South Carolina · Grand Strand
KING MACKEREL FISHING
IN GEORGETOWN
Georgetown is a solid destination for king mackerel fishing, with good fishing in May, October. Book a charter and target king mackerel with local experts.
About King Mackerel Fishing in Georgetown
Also called Kingfish. A fast, hard-fighting fish found near reefs and wrecks. Popular for smoking.
King Mackerel — called "Kingfish" or "Kings" — are fast, hard-fighting predators found from the Gulf to the mid-Atlantic. These streamlined fish are built for speed, with a silver body, iridescent blue-green back, and a deeply forked tail. The lateral line dips sharply downward below the second dorsal fin, distinguishing kings from similar species. They are voracious feeders that attack bait at incredible speed, making hookups explosive.
Scientific name: Scomberomorus cavalla
King Mackerel Seasonal Calendar — Georgetown
Month-by-month availability for king mackerel in Georgetown, SC.
How to Catch King Mackerel in Georgetown
Techniques & Bait
Slow-trolling live bait is the classic technique — rigging large live blue runners, goggle-eyes, or threadfin herring on stinger rigs (a lead hook through the nose and a trailing treble near the tail) and slow-trolling near reef edges, wrecks, and temperature breaks. Dead bait (cigar minnows, ribbonfish) rigged on king mackerel "stinger" rigs trolled with a duster or sea witch produce well. Casting live bait to visible surface-feeding schools is exciting. Fast-trolling with spoons (Drone, Clark) and planers covers water efficiently.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-heavy spinning or conventional rod (7 ft), 5000+ reel, 20-30 lb braid, long wire leader (single-strand #5-#7 or multi-strand wire — kings have razor teeth that cut fluorocarbon).
Best Nearshore Fishing Spots in Georgetown
Top spots where local captains target king mackerel and other nearshore species.
Georgetown Jetties
The rock jetties flanking the entrance to Winyah Bay create a major nearshore fishing destination where ocean currents meet the bay's tidal outflow. Sheepshead, black drum, flounder, and mangrove snapper live among the submerged rocks, while Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and tarpon cruise the adjacent waters. The jetties are one of the most productive nearshore structure-fishing spots on the South Carolina coast.
Georgetown Reef (AR-340)
The AR-340 artificial reef site lies roughly four miles offshore of Georgetown in approximately 40 feet of water. Deployed concrete rubble, reef balls, and steel structures attract black sea bass, sheepshead, spadefish, and flounder throughout the year. Its proximity to the inlet makes it one of the most accessible nearshore reef sites for Georgetown-based boats.
The Mud Banks
The Mud Banks extend off the coast just outside Winyah Bay, creating a shallow nearshore area where the bay's nutrient-rich outflow attracts schools of baitfish. Spanish mackerel, bluefish, king mackerel, and cobia patrol the edges of the discolored water where it meets the clearer ocean. Trolling and live-bait fishing along the color change produces consistent action from spring through fall.
North Inlet
North Inlet is a small, pristine tidal inlet northeast of Georgetown that connects Baruch Marine Lab's research reserve to the Atlantic. Flounder, sheepshead, redfish, and black drum hold around the inlet's rock structure and sand bars. The area's protected status as a research reserve ensures minimal fishing pressure and a healthy, thriving fish population.
Other Species in Georgetown
More fish you can target while visiting Georgetown.
King Mackerel Fishing in Georgetown — FAQ
King Mackerel fishing in Georgetown is productive during May, October.
King Mackerel fishing charters in Georgetown are typically nearshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Slow-trolling live bait is the classic technique — rigging large live blue runners, goggle-eyes, or threadfin herring on stinger rigs (a lead hook through the nose and a trailing treble near the tail) and slow-trolling near reef edges, wrecks, and temperature breaks. Dead bait (cigar minnows, ribbonfish) rigged on king mackerel "stinger" rigs trolled with a duster or sea witch produce well. Casting live bait to visible surface-feeding schools is exciting. Fast-trolling with spoons (Drone, Clark) and planers covers water efficiently.
No — when you book a charter in Georgetown, your captain provides all required South Carolina fishing licenses as part of the trip.
King Mackerel regulations in South Carolina include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting King Mackerel in Georgetown, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Cobia, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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