Tides, Reds, and Marsh Light: A Three-Hour Inshore Charter Near Savannah
Price includes 2 customers • 4 clients max > 1 year old
The day begins in the hush of the marsh. A breeze lifts the spartina, slicks of tide crease the creek, and the skiff noses into a channel barely wider than a driveway. Egrets step like white punctuation in the cordgrass. The motor hums low, then settles. The guide cuts the engine and the marsh starts talking again—popping shrimp, the click of oyster beds, the quiet push of water running on a seven-foot tide. You can feel the current shouldering the hull, inviting you to cast. This is Savannah’s inshore—close to the city, but a world apart—and three hours is enough to taste its rhythm.
Trail Wisdom
Fish the tide, not the clock
Ask your captain to time departure around moving water—first of the flood or last of the fall can turn redfish and trout on.
Polarized lenses make the day
Good sunglasses help you see flats structure, bait flashes, and tailing fish, especially in glare-prone marsh light.
Mind the oyster rakes
Oyster beds are fish magnets—and lure magnets. Lift your rod high, keep steady tension, and let the captain guide the angle.
Pack light, stay nimble
A small daypack with water, sunscreen, and a rain shell keeps deck space clear for safe casting and quick repositioning.
Local Knowledge
Hidden Gems
- •Quiet flood-tide flats off Turner Creek where reds tail tight to the grass
- •A quick pass by Cockspur Island Lighthouse for a photo when tides allow
Wildlife
Bottlenose dolphin, Brown pelican and great egret
Conservation Note
Georgia’s salt marsh is sensitive—avoid trampling oyster beds and practice mindful release for overslot redfish. Respect no-wake zones to protect shoreline and nesting birds.
Thunderbolt’s shrimping fleet helped define Savannah’s seafood culture; nearby Fort Pulaski guarded the Savannah River since the 19th century.
Seasonal Guide
spring
Best for: Speckled trout on popping corks, Sight-casting redfish on warming flats
Challenges: Windy fronts, Rapidly shifting tides
Mild temps and baitfish returns kickstart the bite. Expect active trout and redfish as the marsh greens up.
summer
Best for: Early-morning topwater for trout, Tarpon and shark encounters near channels
Challenges: Heat and humidity, Afternoon storms
Go early, hydrate, and chase life before the sun climbs. Big tides and bait schools draw predators shallow.
fall
Best for: Bull redfish on points, Consistent trout along grass edges
Challenges: Busy weekends, Large tidal swings on new/full moons
Peak action with comfortable weather and aggressive fish. A great time for numbers and quality.
winter
Best for: Clear-water sight-fishing for reds, Calm, crisp mornings
Challenges: Cooler temps, Shorter bite windows
Lower boat traffic and gin-clear flats reward patience and finesse presentations.
Photographer's Notes
What to Bring
Polarized sunglasses (amber or copper tint)Essential
Enhances contrast to spot fish, oyster bars, and grass lines in variable marsh light.
Light rain jacket
Pop-up showers and wind shifts are common around fronts—stay dry and comfortable.
Non-marking deck shoes or sandalsEssential
Provides grip on wet decks and avoids scuffing the boat.
Sun hoodie or UPF long sleeveEssential
High UV and reflective water demand coverage without overheating.
Common Questions
Do I need a fishing license?
No. The charter includes all required fishing licenses for guests on board.
What species can we target on this trip?
Depending on season and tide, expect redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, black drum, sheepshead, tripletail, and in summer, tarpon.
Can we keep fish and will they be cleaned?
Yes, within Georgia regulations and seasons. The crew will clean your legal catch back at the dock.
Is this trip suitable for kids or beginners?
Absolutely. It’s a private charter with patient instruction; children over one year old are welcome.
Will I get seasick inshore?
Unlikely. You’ll be fishing protected creeks and rivers, not open ocean swells.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
The captain monitors conditions and may reschedule or cancel for safety. You’ll be notified as early as possible.
What to Pack
Polarized sunglasses for sighting fish; Sun hoodie and sunscreen to manage high coastal UV; Non-marking deck shoes for safe footing on a wet deck; Compact rain jacket for pop-up showers and wind shifts.
Did You Know
Georgia contains roughly one-third of all remaining salt marsh along the U.S. Atlantic coast—more than 400,000 acres of critical habitat that fuels its inshore fisheries.
Quick Travel Tips
Plan around the tide chart, not just the clock, for the most productive bite; Bring a small cooler bag if you’d like to keep your water and snacks separate from the boat’s; Parking at marinas can be limited on weekends—arrive 15–20 minutes early; After the trip, nearby fish houses can cook your legal catch—call ahead to confirm.
Local Flavor
Post-charter, head to The Crab Shack on Tybee for a Lowcountry boil under the trees, or grab fried shrimp at Desposito’s in Thunderbolt. Back in Savannah, celebrate with a crisp lager at Service Brewing Co. or a sunset walk on River Street before dinner at a classic seafood spot.
Logistics Snapshot
Closest airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV), ~30–40 minutes to Wilmington Island. Launch area: Wilmington Island/Turner Creek. Drive from downtown Savannah: ~20 minutes. Cell service: Generally good near the Intracoastal, patchy in remote creeks. Permits: Fishing licenses included with charter; follow Georgia creel/slot limits. Group size: Up to 4 guests (children must be over 1 year old).
Sustainability Note
Georgia’s marsh is a living engine—avoid prop scarring in shallow grass, pack out all trash, and consider releasing overslot redfish. Respect bird rookeries and idle through no-wake zones to protect shorelines.