Private Ocean Reef Fishing in Folly Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private offshore fishing for up to six anglers aboard 24' bay boatTarget Cobia, Sharks, Bull Reds, Grouper, and various reef speciesAll tackle and fishing licenses included with trip booking
Looking for a serious offshore fishing adventure without the crowds? This private reef fishing trip puts you right where the big fish live, targeting some of South Carolina's most sought-after species in waters that consistently produce trophy catches. Whether you're after your first cobia or chasing that personal best red snapper, these productive reef systems off Folly Beach deliver the kind of action that keeps anglers talking long after they've headed home.
Your day starts early as we head out on a top-rated 24-foot bay boat built for comfort and serious fishing. The ride to the reef systems takes about 30-45 minutes depending on conditions, giving you time to rig up and get your head in the game. These aren't your typical nearshore spots – we're talking structure-rich bottom in 40-80 feet of water where the fish stack up thick. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so we're not wasting time searching around. All your tackle and licenses are handled, from circle hooks and heavy sinkers for bottom fishing to lighter setups when the cobia show up mid-water. Groups of two work perfectly on this boat, giving everyone plenty of room to fight fish without tangling lines.
Bottom fishing is the bread and butter out here, and we'll have you dropping heavy rigs loaded with cut bait right to the structure where snapper, grouper, and black sea bass call home. Fresh squid, cigar minnows, and cut blue runners are the go-to baits that produce consistent bites. When the cobia start cruising, we switch gears completely – sight fishing with live bait or heavy jigs that can handle these powerful fish. The key is staying flexible since reef fishing means adapting to what's biting. Some days the spadefish are so thick you can barely get through them to reach the bottom, other days the sharks move in and you're in for some serious drag-screaming action. Circle hooks are mandatory for most species, and we'll show you the proper technique to ensure solid hookups and safe releases when needed.
King mackerel are the speed demons of this fishery, and summer months bring some of the best action we see all year. These fish hit fast and fight harder, often making multiple blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Most kings we're seeing range from 15-30 pounds, with the occasional smoker pushing 40-plus. They love live bait presented on quick-pitch rigs, and the bite usually peaks during moving water. What makes kings special is their unpredictability – one minute you're bottom fishing for snapper, next minute a king crushes your bait and takes off for the horizon.
Redfish, or bull reds as we call the big ones, show up year-round but really shine in fall and spring. These copper-colored bruisers average 25-35 pounds and fight with a steady, bulldogging power that'll wear you out. They're not the fastest fish, but they're relentless. Bull reds love fresh cut mullet and blue crab, and they'll often feed right on the reef edges where structure meets sand. The slot-size fish make excellent table fare, while the big bulls are usually catch-and-release warriors that give you stories worth telling.
Greater amberjack are the reef bullies – thick-bodied fish that use the structure to their advantage during the fight. These fish commonly run 20-50 pounds and have an annoying habit of heading straight for the rocks when hooked. They're most active during cooler months and absolutely hammer vertical jigs and live bait. Amberjack have incredible stamina, and landing one from deep structure is a real test of angling skill. The meat is excellent when properly prepared, and they're one of the most reliable species on these offshore reefs.
Cobia are the wild cards that make every trip exciting. These curious, shark-like fish cruise the reefs looking for easy meals and often approach the boat for a closer look. Spring and early summer offer the best cobia fishing, with fish ranging from 20-60 pounds. They'll eat just about anything – live bait, jigs, even topwater plugs when they're feeding aggressively. Cobia are incredible table fare and fight with a combination of power and endurance that challenges even experienced anglers.
Red snapper remain the most popular target for good reason – they're plentiful, fight well for their size, and taste incredible. Most snapper we catch run 2-8 pounds, perfect for the dinner table. They're year-round residents on these reefs and respond well to fresh cut bait fished tight to the bottom. The key is getting through the smaller fish to reach the quality snapper, which often hold in specific spots on the reef structure. Current flow and bait presentation are crucial for consistent snapper success.
This private reef fishing setup gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace while targeting some of the most sought-after species in South Carolina waters. With all tackle and licenses included, you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. The 4-8 hour options let you customize your trip based on experience level and how hard you want to fish. Weather and seasons affect the bite, but these reef systems produce action year-round for anglers willing to adapt their techniques. Book your private ocean reef fishing adventure and experience why Folly Beach consistently ranks among the Southeast's premier fishing destinations.
Your fishing platform for these Folly Beach waters is a 2014 24-foot Pathfinder center console that's built to handle offshore reef fishing with ease. This bay boat runs on a reliable 300HP Yamaha outboard that'll get you to the productive fishing grounds at a solid 35 knots, so you're spending more time with lines in the water instead of just getting there. The center console layout gives everyone clear access to the rails when you're fighting fish, and with space for up to six anglers, there's room to move around without getting tangled up. The boat comes equipped with a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, plus GPS navigation to mark those honey holes you'll want to revisit. A wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over reefs without spooking the fish below. Whether you're targeting bottom dwellers like grouper and snapper around the structure or looking for cruising cobia and bull reds, this Pathfinder handles the offshore conditions while keeping you stable for landing fish. The open deck design makes it easy to manage multiple rods and gives you the flexibility to fish different techniques as conditions change throughout your trip.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are unique fish that often get mistaken for sharks due to their dark brown color and single dorsal fin. These solitary hunters average 30-50 pounds but can reach over 80 pounds. We find them cruising around buoys, wrecks, and reefs in 30-70 feet of water, especially during spring migration and summer months. What makes cobia special is they're curious fish - they'll often swim right up to the boat to investigate. They're also phenomenal table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any fish in our waters. The fight is strong and determined, not flashy but powerful. We typically sight fish for them, looking for that dark torpedo shape just under the surface. Best baits are bucktail jigs, live eels, or large swimbaits. Local secret: when you see one, stay calm and make your cast count - they spook easily but if you hook one, there's often another nearby since they sometimes travel in pairs during spawning season.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bruisers of our offshore reefs, averaging 20-40 pounds with fish over 60 pounds not uncommon. These bluish-grey fighters with that distinctive amber stripe love deep structure - wrecks, reefs, and oil rigs where they ambush prey. Spring and summer provide the best fishing when they're most active in our area. What makes them special is their incredible pulling power - they'll test your tackle and endurance with long, powerful runs toward structure. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking. We typically find them in 60-200 feet of water around hard bottom. The key is getting your bait down fast - they're not picky eaters and will hit live bait, jigs, or large spoons. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and try to turn their head away from structure immediately, or they'll cut you off every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are fast, aggressive predators that average around 30 pounds, though we see fish pushing 50+ pounds regularly. They cruise the 40-150 foot depths around our reefs and wrecks, especially during spring and fall migrations when water temps hit that sweet 68-84°F range. These fish are built for speed - only wahoo can match their runs. What makes them special is that explosive first strike and the screaming drag that follows. They're excellent eating with firm, flavorful meat, though bigger fish can have higher mercury levels. Best technique is trolling with wire leaders since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through anything else. Local tip: use a stinger hook setup when live baiting - kings love to hit the tail end of bait fish, so that second treble hook back near the tail saves a lot of missed fish.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of our deeper reefs, typically running 2-8 pounds with occasional fish pushing 15+ pounds. These bright red bottom dwellers live around hard structure in 80-200 feet of water where they feed on smaller fish and crustaceans. Summer months offer the best action during open season, though regulations change yearly so we stay current on dates and limits. What guests love is the steady, determined fight and the fact that they're arguably the best eating fish in our waters - sweet, firm meat that's perfect for any preparation. They're smart fish that require finesse, especially the bigger ones. We typically use live or fresh cut bait on heavy tackle since they live near structure that can break you off. Pro tip: when you feel that distinctive snapper bite, don't jerk hard - just lift firmly and keep steady pressure. They have soft mouths and too much force will pull the hook right out.
Sciaenops OcellatusBull reds are some of the most sought-after fish we target, typically running 28-35 inches with the big females pushing 45+ inches and 50 pounds. They love shallow structure - jetties, oyster beds, and around our local reefs where they cruise looking for crabs and baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active in our warmer waters. What guests love most is the powerful, bulldogging fight these fish put up. They don't jump much, but they'll drag you around the boat. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. The distinctive black spots near their tail make them easy to identify. My go-to tip: when fishing around structure, use a Carolina rig with live or cut bait and let it sit near the bottom - these fish are opportunistic feeders and will hammer a well-presented bait.
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