Georgia Saltwater Fishing Report – March 2008

Saltwater: Inshore: Capt. Greg Hildreth said the inshore fishing has been pretty good with the mild temps. “Speckled trout are biting in water depths of 4 to 8 feet and are doing the best with live shrimp under the Billy Bay version of the Low Country Lighting slip-sinker floats. Sight fishing for the redfish has also been good on the mud flats at low tide. The fish have been taking a variety of baits such as Top Dogs and Bite-A-Bait floaters in the silver-and-black-back colors. Another good bait has been the Berkley Gulp on a 1/4-oz. jig head,” Greg said.

Nearshore: Whiting and sheepshead are the March bites. “The whiting have been doing well on squid and shrimp in 12 to 20 feet of water off of St. Simons. The sheepshead fishing on the nearshore reefs has started picking up and should only get better the closer we get to spring,” Greg said.

Offshore: Bottom fishing is good for black sea bass this month. Capt. Judy Helmey said she likes to fish water 55 degrees or more. “Black sea bass will feed in colder water, but the bite will be slow, meaning you need to give that fish tugging on your bait time to eat. Over these past weeks water temperatures at the artificial reefs located in 50 feet of water have been on the cool side. However, once I moved offshore to the next set of artificial reefs, I was in 1 to 2 degrees of warmer water. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it made a big difference. Capt. Helmey said for those willing to make the run, this is the time to crank those engines and head for the blue water. “This is black-fin tuna and wahoo time,” Capt. Helmey said. “I suggest making the run to the blue water as far south as your dare to go. The south end is in. If you don’t believe me, go and watch what happens!”