April 2026 — Savannah / Coastal Georgia: Cobia Peak, Trout Building, Tarpon Scouts. April is a spring month with water in the 50-60°F range — striped bass spring migration peaks (Chesapeake spawn, OBX surf, Raritan Bay); spring tautog. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — April 2026
Primary targets this month: Cobia, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead.
Cobia
Peak cobia migration. Sight-fishing along the beach, around Wassaw Sound mouth, the Savannah Snapper Banks 25-40 miles offshore, the artificial reefs (CC, KC, J), and bait pods on the beach in spring, and following stingrays in clear water. Need calm seas (1-2 ft) and sun overhead. 4-6″ bucktails (chartreuse, white, pink), large soft plastic eels, or live eels and pinfish. Cobia often follow first refusals — make a second cast.
Redfish
Redfish in the marshes of Wassaw, Ossabaw, and Sapelo Sounds, Tybee back creeks, the Wilmington and Skidaway River systems, the Brunswick marshes, and the St. Simons-Jekyll backcountry — Georgia’s tidal marshes are some of the most productive redfish habitat on the East Coast. Cut bait, gold spoons, and soft plastics on light jigheads.
Speckled Trout
Trout holding in the deep creek mouths and grass flats of Wassaw and Ossabaw, the Wilmington River channels, the Brunswick River system, and the back bays of St. Simons. Live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastic jigs in natural colors (root beer, new penny, opening night).
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are present around the Savannah River jetty, the Tybee pier, the Brunswick area docks and rip-rap, and the inshore wrecks but more scattered than during the winter spawn. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp on light tackle.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 50-60°F. Striped bass spring migration peaks (chesapeake spawn, obx surf, raritan bay); spring tautog. Georgia has the second-highest tidal range on the East Coast (6-9 feet on big tides) — the entire fishery is tide-driven. Falling water out of the marshes concentrates bait at creek mouths and produces the best redfish action. The big spring tides flood the marsh grass, opening up tailing-redfish flats accessible only on the highest tides of the month.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Striped bass migration. Watch water temperatures — 50°F triggers the spring run.
- Pre-spawn tautog peak. Best blackfish window of the year — wrecks and rocky structure.
April Outlook
Peak spring migrations — cobia (Gulf/SE), striped bass (mid-Atlantic), spawning movements everywhere.
Regulations Reminder
Redfish: 18-27″ slot, one per angler per day (verify FWC zone-specific rules). Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Sheepshead: 12″ minimum, 8 per day (FL). Cobia: 36″ fork length, one per harvester (FL state waters — verify current rules). Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Coffee Bluff Marina (Savannah); B&B Tackle (Tybee); Tybee Island Marina; Hogans Marina (Wilmington Island); Coastal Marsh Outfitters (Brunswick); St. Simons Bait & Tackle.
Public Boat Ramps: Lazaretto Creek (Tybee), Frank G. Murray ramp (Skidaway), Bell’s Landing (Savannah area), Halfmoon Marina (Sapelo), Mackay River Landing (Brunswick), Blythe Island Regional Park (Brunswick), St. Simons Landing.
Charter Fishing: $500–$800 inshore (marsh, sound trips); $700–$1,100 nearshore (cobia, kings, tarpon); $1,500–$2,500 offshore (Snapper Banks, Gulf Stream).
More Savannah / Coastal Georgia Resources
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