Deep Sea Fishing on Hilton Head Island
Deep sea fishing from Hilton Head means three different trips: reefs a few miles out, wrecks and live bottom farther offshore, and the Gulf Stream. Here is how far each one runs and what bites.
Today's Tides
See the full Hilton Head tide chart →Book a Deep Sea Fishing Trip
Offshore and reef trips from Hilton Head, with live availability from each captain’s booking system.
Booked through FareHarbor, the island operators’ own booking system. HHI.com may earn a commission.
How Far Out: Reefs, Wrecks and the Gulf Stream
“Deep sea” covers three kinds of trip. The distance sets the boat, the length of the day and the fish.
Nearshore reefs
A few miles to about 20 miles out
The most common deep sea fishing trip from Hilton Head runs to the artificial reefs. Fish America sits about 2.5 miles out, and Betsy Ross Reef, built on a sunken 440-foot Liberty ship, is about 18 to 20 miles out of Port Royal Sound. Black sea bass, snapper, king and Spanish mackerel, barracuda and cobia hold on the structure. A half day covers it.
Offshore wrecks and live bottom
About 30 to 60 miles out
Past the reefs, captains fish natural live bottom and wrecks, including the Navy towers about 50 to 60 miles out. The fish are larger there: grouper, amberjack, big snapper and king mackerel. It takes a bigger boat and a longer day.
The Gulf Stream
60 miles and beyond
Real blue-water fishing for mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna and sailfish. The run alone is long, so these are full-day trips on a larger boat. Book one with a captain who runs it regularly, and ask about the sea conditions before you go.
Deep Sea Species by Season
The reefs fish all year. What changes with the water temperature is which fish are on them, and whether the Gulf Stream is worth the run.
Spring
March to May
Cobia show up in late April and May, and king mackerel and barracuda work the wrecks. Black sea bass and snapper stay on the reefs.
Summer
June to August
Amberjack, cobia, and Spanish and king mackerel nearshore. The Gulf Stream is at its best for mahi, wahoo, tuna and sailfish.
Fall and winter
September to February
Bottom fishing is the trip: snapper, grouper, triggerfish and black sea bass on the reefs and live bottom, when the weather allows the run.
What to Know Before You Book
License: anyone aboard a hired charter boat can fish without a personal South Carolina saltwater license. A private angler 16 and older needs one.
Trip length: the offshore trips listed above run about 4.5 to 5.5 hours. A Gulf Stream trip is a full day.
Seasickness: the water is rougher past the sounds. Take medicine before you leave the dock, not after.
Weather: offshore runs depend on the sea state, so ask the captain about the forecast when you book. Tide times are on our tide page.
Gear and bait: the captains supply rods, tackle and bait on the charter trips. Bring sunscreen, a hat, drinks and a cooler for the catch.
Want a shorter trip, or fishing inside the sounds? The fishing charter guide lists every captain and dock, and the shark fishing page covers the shark trips.
Captains Who Run Offshore Trips
Most deep sea boats leave from Shelter Cove Harbour, Palmetto Bay Marina and Broad Creek Marina. The full charter guide lists every captain by dock.
Captain Hook at Shelter Cove Harbour: a 70-foot party fishing boat with 5.5-hour offshore trips, inshore shark fishing and a Tuesday fireworks trip.
Gone Fishing HHI sells inshore, nearshore, private offshore and shark fishing charters on Hilton Head Island, with live dates to book online.
Drifter Excursions runs a 60-foot party fishing boat and private charters from Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head. See the boats, trips and book online.
Sweet Pea Fishing runs private inshore, nearshore and offshore charters from Hudson's dock on Skull Creek. See trip lengths, rates and book online.
More on Fishing
Book charter fishing on Hilton Head Island: inshore, offshore and shark trips, with every captain listed by dock at the island's four marinas.
Shark fishing on Hilton Head Island is a charter-boat trip. See the species and season, South Carolina size and bag rules, and the captains who run trips.
Hilton Head fishing, season by season: inshore redfish, deep sea trips, surf fishing, free piers and crabbing, plus licenses, bait shops and charters.
Hilton Head tide chart: today's and tomorrow's high and low tides for Coligny Beach and the ocean beaches, Calibogue Sound and creeks, plus a 30-day calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far offshore do deep sea fishing trips go from Hilton Head?
Reef trips go a few miles to about 20 miles out. Offshore wrecks and live bottom are about 30 to 60 miles out, and Gulf Stream trips run 60 miles and beyond.
What can you catch deep sea fishing off Hilton Head?
Black sea bass, snapper, king and Spanish mackerel, barracuda and cobia on the reefs, grouper and amberjack on the wrecks, and mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna and sailfish in the Gulf Stream.
What is the best time of year for deep sea fishing on Hilton Head?
Late spring through summer has the widest range, with cobia from late April and Gulf Stream fish in summer. Bottom fishing on the reefs runs through the cooler months.
Do you need a fishing license on a deep sea charter?
No. South Carolina does not require a personal saltwater license for anyone fishing aboard a hired charter boat. Private anglers 16 and older need one.
How long is a deep sea fishing trip from Hilton Head?
The offshore trips listed above run 4.5 to 5.5 hours. A Gulf Stream trip is a full day.
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