Inshore Fishing Report – Late Winter 2024 Savannah, GA., Tybee Island, GA., Hilton Head, S.C.

Winter is quickly slipping by. Thus far we’ve had a relatively mild winter. Some days have been breezy, a few cold days but for the most part the weather been pretty good.

During the winter it’s not usual to see fewer boats on the water. One local bait shrimper is still finder shrimp in local waters. This is a little unusual for this time of the year. Typically bait shops that are finding shrimp are running south of Savannah. Finding bait locally is good but that can change in a day. Other winter time baits besides live shrimp are mud minnows, fiddler crabs and of of course not to be forgotten a simply piece of dead shrimp or cut bait. For redfish a piece of cut bait or dead shrimp is hard to beat.

Cold water and abrupt salinity changes can quickly kill a fishermen live shrimp. Sometimes taking a few precautions with your bait could be the difference between a bait well full of live shrimp or not. One precaution could be not drawing in river water to your live well but simply aerating the water in your tank and slowing the speed of the water circulating through your system. The ideas to extend the life of your bait are practically endless.

Winter time can be a good time for pitching artificial for redfish. An old favorite is the DOA red/gold glitter 1/4oz. shrimp. I’m not fixed on one lure. I am fixed on something you can make long casts with and lands softly. Our winter bite has been pretty good. We’re still seeing schoolie (15 to 17in.) redfish. There was likely a later spawn (offshore) last year. There have been good reports of sea trout as well black drum being caught. Recently we caught a couple of nice black drum on the beachfront. For black drum a very soft bite could produce a 10 lb. fish. You never know. Sheepshead and stripers are both winter time favorites. Our striper fishery has been rebounding the last several years. So far we’re not or striper bite. Sheepshead are both an inshore and offshore fish. It’s possible to fish several sheepshead spots and not find fish due to the fish moving offshore (in winter) to spawn. Sheepshead will move back and forth from inshore to offshore. Spots can heat up and cool down quickly. Small tides are a generally favorited as the best sheepshead tides. You need some water moving but a lot.

During the winter keep an eye on the marine forecasts. Foggy morning can keep fishermen on the dock waiting for the fog to break. Don’t think even with radar you can penetrate the fog fearlessly. Sticking a boat on a mudflat or worse can easily happen. When in doubt slow down.

Fishing a flat with artificials, fly or bait on a low incoming afternoon tide could work well. The warmer water of the flat can help hold bait and attract fish. Fishing the heads of creeks is another winter time strategy. In winter its best to lower your expectation. It’s possible to find some really good fishing If you’re seeing mullet getting knocked out of the water it’s likely there “good” fish under them. Remember winter fishing can be tricky a poor cast slamming the water could send a large school of fish scurrying not to be seen again.

As always the main point is have a good time, be safe, courteous to fellow boaters and fishermen.

Thank you very much! Hope to see you on the water!

Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan, Coastal River Charters