Inshore Fishing in Savannah, Georgia
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing for trout, redfish, flounder, and sharksQuality equipment provided for up to 4 guestsSeasonal fishing opportunities along Georgia's coastal waters
Looking for some serious action on the water? Ebb N Flow Charters has you covered with top-rated inshore fishing adventures that'll have you hooked from the first cast. Savannah's backwater creeks, salt marshes, and tidal rivers create the perfect playground for some of Georgia's most sought-after game fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, our local waters serve up plenty of rod-bending excitement year-round. We'll put you on fish while you soak up the stunning coastal scenery that makes this area a customer favorite among serious fishermen.
Your day starts early when we push off from the dock and head into Savannah's maze of tidal creeks and grass flats. The inshore waters here are shallow, typically running 2-8 feet deep, which means you'll get up close and personal with feeding fish in their natural habitat. We'll work the oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass beds where baitfish gather – and where hungry predators wait to ambush them. The boat rides smooth and quiet, letting us sneak up on schools without spooking them. Depending on the tide and time of year, we might focus on structure fishing around docks and bridges, or sight-fishing the flats when the water's clear. Every trip is different because we follow the fish, not a set route.
We provide all the quality gear you'll need – medium-action spinning rods paired with reliable reels that can handle anything from 15-inch trout to 40-pound tarpon. Our tackle boxes are stocked with everything that works in these waters: live shrimp, mud minnows, cut bait, and a selection of artificial lures including soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – we'll switch between live bait fishing under popping corks, casting jigs to structure, and working topwater lures over grass beds. When fish are feeding aggressively, nothing beats the explosion of a redfish hitting a spook on the surface. We'll teach you to read the water, spot feeding birds, and time your casts to moving fish. The techniques are straightforward enough for beginners but effective enough to keep experienced anglers engaged all day.
Tarpon are the undisputed kings of Savannah's inshore waters, showing up from late spring through early fall when water temperatures climb above 75 degrees. These silver giants range from juvenile "peanuts" around 20-30 pounds up to mature fish pushing 100+ pounds. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their acrobatic fight. When hooked, they'll jump clear out of the water multiple times, gill-rattling and thrashing in spectacular fashion. The key is keeping steady pressure while giving them room to run. Most anglers agree there's no rush quite like watching a tarpon explode on a live crab or cut mullet.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish we target, but they're worth every stolen bait. These black-and-white striped fighters hang around oyster bars, dock pilings, and bridge structures year-round, with peak action from fall through early spring. They've got human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs, which makes them notorious bait thieves. The secret is using small hooks with fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp, and setting the hook at the slightest tap. Once hooked, sheepshead make powerful runs toward structure, testing your drag system and skill. They're also fantastic table fare – firm, white meat that tastes even better when you've earned it.
Sea trout are the bread-and-butter species that keep rods bent throughout most of the year. These spotted beauties love grass flats and creek edges, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall offer the best action when schools of keeper-sized trout between 14-20 inches cruise the shallows feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're aggressive strikers that'll hit live bait, soft plastics, and topwater lures with equal enthusiasm. Trout fishing is all about covering water and finding active schools – when you locate them, you can often catch several from the same spot before they wise up and move on.
Redfish are what most visiting anglers dream about, and Savannah's waters don't disappoint. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the flats, creeks, and oyster bars in search of crabs and baitfish. The best red fishing happens from late summer through fall when schools of slot-sized fish (15-27 inches) gather in the shallows. Bull reds over 27 inches provide serious fights but must be released to protect the breeding population. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat almost anything – live shrimp under corks, cut mullet on the bottom, or well-placed artificial lures. They're also one of the few inshore species that'll feed during slack tide, making them reliable when other fish shut down.
Blacktip sharks add serious excitement to any inshore trip, especially during summer months when they move into shallow water chasing baitfish. These sleek predators typically run 3-6 feet long and put up spectacular fights, often launching themselves completely out of the water when hooked. Blacktips are commonly caught while targeting other species, but we can also fish specifically for them using cut bait or live fish. They're fast, strong, and unpredictable – everything you want in a game fish. We practice catch-and-release with all sharks, using circle hooks and proper handling techniques to ensure their survival. Landing a blacktip is a world-class experience that'll have you talking long after you're back at the dock.
Ready to experience why Savannah's inshore
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These sleek sharks average 3-5 feet but can hit 6+ feet and over 100 pounds. They patrol our nearshore waters in 20-100 feet, especially around reefs and structure where baitfish gather. Summer months bring the best action when they move inshore to feed. What makes them special? They're acrobats that'll jump clear out of the water multiple times during a fight. Fast, strong, and athletic - everything you want in a gamefish. We practice catch-and-release for conservation. The trick is using fresh, oily bait like mackerel or bluefish on circle hooks with heavy tackle. Once hooked, keep steady pressure but be ready for those aerial shows - they can throw the hook if you're not careful.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the ultimate sight-fishing target in our shallow waters. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches but bulls over 40 inches cruise our flats. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges year-round, though fall and spring see the biggest numbers. The black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows, sometimes with their backs out of water, then watching that red tail wave when they grab your bait. They fight like trucks and smaller ones make great table fare. My go-to technique: sight-cast shrimp or cut bait just ahead of cruising fish. Stay quiet and let the bait sit still - reds use their nose more than their eyes to feed.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore trips. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we catch plenty of "gator trout" over 5 pounds. They love our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best action, especially on moving tides at dawn and dusk. What makes them fun? They hit topwater plugs with explosive strikes and fight hard for their size. Plus, they're excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat. Night fishing under lights can be phenomenal when they school up chasing shrimp. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady over the grass - trout are ambush predators that like to study their prey before striking.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusKnown as "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, sheepshead are some of the smartest fish you'll target. They average 1-3 pounds but we see plenty in the 5-8 pound range around Savannah's docks, bridges, and oyster bars. Winter months are best when they school up around structure, feeding on barnacles and crabs. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can crush shellfish. The payoff? Some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get tight to the structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. They'll steal your bait all day if you're not quick.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is what draws anglers from around the world to our waters. These giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though monsters over 200 pounds show up. Tarpon love our shallow coastal waters and estuaries, especially around structure and grass flats. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through Georgia. What makes them special? Pure athleticism - they'll rocket 10 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. It's catch-and-release fishing at its finest since they're bony and not great eating. My tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip - keeps that line slack so they can't use their weight against you during those aerial acrobatics.
Savannah, GA