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Caught a trophy redfish Inshore in Savannah
Redfish Inshore in Savannah
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The Redfish (Sciaenops Ocellatus) is one of the most prized inshore game fish along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Belonging to the Sciaenidae family, these powerful fighters are known for their distinctive copper-bronze coloration and characteristic black spot near the tail. - Redfish in the Savannah area typically range from 30-61 inches and 10-45 pounds. - They prefer shallow coastal habitats including flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges. - Spring is an excellent time to target these fish as they become more active in warming waters.
Fishing Charter by Captain Zachary Holick in August
Meet your Captain Zachary Holick
- Unforgettable Fishing Adventures in Savannah, GA
Summary
Early spring provided perfect conditions for this Savannah inshore fishing charter with Captain Zach's Fishing Charter. Setting out from Daufuskie Landing on a Wednesday April morning, we enjoyed partly cloudy skies and ideal water conditions. The trip featured a mix of bottom fishing, live bait casting, and trolling techniques that paid off with an impressive 32-inch redfish. The waters around Savannah are prime redfish habitat, with spring offering excellent opportunities for anglers of all experience levels. Whether you're targeting trophy reds or looking for consistent inshore action, these productive Georgia waters deliver year-round fishing opportunities with the right local knowledge.
Fishing Charter with Zachary Holick – Rates & Booking
Captain Zachary Holick of Captain Zach's Fishing Charter offers Wednesday April trips from Daufuskie Landing near Savannah. This 6-hour inshore trip provides everything needed for a successful day targeting redfish and other local species. All necessary fishing gear, licenses, and expert guidance are included to ensure you have the best possible experience on the water. Captain Zach knows these waters intimately and will put you on fish using proven techniques including bottom fishing, live bait casting, and trolling based on the day's conditions.
Highlights of This Charter
This spring inshore fishing trip delivered exciting redfish action in the productive waters around Savannah. The morning began with strategic bottom fishing before switching between live bait casting and trolling techniques to cover more ground. The highlight was landing a monster 32-inch redfish after an exhilarating fight – exactly the trophy specimen that makes Savannah's inshore waters famous among anglers.
Captain Zach's local expertise and willingness to adapt tactics throughout the day were key to our success. The partly cloudy conditions created perfect visibility for spotting fish, while the comfortable spring temperatures made for an enjoyable day on the water. This 6-hour trip format provides ample time to explore different spots and techniques, making it ideal for both experienced anglers targeting specific species and newcomers looking to learn inshore fishing skills.
Local Species Insights: Redfish
Redfish thrive in Savannah's diverse inshore ecosystem, making it a premier destination for targeting this popular game fish. These powerful fighters prefer shallow waters ranging from 1-4 feet deep, particularly around oyster beds, creek mouths, and grass flats that are abundant in this area. Spring is one of the best seasons for redfish action around Savannah, as warming waters activate their feeding patterns and bring them into more accessible areas.
When targeting redfish in these waters, live bait presentations work exceptionally well, with local shrimp, mud minnows, and cut mullet producing consistent results. Early morning and evening tides generally offer the most productive fishing windows. Captain Zach specializes in reading the subtle signs that indicate redfish activity – from nervous water to feeding disturbances that less experienced anglers might miss. The satisfaction of battling these hard-pulling bronze beauties makes them a favorite target for Savannah fishing charters.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
For your day on the water with Captain Zach's Fishing Charter, bring sun protection, weather-appropriate clothing, and any personal refreshments you might want. The charter provides all necessary fishing gear, including quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Early morning departures are recommended to take advantage of peak fishing activity, though specific times may vary based on tides and conditions. The 6-hour trip format offers enough time to explore multiple fishing spots while maintaining a comfortable pace that works well for families and mixed-experience groups.
Fishing in Savannah: Redfish
Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus), also known as Red Drum, belong to the Sciaenidae family and Perciformes order. These distinctive fish are immediately recognizable by their copper-bronze coloration and one or more black spots near their tail. In Savannah waters during spring, redfish become particularly active as water temperatures rise, making April an excellent time for targeting these prized game fish.
Redfish Overview
Redfish are one of the most sought-after inshore game fish along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Their fighting ability, accessibility to anglers fishing from boats or shore, and excellent table fare make them a top target for recreational fishermen. These fish are known for their powerful runs and ability to test both tackle and angler skill.
Redfish Habitat and Distribution
Redfish thrive in diverse coastal environments including estuaries, bays, tidal creeks, oyster bars, and seagrass flats. They're commonly found in shallow water ranging from 1 to 4 feet deep but can also inhabit deeper channels and nearshore waters. In Savannah, GA, redfish are year-round residents with particularly strong populations in the maze of tidal creeks and marshes that characterize the area's inshore waters.
Redfish Size and Weight
Typical redfish in the Savannah area range from 30 to 61 inches in length and can weigh between 10 and 45 pounds. Juvenile redfish (often called "puppy drums") are commonly caught inshore, while larger breeding-size fish (often called "bull reds") are found in nearshore waters, particularly during fall spawning season. The 32-inch specimen caught on this trip represents a quality fish for the region.
Redfish Diet and Behavior
Redfish are opportunistic feeders that primarily consume crustaceans (crabs, shrimp), small baitfish, and mollusks. They often feed by tilting their bodies downward to root through bottom sediment, sometimes with their tails breaking the surface (known as "tailing"). They're most active during moving tides when water flow concentrates prey and triggers feeding behavior.
Redfish Spawning Season
Redfish typically spawn from late summer through fall, with peak activity in September and October. During this period, large breeding adults form schools and move to nearshore waters with appropriate salinity and temperature. After spawning, juveniles make their way to protective estuary environments where they develop before joining the adult population.
Redfish Fishing Techniques
For Savannah redfish, several effective techniques stand out. Live bait fishing with shrimp, mud minnows, or cut mullet works exceptionally well when fished near structure or along channel edges. Artificial lures including gold spoons, soft plastic jerkbaits, and scented soft plastics on jigheads are also productive, especially when worked slowly along bottom structure. In April, anglers around Savannah often find success targeting redfish around oyster bars and creek mouths during the falling tide when these fish feed aggressively on prey being swept out with the current.
Redfish Is It Good to Eat?
Redfish are considered excellent table fare with firm, white flesh and a mild, sweet flavor that's not overly fishy. They're versatile in the kitchen and can be prepared blackened, grilled, baked, or broiled. Redfish are also nutritionally valuable, providing lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins. However, many anglers practice catch and release with larger specimens to protect breeding stock, focusing harvest on slot-sized fish where regulations permit.
Redfish Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for redfish in Savannah?
A: Live shrimp, mud minnows, and cut mullet are top natural baits for Savannah redfish. For artificial lures, gold spoons, scented soft plastics on jigheads, and shallow-running plugs are consistently productive.
Q: Where can I find redfish near Savannah?
A: Look for redfish around oyster beds, creek mouths, marsh edges, and flats, particularly during moving tides. Daufuskie Landing and the surrounding waterways offer excellent redfish habitat with plenty of structure and feeding zones.
Q: Is redfish good to eat?
A: Yes, redfish is considered excellent table fare with mild, sweet white flesh that works well with various cooking methods. The flavor is similar to other premium white fish but with a distinctive richness many anglers prefer.
Q: When is the best time to catch redfish in Savannah?
A: While redfish can be caught year-round in Savannah, spring (April-June) and fall (September-November) typically offer the most consistent action. Early morning and evening periods during moving tides generally produce the best results.
Q: What tackle should I use for redfish?
A: Medium action spinning gear with 15-20 lb test line is ideal for most Savannah redfish situations. A 7-foot rod provides good casting distance while maintaining enough backbone to handle these powerful fighters.
Q: Are redfish and red snapper the same fish?
A: No, despite similar names, redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) and red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) are entirely different species. Redfish are predominantly inshore fish with copper coloration and a black tail spot, while red snapper are offshore reef fish with bright red coloration.
