April is definitely our strongest “transition” month for both weather and fish. Wide ranging temperatures, wind, rain, fog, and sunshine may welcome you on any given day, and sometimes ALL on the SAME day! The fish in April can also be just as unpredictable! The good news is many patterns remain fairly consistent and we welcome many of our warmer weather species back to the Golden Isles!

As water temps turn north of the 68 degree mark, flounder, whiting, triple tail, sharks, black drum, blue fish, Spanish mackerel, Cobia, and others file in right behind the preferred prey of menhaden, glass minnows, mullet, fiddler crabs and other smaller forage. Patterning where and what depth any particular species may be biting can be tricky at times as both predator and prey become quite mobile running from near shore to quite a few miles inland. Really, with so many options, it can be a good problem, as all types of tackle for all ages and skill levels are viable options.

And of course, two of Georgia’s healthiest year round residence and favorite targets, red fish and speckled trout, also shine in April. Both redfish and trout will be found feeding heavily in the main rivers, sounds and in smaller creeks. A few optimum targets include docks, fallen trees, deeper holes in smaller tributaries, and my favorite, shells.

We still have a few days open in May, and June is filling fast! Tarpon will be thick by July, so book early!

Capt. Tim Cutting