Tides last were higher than predicted. High tides and windy conditions put a damper on fishing. Heavy rains over the weekend were welcomed! Once again we well behind the average rainfall. Salty conditions have likely helped to produce lots of seatrout. Shrimp are very abundant in the creeks and rivers. Finger mullet are schooling in the rivers and creeks just before dawn. Just before dawn is an ideal time to throw a cast net for bait fish. First year redfish are about 12 inches. These fish can be found along oyster bars, docks and other structure on lower tide stages. It’s not unusual to catch several small redfish then hook into a larger fish or seatrout. The word is that this year so far hasn’t been a banner year for tarpon. Those fishing south of Savannah are saying the tarpon bite in just beginning to heat up. Likely the best tarpon fishing in local waters is just ahead! Some jack crevalles are showing up. The shark bite has slowed. Nonetheless there are still plenty of sharks in local waters. On days when the seatrout bite slowed, the flounder picked up. The summer seatrout pattern is changing from a beachfront pattern to a backwater pattern. As bait pushes into rivers seatrout and redfish will follow.

Tides will be subsiding during the coming week. As tides subside fishing conditions will improve. Tides for the latter half of week look more promising.

August is a great month for redfish. It’s also the month to beware of jellyfish! Their sting can be painful. Anchor ropes can pick up particles from a jellyfish that can sting. Care should be taken not to rub in further. When surf fishing wearing long pants can be a good option when jellyfish are present. Large stingrays are in the sounds. At times these large fish can be seen becoming air born likely chasing a bait.

Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan