Ready to get your line in the water? Don’t let the cooler temperatures dissuade you. Anglers reel in sea trout, redfish, and sheepshead during winter excursions off the Georgia coast and in its back bays and rivers.
Even those “cooler” daily averages range in the low 60s, so our moderate weather is one thing that makes even winter an excellent time for baiting a hook and dropping a line.
Fishing License
It’s easy to get a license. Non-residents under 16 don’t even need one. But if you are 16 or older, you can purchase a license online from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Licenses are available for daily use, annual or add-on days.
Where to Fish
A wide variety of places for good catches awaits. Pier fishing is available at the Tybee Island Fishing Pier & Pavilion, Lazaretto Creek Fishing Pier, and Back River Fishing Pier. Bring shrimp bait for fishing on Lazaretto Creek and hit it in outgoing water. Back River Fishing Pier is perfect for crabbing.
Stay in an oceanview rental, and you can walk to the beach with rod and reel in hand. Anglers can find great fishing spots in places with structures like jetties and pilings. Fish run close to shore, so you don’t have to cast far out. Early in the day or early evening at a half-tide make great times to fish the shore. Use live bait if possible, and get your bait on the bottom.
Fishing Charter
If you want an expert to put you on the big fish, book an offshore charter. Amick’s Deep Sea Fishing takes anglers on half-day to artificial wrecks and reefs with 20 miles of the coast. These trips can net catches of Black Sea Bass, Trigger Fish, Sea Bream, Sheepshead, Red Drum, Porgies, Cobia and Sharks. Full-day excursions go from 20 to 50 miles offshore, offering the possibility of species including Red, Vermilion and Silver Snapper, Grouper, Amber Jack, King Mackerel, Cobia, HogFish, Trigger Fish, Black Sea Bass, and a variety of Sharks. Of course, there are other charters, including Reel Em’ N, Marshland Inshore Fishing Adventures, Miss Judy’s Charters, and Tybee Island Charters.
Whether you’re into serious sports fishing or a weekend angler, Tybee Island offers plenty of fishing opportunities. Even during the winter. Grab a jacket and maybe a beanie. Oh, and you’re also going to want to pack the cooler to fill with your catch.
Another great reason to book a Tybee Island fishing trip: any of our rentals puts you close to the marinas, launches, beaches, and creeks. The well-equipped kitchens in all our rentals or outdoor grills provided at some make it easy to cook up those fresh fish.
