Inshore Fishing Early Fall 2019 – Savannah, Ga.
Despite several late summer hot days; the season is quickly changing and the bite is looking good! Large red drum are marauding the beachfront in search of finger mullet and pogiies. Pier fishermen in recent days have caught and released several large red drum in stout northeasters.
Late season tarpon can still be found around creek mouths, sloughs and along outer sand bars. Often these late season tarpon are largest of the year. On recent a sea trout trip we spent the last hour looking for something big. Warsaw sound is renown for sharks – mostly black tip, spinners, bull, sand bar, lemons as well small sharks. While catching whiting the shark rod exploded with an 8ft tiger shark. For Warsaw sounds this is pretty unusual. Typically tiger sharks will found offshore on some of the wrecks not in the sounds. But with warm conditions and plenty of bait top end predator can push in.
The redfish bite is looking good. We’re seeing lots of schoolie reds (14 to 18 inches). Warm water temperature means there lots of little fish still in local waters. Fishermen using shrimp as there primary bait will need to have an ample supply. Local bait shops are doing a good job in staying stocked with bait. However, bait dealers are saying shrimp are becoming harder to find. Shrimp are on the move. Shrimp are moving from the sounds to the creeks and rivers. One indicator of shrimp on the move are shrimp with red legs. As conditions begin to cool down. Bait (shrimp) will batch up and move into local creeks and rivers. As bait moves in the fish (trout and reds) will follow. We’re some schooling of sea trout and reds but conditions are still warm and the best fishing is yet to come.
Those pitching plastics would do better pitching a 3 or 10X plastics. Plastics that are nearly indestructible for small fish. My favorite patterns are curtail and sea shads in pearl white or new penny. White will imitate finger mullet. New penny will imitate shrimp. Other early fall fish could be ladyfish, bluefish and black drum. Ladyfish are a fun fish to catch but can quickly turn into a leader busting messy fish that can fight to the death. Ladyfish are similar to sea trout in that they are both sight feeding predator fish. Ladyfish are just more efficient. As far a bait goes it would be hard to find a better big fish bait than a ladyfish. Tarpon and sharks will devour a ladyfish. A chunk of ladyfish or a small one on a circle hook can produce savage hits.
Several fishermen have said last spring and summer produced some of the best flounder remembered. So far this early fall we’re catching some flounders on white curtails but redfish are providing most of the acton. As fall progresses anticipate sea trout to take center stage.
For the last several seasons we’re seeing more black drum. The size limit when up from 10 inches to 14 inches now we’re seeing more black drum in the 3 to 5 pound range.
Fishing in Savannah (on the Georgia coast) is looking good! Cooler conditions will not make fishing more comfortable and fishier.
I hope this is of interest and help!
Fish On!
Jack
Capt. Jack McGowan
www.coastalrivercharetrs.com
