Tybee February/March?

[crumpet]

My folks got a house on Tybee end of February-end of March and I’ve never fished it that early (I fish it late Spring-end of October usually). What’s going to be my best option that time of year? Is the surf fishing any good that time of year or is it the classic wait for 65 degrees? Trout or redfish from lazareto boat launch? Fort Pulaski? Any other decent public access to the creeks fishing from shore? Anywhere to get live shrimp on Tybee? Thanks so much for any advice

 

[Fatback1]

March is a transitional month for inshore fishing. Its very hit or miss, mostly miss, and from the bank very challenging. Don't expect much the first part of March, however, if the wind permits, and the water temps are on the rise, the larger female Whiting start making their way into the surf zone after staging up in the deeper sounds and creeks. If they aren't biting in the surf, try the Back River pier.

For some guarantied action, you can target the Spotted Hake from the bank. They are smallish but willing to bite small pieces of fresh shrimp. Hint, use a small hook.

Trout are just starting to come out of their winter holes and are scattered and sluggish.

Inshore Reds are likely still in their winter pattern, feeding on the big mudflats trying not to get eaten by the dolphins.

 

[Yankee00]

Rather than start a new post, I hope to simply tack onto this one with my questions. We have rented a house on Tybee Island the week of March 8-15th. While the house is not oceanfront, I believe I will be trying to fish from the closest public entry point.

I booked an inland charter last spring break in Charleston and was introduced to the popping cork with shrimp as bait and it worked wonders in inland waters there. I have had some success with the same setup her in Virginia from piers.

Just wondering if anyone has ever tried popping corks in the surf, particularly on Tybee Island? Thank you in advance.

 

[Fatback1]

Yes, popping cork rigs in the surf can be productive on Tybee in the surf zone for Trout and sometimes Bluefish or Spanish Maceral. However, defiantly not in March or April and only when the water is relatively clean and the surf is mild.
The Trout are in the surf zone during May/June and Spanish June/July.

Best advice to catch anything in the Tybee surf during March is soak small pieces of fresh peeled shrimp on a bottom rig with smallish hooks. Whiting, Blues, Spotted Hake, Spots, Croaker, stingrays, and other stuff. Bigger female Whiting could be around, maybe, if your interested in eating fresh fish.

Try the back river fishing pier or beach on the south end of the island for likely overall better results, especially if the wind is strong out of the NE.

Don't expect to much action if the water temps are below 65 degrees, which during the first week of March is likely.

I took the time to respond, please take the time to tell us how you did?

 

[Yankee00]

Yes, popping cork rigs in the surf can be productive on Tybee in the surf zone for Trout and sometimes Bluefish or Spanish Maceral. However, defiantly not in March or April and only when the water is relatively clean and the surf is mild.
The Trout are in the surf zone during May/June and Spanish June/July.

Best advice to catch anything in the Tybee surf during March is soak small pieces of fresh peeled shrimp on a bottom rig with smallish hooks. Whiting, Blues, Spotted Hake, Spots, Croaker, stingrays, and other stuff. Bigger female Whiting could be around, maybe, if your interested in eating fresh fish.

Try the back river fishing pier or beach on the south end of the island for likely overall better results, especially if the wind is strong out of the NE.

Don't expect to much action if the water temps are below 65 degrees, which during the first week of March is likely.

I took the time to respond, please take the time to tell us how you did?

Thank you for the very detailed information, Fatback. My wife and daughter are under the delusion that they will be able to "lay out" at the beach in early March and wanted to drag me along, so I was looking for something to do.

By "back river fishing pier" do you mean the Fisherman's Walk pier that I see on Google maps?

Finally, I recently saw this vending machine where you can buy frozen bait around Savannah and perhaps Tybee. Have you ever seen one of these things? It seems like a crazy, yet ingenious idea. I was just wondering if they were real or not. Thank you in advance.

Mike

 

[Fatback1]

Yes, its possible to have a "lay out" beach on Tybee in March, just not all that probable. Wind is usually the problem.

Yes, Fisherman's Walk, there is a narrow fishing pier, but just as easy to fish from the sand back there. And, the chicks can get some sun.

Yes, bait vending machines are a thing. But, I very highly recommend not purchasing any frozen "fishing bait" from anywhere. Think about it, when something dies in the ocean it gets eaten right away, fresh and tasty! Nothing gets a chance to start decomposing and stinking in the ocean. "Frozen fishing bait" is stuff that got old and stinky and can't be sold as food, so they freeze it and try to get some money for it. And, even more stupid, the cost of the "fishing bait" by the pound is about the same as the food grade stuff.

Buy fresh local shrimp at the Tybee Market and you will catch fish. Hint, peel it, cut into small pieces and don't cover up the sticky part of your hook. Buy frozen "fishing bait" shrimp and you will catch little or nothing and your hands will stink. And, if you don't catch anything big enough to eat you can always take the fresh shrimp home and have a nice appetizer.

 

[Yankee00]

Thank you again, Fatback for your input. I was only considering these frozen bait machines because the reviews I found on TripAdvisor and Google were not that kind to he local bait shops near Tybee Island.

 

[Fatback1]

Thank you again, Fatback for your input. I was only considering these frozen bait machines because the reviews I found on TripAdvisor and Google were not that kind to he local bait shops near Tybee Island.

Yes Yankee, our local bait shops are few and spotty. Most local fisherman generally catch or trap their own bait.

 

[Yankee00]

Hey Fatback.....just so I am clear, are you recommending buying fresh "human grade" shrimp?

 

[Fatback1]

Yes sir, 100%! It’s about the same price as frozen “bait” shrimp, but waaaaay more effective.
You don’t need much, I generally buy 3/4 of a pound or so for a full day of surf fishing and about 1/2 pound or less for a half day.
Peel the shrimp, cut into small pieces and put on a hook, and then catch fish! Simple.

 

[Railroader]

Also, you can save yourself some trouble and worry by going to WalMart or Kroger and buying one of those two pound bags of small count (60-80) raw flash frozen shrimp. Transfer them by the handful into ziploc sammich bags and use em one at the time. You'll have enough for a few mornings fishin'.

One of those little shrimp is 2-3 baits, small bites are better!

Don't be the guy putting a whole shrimp on a hook...

 

[Railroader]

As far as surf or pier fishing goes, if you wouldn't eat it, it's no good for bait!!!

 

[Yankee00]

Thank you Fatback and Railroader for your insights. Based on what Fatback has stated previously, I think I will try my luck at the pier. I have had success with shrimp in the past, but never considered using MY shrimp, if you know what I mean? And Railroader, I must confess that in the past I am guilty of being one of those "whole shrimp" guys.....

 

[Railroader]

If you stop at a coastal Wally or Kroger for shrimp check the seafood dept for fresh squid.

If you find any, try those too. Cut em into thin 1/4" wide strips crosswize and each ring makes a couple or three baits, too.

Stays on a hook better than shrimp and just as effective...

If you try the Tybee or Back River piers, drop a line right down by the pilings, and you might get a sheephead or two...

 

[Yankee00]

If you stop at a coastal Wally or Kroger for shrimp check the seafood dept for fresh squid.

If you find any, try those too. Cut em into thin 1/4" wide strips crosswize and each ring makes a couple or three baits, too.

Stays on a hook better than shrimp and just as effective...

If you try the Tybee or Back River piers, drop a line right down by the pilings, and you might get a sheephead or two...

Thank you again, Railroader. As the Dad of a 16 year old daughter, I feel incredibly lucky that she is still willing to hang out with her Dad and go fishing. For me, it is all about getting her on fish. I will do my best.

 

[Yankee00]

Yes, popping cork rigs in the surf can be productive on Tybee in the surf zone for Trout and sometimes Bluefish or Spanish Maceral. However, defiantly not in March or April and only when the water is relatively clean and the surf is mild.
The Trout are in the surf zone during May/June and Spanish June/July.

Best advice to catch anything in the Tybee surf during March is soak small pieces of fresh peeled shrimp on a bottom rig with smallish hooks. Whiting, Blues, Spotted Hake, Spots, Croaker, stingrays, and other stuff. Bigger female Whiting could be around, maybe, if your interested in eating fresh fish.

Try the back river fishing pier or beach on the south end of the island for likely overall better results, especially if the wind is strong out of the NE.

Don't expect to much action if the water temps are below 65 degrees, which during the first week of March is likely.

I took the time to respond, please take the time to tell us how you did?

Good evening, Fatback1. I wanted to report in on our fishing (not catching). We had a few bad/rainy days while in Tybee. On the days when the sun was out, the wind was still whipping pretty hard. My daughter and I chose to work the Fisherman's Walk pier as it was less busy, but we learned it was also very thin.

When we went to fish, someone had already beat us to the pier and back ended the pier, so we were left to fish closer to shore. The gentlemen who had gotten there earlier did very well on whiting using shrimp. While my daughter and I caught nothing, this one gentleman reeled in 6 or 7 small to medium whiting while we were there.

 

[Robust Redhorse]

IME, land-based inshore fishing on the GA coast is really tough except for summer.

I wouldn't expend too much effort...

 

[Fatback1]

Yankee00,

Sorry things did not work out for you and yours, but not surprised given this time of year. March is always hit or miss with mostly misses, especially the first couple of weeks. Thanks for the report. Get um’ next time.

From your report I gather the Whiting are doing their early spring normal thing, staging up in the sounds and deeper creek mouths getting ready to hit the surf and spawn.

Even though you didn’t catch anything, did learn something about fishing in saltwater?

Very soon surf and pier fishing will be getting heated up around Tybee. Maybe you and yours could plan another fishing trip?

 

[brahhndo]

Went out to Tybee Saturday from like 8 to 2 and caught two whiting between two of us. We were on the north end of Tybee on the left side of the jetty using double drop rigs and fresh shrimp. I think we were the only guys that caught anything while we were there. Excited to see the increase here in the next few weeks as the water temps start to creep into the 65's.

 

[Robust Redhorse]

IME, the inshore Georgia coast is a summertime fishery.

I have never done great until the water temp get's close to 70.

It's quite a haul for me to get down there, but I've never had great luck until June.

Maybe some residents can "chime-in" ...