May 2026 — Savannah / Coastal Georgia: Tarpon Arriving Wassaw, Tailing Reds on Flood Tides. May is a late spring month with water in the 58-66°F range — PEAK STRIPER (most areas); bluefish arrive; flounder move into bays. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — May 2026
Primary targets this month: Cobia, Redfish, Tarpon, Speckled Trout.
Cobia
Cobia 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 — keep an eye on stone crab and shrimp buoys for cruising fish. Live eels, large pinfish, and 3-6 oz bucktails.
Redfish
Summer 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. Fish dawn and dusk — once water hits 85°F bites slow significantly. Live pinfish, cut ladyfish, topwater walking baits at first light.
Tarpon
Peak tarpon season. Fish stacked on the Wassaw Sound mouth, Tybee Beach, the Brunswick area, and the surf zone from June through September — Georgia’s tarpon fishery is underrated. Live crabs, threadfin herring, pinfish on 6/0-8/0 circle hooks and 60-80 lb fluoro leader. Pre-dawn anchor bites at major passes; sight-fishing the beach; rolling fish in the channels.
Speckled Trout
Summer trout 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 — focus on deeper grass edges and potholes early and late. Live shrimp and pinfish under popping corks; trolling MirrOlures over grass flats.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 58-66°F. Peak striper (most areas); bluefish arrive; flounder move into bays. 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
- Peak striper inshore. Surf, jetties, bays — fish are everywhere. Live bait (bunker, eels) and trolled tubes both work.
- Fluke opens. Bay and inshore drift fishing — bucktail with Gulp! or strip-bait teaser combos.
May Outlook
Late spring — tarpon arriving, snook moving, summer pelagic season building offshore.
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). Cobia: 36″ fork length, one per harvester (FL state waters — verify current rules). Tarpon: Catch-and-release only — tarpon over 40″ must remain in water. 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).
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