Southeast Georgia Saltwater Fishing Report
Date: February 26, 2024
Location: Southeast Georgia Coast
Weather:
The weather over the past week has been relatively mild, with temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the mid-60s Fahrenheit. Winds have been light to moderate, primarily from the northeast, providing tough wind conditions on many days for saltwater anglers.
Fishing Conditions:
The fishing conditions along the southeast Georgia coast have been excellent, with anglers reporting good catches of a variety of species. Water temperatures have remained cool but stable, ideal for targeting trout, redfish, sheepshead, and whiting.
Trout:
Trout fishing has been productive in the creeks and rivers throughout the region. Anglers have had success targeting trout using live shrimp, mud minnows, and artificial lures such as soft plastics and suspending twitch baits. Key areas to focus on include oyster bars, creek mouths, and deeper holes along marsh edges. The trout bite has been consistent throughout the day, with many anglers reporting catches of quality-sized fish in the 16 to 20-inch range.
Redfish:
Redfish action remains steady in the shallows, with anglers finding success targeting schools of redfish around oyster beds, grass flats, and tidal creeks. Live bait such as mud minnows, finger mullet, and cut bait have been effective in enticing redfish to bite. Additionally, soft plastic swimbaits and gold spoons have produced good results when sight casting to cruising reds in shallow water. Anglers have reported catching both slot-sized fish and oversized redfish, providing plenty of excitement on the water.
Sheepshead:
Sheepshead continue to be a popular target for anglers fishing around structures such as docks, bridges, and rock piles. Fiddler crabs and barnacles have been the bait of choice for tempting these toothy critters, with anglers using small hooks and light tackle to finesse bites from wary sheepshead. Patient anglers have been rewarded with impressive catches of sheepshead ranging from 2 to 6 pounds, with occasional larger specimens mixed in.
Whiting:
Whiting action has been excellent along the sandy beaches and inlets of the southeast Georgia coast. Anglers targeting whiting have had success using fresh shrimp, sand fleas, and squid on bottom rigs. Fishing near tidal channels and sandbars has produced the best results, with whiting readily taking bait throughout the day. While most whiting caught have been of average size, anglers have reported occasional catches of larger "bull" whiting exceeding 1 pound, providing a fun challenge on light tackle.
Conclusion:
Overall, saltwater fishing along the southeast Georgia coast continues to offer exciting opportunities for anglers targeting trout, redfish, sheepshead, and whiting. With favorable weather conditions and productive fishing grounds, now is an excellent time to get out on the water and enjoy the fantastic saltwater fishing that this region has to offer. As always, remember to practice responsible angling practices, respect bag limits and size restrictions, and release any undersized or protected species to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries for future generations. Tight lines and good luck on your next fishing adventure!