The inshore bite has been a little up and down. Overall, the sheepshead has been good but as conditions changed with spring tide and the general movement of sheepshead from inshore to offshore the bite has stalled. Some inshore sheepshead have been caught on the lower tide stages as well redfish. When large tides abate the bite will likely pick up. The overall bite this winter has been good with reports of limits of seatrout taken south of Savannah on soft plastics such on christmas tree curl tails and pink 1/4 ounce DOA shrimp. Those finding seatrout pitching soft plastics are working the baits slowly. Other fishermen have found seatrout in the heads of creeks. Typically fishing a head of creek is best at low incoming. Those fishing cork rig will set the rig so the bait is barely off the bottom. Structure close by can soak up heat and on low water radiate warmth on the incoming tide. Soft plastics can work well in those situations as well as bait.
Bandy’s baitshop has been able to find some live shrimp. Brad Stewart, Stewart’s Bait & Tackle is carrying fiddler crabs but call ahead to make sure the crabs are on hand or the doors are open. The shop is on their winter schedule, so call ahead. Stewart’s number is 912.786.7472.
Most of striper fishing in Savannah river has been on days with smaller tides fishing structure on high incoming and outgoing tide. A few fishermen have found stripers fishing docks and pilings during the late afternoon and evening. The numbers were good but favorable conditions has been infrequent. For your best chance of success take some live shrimp. If you aerate your shrimp in river water they’ll quickly die (probably due to low salinity). Keep your bait in an aerated insulated (pre warmed bucket) bucket. Your shrimp might last only a cast or two which could produce a fish. Some fishermen were saying shrimp is all the stripers would eat and would not touch a finger mullet or mud minnow. If possible, having a variety of baits is always good no matter what fish you are targeting. Shrimp are typically hard to come this time of year. Shrimp are a favorite bait on the Georgia/Carolina coast. If you find some it could not hurt to have some on board.
I hope this of interest and help!
Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan, Coastal River Charters
