St. Simons Island Fishing Report

April Fishing Report for Brunswick, Jekyll and St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Calm seas and good weather have not been cooperating as much as we would like here on the Georgia coast, but there has been enough of it for one thing… A Taste of what Spring is like on our bountiful coast.
This taste has all of us wanting a full meal of spring fishing. Whether your taste is inshore or offshore, there is plenty of fishing biting on both ends.
In the rivers and backwater areas, Redfish have been fairly abundant with a few Reds in the sounds and off the beach pushing 40 pounds. The smaller "keeper" size redfish have been hard to come just like every season, but a patient fisherman might just catch the redfish of your dreams if a HUGE ONE is what you have in mind.
Speckled Trout fishing in the backwater and river areas has not been as spectacular. A few hero days are followed by zero days. In between, there have been some average trout fishing days, but the Reds seem to be a better inshore target at the moment but it will improve as the water temperature rises with the spring season.
Whiting fishing just off the beaches is absolutely incredible and some of the great eating little goodies are of good size as well. No matter what anyone says about whiting fishing, when they're here in these numbers and sizes there are sometimes no better options for a great eating fish. Why would you want anything better? And hey, you'll catch some small bonnet head sharks and other species on that ultra-light spinning tackle while you're catching a cooler full of those great eating Whiting!
Offshore fishing has everyone on the eastern seaboard on edge. Black Sea Bass has been closed by the Federal Government this year. It could possibly re-open with an imposed season in place as early as June of this year, but no one really knows.
With that in mind, we switched our game around. The new offshore reef target is now HUGE Sheepshead that come on to spawn on certain reefs just offshore of the GA Coast. Not every reef has this special inhabitance, but many of them do.
When I tell you big sheepshead, I mean big ones. We have boated many fish in the 8-10 pound range this season and it's just now in prime swing.

There isn't a much better eating, hard pulling reef fish out there within ten miles of the dock! There just isn't… We plan to capitalize on these brawny, reef bandits while they're here and in full force on the nearshore reefs here on the Georgia Coast.
Till next time, good luck fishing and tight lines to all!
PS – Want to know the three biggest lies your competitors tell you the day before a fishing Tournament? Here they are!
1. It's Supposed to be Calm Tomorrow
2. This boat won't wet you…..
3. Good Luck
All Lies! …… Just a little Tournament Humor for those of you who know about Tournament Fishing.
Cheers!

Capt. TJ Cheek
Costa Del Mar Pro Guide
St. Simons Fishing Charters