Inshore Fishing Report Savannah, GA./Tybee Island, GA. 2023

Inshore Fishing Report Savannah Late Summer, GA./Tybee Island, GA. 2023

So far this the sea trout has been a little off. A good sign there are lots of small sea trout showing up in the inlets. As summer winds down sea trout and redfish are keying on shrimp. It’s not unusual this time of the year for fishermen to go through a quart of live shrimp on small sea trout and redfish in short order. When small fish are present fishing a piece of cut bait or pitching a soft can work up some nice fish. During the summer months the better sea trout is early in the morning before nature heats up.

Although the sea trout has been off there have plenty of small sea trout showing up so likely by fall and into winter a better sea trout will happen. Redfish numbers look pretty good. Bait shrimpers have been consistently finding shrimp. When shrimp are plentiful fish will follow the bait. Often during the first or second week of September there is a subtle break in the weather that gives way to a fall bite. At present this year’s class of redfish are still mostly a little undersized. Most year’s by early September this year’s class of redfish will already be legal size. It’s looking another three or four weeks before this year’s class of redfish are legal. Black drum while not widely distributed their numbers are looking pretty good. It might be difficult to target just black drum but on smaller tides fishing around dock pilings it’s possible to catch some quality fish.

Our flounder bite has dropped off but late summer can be good time to catch some around sandy bottom inlets on an incoming tide and around gullies on an outgoing tide. Whiting a small favorite fish found along the sandbars can bite well on days with tides aren’t too large with a small piece of dead shrimp or cut bait. Our whiting bite hasn’t been as robust this year as other year’s but it’s still possible to catch as mess. Croakers which weren’t numerous can be nuisance when trying to catch some whiting. If this happen just look for another spot. Fishing a croacker might result in a large ocean red drum or black tip shark.

Those targeting tarpon have done well when conditions have allowed fishermen to fish the outer sandbars and inlets. Some tarpon can be found well inland. These tarpon are in deep holes in the creeks as water pushes in sea trout and ladyfish can be found working points likewise tarpon might be working the sea trout and ladyfish. Often when fish for sea trout and reds you might be rewarded with a shot at a big ocean red or tarpon.

Jack crevalles have been popping in the rivers and sounds. The ones we’ve seen have been small. Some fishermen will target these fish on a fly rod or with large lures. These are strong fighting fish that can provide a fun tug. Triple tail likewise are strong fighting fish often found close to structure like a range marker or other structure. Typically those targeting triple tails off of Savannah will “run and gun” to several near shore structure with fish showing up on one of these structures. One fisherman says when you see the shrimp boats off the coast it’s time to look for triple tail. Generally a popping float rig with a live shrimp is the preferred method for fishing for these fish.

Although the bite in Savannah ia still in summer pattern we’ve already had a break in the weather and some good bites and the fall bite is just around the corner. I hope this of interest and help!

Hope to see you on the water!

Fish On!

Capt. Jack McGowan
Coastal River Charters