Inshore Fishing Report Savannah, GA./Hilton Head, SC – Late summer 2024

Inshore Fishing Report Savannah, GA./Hilton Head, SC. – Late Summer 2024

Most will agree its been a hot summer. Afternoon thunderstorms have been the norm. When temperatures have dropped to the mid 80’s those working outside will appreciate the break. Although its only late August we’re already seeing the first sign of fall but summer has not loosened it’s grip on the coast yet.

The bite on the coast has been pretty good! Those fishing for tarpon have done well when conditions have allowed for fishing outer sandbars and sloughs around our barrier islands. Wind and rough conditions have limited opportunities but when fishermen have been able to get out folks have done well. Earlier this summer it was typical to see a few boats is the South Channel looking for some jacks to pop up. Fishing for jack crevalle seems more opportunistic with fisherman waiting for a small school to pop then pitching a live bait, artificial or fly at the fish. Jack are strong fighters and in recent years a few fishermen have kept a jack or two to eat. Growing up jacks were considered a bloody fish and mostly used by crabbers as bait. Now days you do hear of some people eating a jack. A jack is strong fighting fish and will literally fight itself to exhaustion. So if you don’t plan on keeping the fish try shorten your fight.

Right now we’re seeing good numbers young of this year redfish (this year’s crop) as well good numbers of small sea trout. Most of these fish small are still an inch or two from keeper size but with ample rain these young fish will growing quickly. Shrimp are thick in the creeks. Ample rain means this year’s crop of white shrimp will be growing rapidly as well. The Ogeechee river near Savannah experienced significant flooding issues from tropical storm Debbie. No doubt too much water. Some fishermen immediately following the tropical storm sought out saltier water fishing areas around the beachfront. Despite low salinity and high storm we caught fish towards the bottom of the tide.

As Labor Day approaches many associate this with the beginning of fall. Typically on the coast late summer/early fall redfish are the first to bite followed by sea trout later in the fall. During the summer you can catch some nice sea trout usually this means heading early before conditions get too hot. On most summer days our best fishing has been before 10:30am. Another alternative is to fish late in the day but during the summer there is often the possibility of an afternoon pop up thunderstorm. Redfish have been pretty consistent this summer. Most of our fish have on dead or live shrimp and soft plastics. During the summer it’s possible to catch some schools of fish or might you just have to pick off one or two here and there.

With warm weather there are lots of small fish (croaker, pin fish and the like) around. If you’re throwing a cast for shrimp. You might want to put a few more shrimp in your bait tank due to number of trash fish. Right now it seems like the reds are primarily feeding on shrimp. Earlier finger were working well but to date live and shrimp seems to be the favorite . There are plenty of finger mullet showing up in the creeks and its always good to present another bait if what you’re presenting isn’t working. When pitching soft plastics you might go through several due to large number of bluefish around. Often keeping a couple of pinfish or ladyfish can be a good whole or cut bait alternative and could help bring a day around when the fish aren’t biting.

All indications as summer begins to draw to a close small redfish and sea trout are daily getting a litter bigger. Early September (late summer) can also be a good time to catch a few flounder. Mudminnows and finger mullet are favorite flounder baits as a 3 inch Glup swimming mullet pitch on a 1/8 or 1/4ounce jig.

Hope this is of interest and help and I see you on the water!

Fish On! Capt. Jack