|
| Tail Tamer Fishing Charters | January through mid April |
| A Live One | Cooler months, with winter, spring and fall best for Gulf Stream runs |
Tail Tamer’s window
Tail Tamer puts the wahoo season at January through mid April, the tighter of the two windows.
A Live One’s cooler months
A Live One points to the cooler months and calls winter, spring and fall best for Gulf Stream runs. Its own listing is on A Live One’s charter site.
The February series
The South Carolina Wahoo Series is usually held in February, which falls inside both operators’ windows. The Post and Courier has coverage of the South Carolina Wahoo Series.
The run to the Gulf Stream
Boats run to the Gulf Stream, about 60 to 80 miles out. Combined with the season window, the planning question becomes which day in the cooler months justifies the long run.
For departure planning, use NOAA tide station 8669167 at Port Royal Plantation, Hilton Head, per US Harbors. It is a tide station, not a buoy.
Before you go, check the NWS Charleston marine forecast for wind, wave height and period, and make your own call from the numbers.
Inlets, ramps and local conditions are in the Hilton Head port guide.
Settle these before the run:
- The window: Tail Tamer’s January through mid April, or A Live One’s cooler months.
- The distance: about 60 to 80 miles out to the Gulf Stream.
- The tide reference: NOAA tide station 8669167.
- The forecast: wind, wave height and period from the NWS marine forecast.
Named grounds and structure near Hilton Head
The table lists the named sites off the island from deepest to shallowest. The PA numbers are South Carolina DNR reef designations.
| Name | SC designation | Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Betsy Ross Reef | PA-44 | 90 |
| Eagle’s Nest Reef | PA-48 | 60 |
| Hilton Head Reef | PA-49 | 50 |
| Beaufort 45 Reef | PA-42 | 45 |
| White Water Reef | PA-47 | 30 |
| General Gordon Reef (wreck) | PA-41 | 18 |
| Gaskins Bank Wreck (wreck) | n/a | 10 |
| Fish America Reef | PA-45 | 9 |
For Beaufort 45, DNR gives coordinates only.
Chart Contours shows the bottom around these sites. Chart layers are not for navigation.
How wahoo are fished here
Local boats troll for wahoo, either at high speed or slowly.
High-speed trolling
High-speed trolling is one of the two local approaches.
Slow trolling
Slow trolling is the other. For details on the fish itself, see the species guide linked above.
Who fishes for wahoo out of Hilton Head
Two local charters list wahoo.
- Tail Tamer Fishing Charters: Capt. Terry Hall runs daily trips from the company dock at Broad Creek Marina.
- Above and Below Charters (Salty Mistress Sport Fishing): The boat is a 2002 Rampage 38 Express with twin Caterpillar diesels.
The South Carolina Wahoo Series, usually in February, draws boats to this fishery. The same boats fish other offshore gamefish through the year.
FAQ: wahoo fishing out of Hilton Head Island
When is wahoo season out of Hilton Head?
Tail Tamer puts the season at January through mid April. A Live One points to the cooler months and calls winter, spring and fall best for Gulf Stream runs.
How far is the Gulf Stream from Hilton Head?
About 60 to 80 miles out.
How do local boats fish for wahoo?
They troll, using either high-speed trolling or slow trolling.
Which charters out of Hilton Head target wahoo?
Tail Tamer Fishing Charters lists wahoo, with Capt. Terry Hall running daily trips from Broad Creek Marina. Above and Below Charters (Salty Mistress Sport Fishing) also lists wahoo and runs a 2002 Rampage 38 Express with twin Caterpillar diesels.
Is there a wahoo tournament here?
Yes. The South Carolina Wahoo Series, usually held in February.
What tide station should I use for departures?
NOAA tide station 8669167 at Port Royal Plantation, Hilton Head, per US Harbors.
