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Caught a Southern Flounder Inshore in Savannah
Southern Flounder Fishing in Savannah
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Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) are fascinating flatfish that thrive in Savannah's inshore waters. They're part of the Paralichthyidae family and range from 12-33 inches in length, typically weighing 1-4 pounds when caught around Tybee Island. - Masters of camouflage, they bury themselves in sand and mud with only their eyes visible. - Both eyes are positioned on the left side of their body. - They're ambush predators, lying in wait for passing baitfish.
Fishing Charter by Captain Zachary Holick in October
Meet your Captain Zachary Holick
- Unforgettable Fishing Adventures in Savannah, GA
Summary
Join us for a productive Southern Flounder fishing charter in Savannah, GA this Friday September. Captain Zach's Fishing Charter specializes in bottom fishing techniques that work perfectly for targeting these flatfish in the Tybee Island-Wilmington Island waters. Our early morning trips let you experience the best fishing conditions before afternoon weather moves in. We'll employ proven methods including bottom fishing, casting with lures, and live bait fishing to put you on fish. The local structure and current flow around Savannah's inshore waters create ideal habitat for Southern Flounder, making our 3-Hour Inshore Morning Trip a consistent producer for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you're after your first flatfish or looking to add to your species count, our local knowledge gives you the best chance at success.
Fishing Charter with Zachary Holick – Rates & Booking
Captain Zachary Holick of Captain Zach's Fishing Charter on Friday September offers guided fishing trips targeting Southern Flounder and other inshore species. Our 3-Hour Inshore Morning Trip provides all necessary tackle, bait, and licenses so you can focus on the fishing experience. We specialize in bottom fishing techniques around the productive waters of Tybee Island and Wilmington Island, where structure and current create perfect flounder habitat. Early morning departures help us avoid afternoon weather and get you on fish when they're most active. Our licensed charter service combines local knowledge with proven techniques to maximize your chances of landing quality Southern Flounder.
Highlights of this Inshore Fishing Trip
Our Savannah inshore fishing experience focuses on productive bottom fishing techniques perfectly suited for targeting Southern Flounder. We'll work the structure-rich areas around Tybee Island and Wilmington Island where these flatfish congregate. The trip begins early morning when conditions are optimal, giving you the best opportunity to land quality fish before afternoon weather patterns develop.
We provide versatile fishing approaches including bottom fishing, casting with lures, and live bait presentations—all proven methods for enticing Southern Flounder to bite. Captain Zach's local knowledge of these waters means you'll spend more time fishing productive spots and less time searching. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to inshore fishing, our techniques are accessible and effective for targeting these prized flatfish.
Local Species Insights: Southern Flounder
Southern Flounder thrive in Savannah's inshore waters, particularly around the structural elements and current seams of Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. These ambush predators bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms near structure, waiting to pounce on passing baitfish. Our bottom fishing approach targets these hiding spots effectively, presenting baits right in their strike zone.
Fall is an excellent time to target Southern Flounder in Savannah as they begin gathering for their offshore spawning migration. During this period, they feed aggressively to build energy reserves, making them more likely to strike both artificial lures and live baits. The morning hours often produce the best action, allowing us to work deeper holes and channel edges where flounder stage during their seasonal movements. Our local techniques are specifically tailored to these patterns, giving you the best opportunity to land these delicious and challenging gamefish.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Our inshore fishing charters accommodate up to three anglers comfortably. We provide all necessary fishing gear including quality rods, reels, terminal tackle and bait. Morning departures typically begin at sunrise to capitalize on prime fishing conditions, though we can adjust based on weather and tidal considerations. Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather, and bring sun protection, a camera to document your catch, and any preferred beverages or snacks. Our vessel is equipped with safety equipment and fish-finding technology to enhance your experience. For the best results, book your Southern Flounder trip during fall months when these fish are most active in Savannah's inshore waters.
Fishing in Savannah: Southern Flounder
The Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) belongs to the Paralichthyidae family within the order Pleuronectiformes. This remarkable flatfish is distinguished by having both eyes on the left side of its head, making it a "left-eyed" flounder. In Savannah waters this September, anglers target these camouflage masters along sandy bottoms and channel edges where they lie in wait for prey.
Southern Flounder Overview
Southern Flounder are highly prized gamefish known for their delicious white meat and challenging catch. They're the largest of the four flounder species found in the southeastern United States, with a distinctively flat, oval body perfectly adapted for their bottom-dwelling lifestyle. Anglers value them both for sport and table fare.
Southern Flounder Habitat and Distribution
These flatfish thrive in estuarine environments including bays, sounds, inlets, and river mouths. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms near structure such as oyster beds, dock pilings, and channel edges. In Savannah, they're commonly found throughout the Tybee Island-Wilmington Island waters, particularly where freshwater rivers meet the ocean, creating the brackish conditions they prefer.
Southern Flounder Size and Weight
Typical Southern Flounder in the Savannah area range from 12 to 33 inches in length, with weights between 1 and 4 pounds. Trophy specimens can reach over 20 inches and weigh more than 5 pounds, though such catches are considered exceptional in inshore waters.
Southern Flounder Diet and Behavior
Southern Flounder are ambush predators that rely on camouflage, burying themselves in bottom substrate with only their eyes visible. They feed primarily on small fish like mullet, menhaden, and finger mullet, along with shrimp and other crustaceans. They're most active during dawn and dusk but will opportunistically feed throughout the day when prey is present.
Southern Flounder Spawning Season
Fall triggers their spawning migration, with mature flounder moving from inshore estuaries toward offshore spawning grounds as water temperatures cool. In Savannah waters, this migration typically begins in September and continues through November, making fall an excellent time to target these fish as they feed aggressively before their offshore journey.
Southern Flounder Fishing Techniques
Bottom fishing with live finger mullet, mud minnows, or shrimp on a Carolina rig is highly effective for Southern Flounder. Slowly dragging jigs tipped with soft plastics or Gulp! baits along bottom structure also produces strikes. In September, Savannah anglers find success targeting deeper holes and channel edges during falling tides, when flounder position themselves to ambush baitfish being swept out with the current. Work your bait slowly along the bottom, as flounder often strike subtly compared to other gamefish.
Southern Flounder Is It Good to Eat?
Southern Flounder is considered one of the finest eating fish available, prized for its mild, sweet, white flesh with a delicate flaky texture. It's versatile in preparation—excellent pan-fried, baked, or broiled. Nutritionally, it's a good source of lean protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids while being relatively low in mercury compared to many other fish species.
Southern Flounder Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Southern Flounder?
A: Live finger mullet, mud minnows, and live shrimp are top natural baits. For artificial options, scented soft plastics like Gulp! Swimming Mullet or jigs tipped with curly-tail grubs work well when slowly dragged along the bottom.
Q: Where can I find Southern Flounder near Savannah?
A: Target creek mouths, channel edges, and structural elements around Tybee Island and Wilmington Island. Look for areas with current flow, depth changes, and sandy or muddy bottoms where flounder can ambush prey.
Q: Is Southern Flounder good to eat?
A: Absolutely! Southern Flounder is considered premium table fare with delicate, mild white meat that flakes perfectly when cooked. It's versatile in preparation and ranks among the most desirable eating fish in coastal Georgia.
Q: When is the best time to catch Southern Flounder in Savannah?
A: Fall (September through November) is prime flounder season as they begin their offshore spawning migration. Early morning and evening hours typically produce the best action, particularly during moving tides that push baitfish along bottom structure.
Q: What size hook should I use for Southern Flounder?
A: 2/0 to 4/0 circle hooks work well for live bait rigs, allowing flounder to take the bait while increasing hook-up ratios. For jig heads when using artificial lures, 1/4 to 1/2 ounce heads with 3/0 hooks provide good balance between presentation and hook-setting power.
Q: Do you need specialized gear for flounder fishing?
A: While specialized gear isn't absolutely necessary, medium-action spinning gear with 10-20 lb test line works well. Many serious flounder anglers prefer sensitive rod tips to detect the subtle take that flounder often exhibit before moving off with the bait.
