Coastal River Charters

The weather pattern for the last several weeks has been high pressure over southeast. As a result, windy days with little rain. This is likely a record year for the lack of rain. Not a good record. Salty conditions can mean lots of shrimp and lots of seatrout. Nonetheless, rain is very much needed. Last week despite windy conditions seatrout are biting mostly around high tide. On the inside, around back barrier islands, there is a mixture of small males and roe seatrout. A few good catches of seatrout and redfish reported in the Savannah River but the bite has not been consistent. Flounders are showing up in good numbers with the best bite towards the sounds fishing around low tide. Some brown shrimp are in the heads of creeks but Don Adams says of Adams Bait House, the brown still have not come in.

Last week the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) held an annual Guide Meeting in Savannah at the Savannah Mall for fishing guides and any interested persons. Lots of good information out. Lots of folks are going to great efforts not only to put out information but to reach out the fishing community. One piece of pertinent information is that fishermen who charter will need to obtain a mandatory license guide license (in person) starting as of June 1st from either the Richmond Hill or Brunswick office. This license is addition to your personal fishing license. Fishermen can also purchase a voluntary license covering those fishing on their boat. Not many people like change but better managing our fishery is the future. Most people are in favor of more redfish. The DNR , GACCA and the Savannah Sport Fishing Club have combined efforts to “study the efficacity of stocking red drum of Georgia coast”. Basically this means these groups are trying to see if stocking red drum could be an effective way to boost our stock. I encourage those interested in red drum on our coast and in particular those fishing Savannah waters to turn in carcases at drop off points and to participate in the fin clipping project. For complete information on how to participate contact the Brunswick DNR office.

The weather looks like more of same till the latter half of the week. Starting about Thursday rain is expected. Till then expect high pressure to dominate with wind 10 to 20 miles out of the east. Local shrimp are not available. Local bait shops typically are stocking up (Florida shrimp) during the weekt. Bait shops can have plenty one day and out the next. Fishermen who like artificials will likely have less hassle and more fish. Tides are relatively small all week. Best fishing for seatrout likely be in areas where wind and tide are working together to create a better drift. Early morning can also be a good time to fish before the day heats up and the wind picks up. Best tide for seatrout is around high tide. Target flounder near low tide. Some redfish on the mud flats. Look for bait fish or birds to find fish. Those targeting cobia are having a banner year. Most of the action is centered around the Broad River in South Carolina. The last couple of years have been poor to fair for cobia. This year appears to be a very good one! Salty conditions also means sharks. Lots of bonnet head sharks in the creeks.

Hope this of help! Capt. Jack McGowan

Practice catch and release!

Last week was a pretty tough week for inshore fishing. Evening tides were unusually high. Day time low tide were in the negative range. Couple extreme tides with strong wind, smoke from the Ware county fire, and not much bait in local waters and that what local conditions were like. The fishing last week was a little like work. That said we still caught some nice fish. Monday was likely the fishiness day with constant seatrout, redfish and ladyfish action. Caught a couple of flounders as well. The bite became more difficult as the week progressed. The typical catch was four or five nice fish in four hours. We caught and released several small trout that might have measured. Most fish bit soft and tentatively. The bite can change with in a matter of hours. A soft bite today does not mean a soft bite tomorrow!

Don Adams, Adams Baithouse, has been buying shrimp from Florida. Florida shrimp are little smaller than what we’re use to but still a good hardy bait. When fishing Florida shrimp definitely look for the bigger shrimp your bucket. The lowly mud minnow is great Spring time bait as well. Flounder are starting to show up! We’re not catching a lot so far but likely averaging a flounder or two in addition to the seatrout and reds. The flounder bite will be heating up in the coming weeks! Redfish action has been slow but will likely be picking as well as tides subside and brown shrimp start appearing in local waters. Seatrout remain center stage with good catches near the sounds and in local rivers.

Despite drought conditions fishing near the flood gates has been slow. Some fat seatrout and reds are well upriver. When fishing areas with lots mullet. Try fishing mullet or mullet imitation lures. Drought conditions means salty water. Salty water means sharks. Fishermen should have little problem getting their line stretched by these toothy critters.

Fishing for the coming should be improving! Coming off of Spring tides, the current will be less and the water will be cleaner. Mild days with little wind will be a pleasure to fish regardless of the catch. The conditions will be much more auspicious for catching fish. When winds kick up windward shores can be hot spots to fish until they become to rough; then fish lee shores and protected waters.

Hope this of help! Capt. Jack McGowan

Practice catch and release

Plenty of action for the inshore fisherman last week! Seatrout biting in the creeks and rivers as well near the beach fronts! Several seatrout landed in excess of three pounds. Shrimp are in short supply. Some local bait shops are getting Florida shrimp. If you’re depending on shrimp, you better call ahead. Mud minnows are a great substitute for shrimp and usually can easily be obtained either from local bait shops or by setting a trap. There were reports of birds feeding on glass minnows. Blue fish were pushing the minnows to the surface. Birds find the minnows and fisherman find the birds. One fisherman said the blue fish action was non stop and “he can’t wait to target them with a fly!” In short lots of action – a dynamic food chain!

It’s obvious the Spring run of mullet in the Savannah River is taking place. Fishermen can see mullet jumping along the river banks. Fish feeding on mullet wont readily take a smaller bait. Bring your cast net! Fishing the bait that is most prominent can yield good results. Those who like eating smoked mullet now is the time to head up river!This looking a good year for cobia! One Savannah guide: Capt. Greg Davis and Larry Hartenhoff landed five in one outing! Great job! Most of the catches so far have come the Broad River in Carolina.

The redfish bite has been slow. A few good catches but for the most part redfish has been slow. When brown shrimp start making their arrival the redfish bite will likely heat up. At present the action on most flats has been slow. There have some good catches in local creeks. Likewise some flounder being caught but anticipate the flounder to pick as Spring progresses. Whiting action has been good. Sharks are becoming plentiful as temperature raise and salinity remains high.

On Sunday the Savannah area received some much needed rain. It was a slow drenching rain. Rain is critical for a healthy fishery. Rain water helps to balance the salinity and wash needed nutrients into the system. More rain is needed but thank goodness for the rain we’ve received. Wind in coastal fishing is a constant factor. The past week it seems as if we’ve received our share. Despite windy conditions many fishermen found good fish! Seatrout are taking center stage with several large catches and large fish being landed! Keep a few to eat and release the rest! Martha Stewart would say it’s not a good thing to load a boat with large roe trout. Keep a few if desired and release rest. These large roe represent next year crop of fish. Keep a few and release the rest – it’s a good thing!

Hope this of help!

Capt. Jack McGowan