Savannah Inshore Fishing for Beginners 3 Hours
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
3hour inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain Zach provides local expertise and productive fishing spotsAll fishing equipment and bait included for up to 4 guests
Ready to get your hands dirty in Savannah's legendary inshore waters? Captain Zach's beginner-friendly fishing trip puts you right in the heart of Georgia's coastal paradise, where redfish cruise the grass flats and speckled trout ambush baitfish in the creeks. This isn't some rushed tourist trap – it's a genuine three-hour fishing adventure designed specifically for folks who want to learn the ropes while actually catching fish. Whether you've never held a rod or just want to dial in your inshore game, Captain Zach knows exactly where to put you on fish and how to make it happen.
This top-rated charter keeps things intimate with just four guests max, so you'll get plenty of hands-on attention from Captain Zach. He's been working these Savannah marshes for years and knows every oyster bar, grass flat, and tidal creek where fish like to hang out. You'll launch into the scenic salt marsh system that makes Savannah inshore fishing world-class – think winding creeks lined with spartina grass, shallow flats that come alive on the right tide, and structure that holds everything from sheepshead to flounder. The beauty of this trip is that Captain Zach reads the conditions and adapts on the fly. If the redfish are tailing on the flats, that's where you're headed. If the trout are stacked up in a creek mouth, you'll be working those areas instead. All your gear is covered – rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait – so you can focus on learning and catching fish instead of worrying about what to bring.
Captain Zach keeps the approach simple but effective, perfect for anglers just getting started in the inshore game. You'll primarily be using light spinning tackle – think 7-foot medium-light rods paired with 2500-series reels spooled with 15-20 pound braided line. The beauty of Savannah inshore fishing is that you don't need heavy gear or complex techniques to be successful. Most of your fishing will involve bottom rigs with circle hooks and fresh shrimp or cut bait, especially when targeting redfish and sheepshead around structure. Captain Zach will also show you how to work soft plastics under popping corks for speckled trout – a customer favorite technique that's deadly effective in these waters. Depending on the tide and species you're after, you might also try some light jigging with bucktail jigs or grubs around oyster bars and dock pilings. The key is learning to read the water and understand how different species relate to structure, current, and bait movements. Captain Zach breaks it all down in terms that make sense, so you'll leave with real knowledge you can use on future trips.
Savannah's inshore waters serve up an incredible variety of fish species, each with their own personality and fighting style. Redfish are the crown jewel of the local inshore scene – these copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in these waters and fight like fish twice their size. They're year-round residents that love to cruise the grass flats and oyster bars, especially on moving tides. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight style. When you hook one, it's going to make long, powerful runs that test your drag and your patience. Speckled trout are another customer favorite, particularly during the warmer months from April through October. These beautiful fish average 14-18 inches and are absolute masters of ambush feeding. They love to suspend around grass edges and dock lights, picking off shrimp and baitfish with lightning-quick strikes. The fight is more acrobatic than a redfish – expect head shakes, jumps, and sudden direction changes that keep you on your toes.
Summer flounder bring a completely different element to the mix. These flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottom areas where they wait to ambush passing prey. The best flounder fishing typically runs from May through September, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to genuine doormat-sized specimens pushing 20+ inches. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the subtle bite – you'll feel a gentle tap or slight weight on your line, and setting the hook requires perfect timing. Sheepshead round out the inshore slam and are hands down the most challenging species to hook consistently. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, and they're notorious bait thieves. Peak sheepshead action runs from late fall through early spring when they stack up around bridge pilings, dock structures, and oyster bars. Landing a quality sheepshead requires patience, the right bait presentation, and lightning-fast reflexes when you feel that subtle tick on your line.
This beginner-friendly charter delivers exactly what serious anglers and first-timers alike are looking for – genuine local expertise, productive fishing spots, and the kind of hands-on instruction that actually makes you a better angler. Captain Zach's approach combines the best of both worlds: he puts you on fish while teaching you the skills and knowledge to be successful on your own. The three-hour format is perfect for getting a real taste of Savannah inshore fishing without the commitment of a full-day trip. With all tackle and bait provided, you can focus on what really matters – learning new techniques and putting fish in the boat. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before booking. The intimate four-person max ensures you'll get personalized attention and plenty of rod time. Whether you're looking to start your inshore fishing journey or just want to experience some of the best fishing waters on the Georgia coast, this trip delivers the goods.
Captain Zach's 2014 Sportsman center console is your ticket to Savannah's prime inshore fishing grounds. This 23-foot fishing machine runs on a reliable 200HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at speeds up to 37 knots through the coastal waters and salt marshes. Built for serious fishing, she's equipped with everything you need for a successful day on the water. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of redfish, speckled trout, and flounder hiding in the estuaries, while GPS navigation ensures you never miss those productive spots. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the 3-hour adventure. With comfortable seating for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to cast lines without getting tangled up. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the fishing action while Captain Zach works his magic from the helm. All your rods, reels, tackle, and bait come included, so just bring yourself and get ready to hook into Savannah's inshore favorites.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Savannah flats - bronze-backed bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail. We typically see 20-30 inch fish weighing 3-8 pounds, though those monster bulls over 35 inches will really test your tackle. They love our shallow oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What makes reds so special is their power - they'll strip drag and make long runs in skinny water. Plus they're smart, spooky fish that reward good technique. The table quality is excellent too with firm, mild fillets. My best tip for Savannah reds: look for nervous baitfish or wakes in shallow water on incoming tides. A gold spoon worked fast through the strike zone will usually draw a crushing blow from these aggressive feeders.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our Savannah marshes - beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. Most range 14-18 inches with 2-3 pounders being typical, though we see some nice gator trout over 20 inches in deeper holes. They cruise grass flats and oyster bars, especially around moving water where baitfish concentrate. Cooler months are prime time when they school up in creeks and channels. What makes specks so popular is their willingness to hit artificial lures - they're aggressive feeders that'll chase down a well-presented shrimp or topwater plug. Plus, their mild, flaky meat makes excellent table fare. The fight is respectable too with good runs and head shakes. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds early morning or late evening. Keep it moving slowly and let the cork do the work.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Savannah's waters - those black and white stripes make them unmistakable around dock pilings and oyster bars. Most of what we catch runs 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though the occasional 8-pounder will show up to test your drag. They love structure - bridges, docks, jetties, anywhere barnacles and oysters grow thick. Spring is their peak season when they move into shallow water to spawn. What guests love about sheepshead is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush oysters. But land one and you've got some of the finest table fare in the salt. Their white, flaky meat rivals any snapper. Here's my trick: use the smallest hook you can get away with and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. Set that hook hard the moment you feel weight.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are true masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their chameleon-like color-changing ability. Most run 15-20 inches, but we catch some nice doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. They hang out on muddy and sandy flats throughout our estuaries, lying motionless waiting to ambush baitfish. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes flounder so popular is their sweet, flaky white meat - they're arguably the best eating fish we target. Plus, there's something satisfying about fooling such a smart predator. My local tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Count to three first - flounder grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around in their mouth. Patience pays off with these guys.
Savannah