We currently experiencing colder weather than had in recent weeks. Nonetheless even as cold set in there have been good reports of seatrout in the Savannah River as well as around Isle of Hope. Most of the seatrout action has been on jigs. A recent favorite is the 4inch tsunami black mullet pitched under a float or by itself. As the cold persists the seatrout action will slow. Schooling redfish can be found along mud flats. Schooling redfish can give fly fishermen and those pitching jerk worms plenty of opportunities to catch fish in cold water. In cold water redfish will hold sometimes until a boat is almost on top of them. .Fish that aren’t moving can be difficult to spot, fish slowly in cold clear water. Striper action has been good in the Savannah River, at the Flood Gates as well at the Houlihan bridge. Most of the fly action has been on deep sinker fly lines and flies that push a lot water: sar-mul-mac mullet and whistlers are favorites. Fish structure and moving water for stripers. Currents in the Savannah can be treacherous. Opportunities, when the water isn’t moving too fast, to target these fish are usually a couple of hours or less . Best tides are either are one hour either side of the high or low tide. Fishermen desiring top water action for stripers need to be fishing at first or last light. Best action this year has been in the main Savannah River not its tributaries. Many believe the Back River is silting in due to the flood gates. Most of the silting is upriver of the flood gates and though to be changing the water flow and consequently the river is not holding fish like it once did. Others have said the lack of stripers in the Back Rive might be due fresh discharges and ample amounts of rain which deterred the shrimp and hence deterred the stripers.
When seas lay near shore action for action sheepshead has been good. Capt. Bing Phillips has said this earliest sheepshead bite he remember! Capt. Bing says to use a conventional anchor around pallet balls and a mitte mike around metal. Sheepshead action has been good with fish over eight not uncommon.
The CCAGA Coastal Conservation of Georgia is moving ahead with the strongest and largest board it has fielded in recent years. The Peach State Reds Initiative is an ambitious program between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the CCA, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the University of Georgia as well many are coming on board to take the initial steps in a stocking program in Georgia. As Capt. Wendell Harper said if we ever have an emergency or disaster the system will be in place to aid the recovery of this fishery. When asked what is the CCA is doing the Peach State Reds Initiative as well as the fin fish study are of major significance to the inshore fisherman. Support your local CCA chapter!
Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan