What Little Tybee Island Offers Anglers

Little Tybee Island sits in the mouth of the Savannah River where it meets the Atlantic, about 20 miles east of downtown Savannah. It is a narrow barrier island with shallow marsh on the west side and open ocean on the east, making it a working ground for both saltwater and brackish-water species. The island itself is undeveloped and mostly protected as part of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge system, so access is limited to boat traffic and a few designated landing areas.

The fishing here splits into two distinct zones. The marsh side holds redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder in water that ranges from knee-deep to six feet depending on tide. The ocean side produces Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and bluefish in the deeper channels and along the drop-offs. Because the island sits at the river mouth, you get tidal influence that changes the bite dramatically — incoming tide pushes baitfish into the shallows, while outgoing tide concentrates fish in the deeper cuts.

Key Takeaways

  • Little Tybee Island is accessible only by boat; there is no bridge or ferry service, so you will need your own vessel or a charter captain.
  • The marsh side holds redfish and spotted seatrout in shallow water; the ocean side produces mackerel and bluefish in deeper channels.
  • Tides control the fishing here more than most Savannah waters — incoming tide moves fish into the shallows, outgoing tide concentrates them in deep cuts.
  • The island is part of a wildlife refuge, so landing is restricted to designated areas and certain seasons; check current regulations before you go.

Boat Access and Launch Points

You will need a boat to reach Little Tybee Island. The nearest public launch ramps are at Lazaretto Creek (on Tybee Island proper) and at Cockspur Island, both about 15 to 20 minutes by water depending on your boat speed and the tide. Lazaretto Creek has a paved ramp and parking; Cockspur Island has a smaller ramp and less crowded conditions. From either launch, you run east through the Savannah River channel, then navigate the shallower water around the island itself.

If you do not own a boat, charter captains operating out of Tybee Island and Savannah regularly fish Little Tybee waters. They know the tidal patterns, the seasonal movements of fish, and the current landing restrictions. A half-day charter typically runs four to six hours and costs between $300 and $500 depending on the captain and season. Charter boats also handle the navigation and know which areas are open to fishing on any given day.

The water around Little Tybee can be rough, especially on the ocean side during wind or incoming tide. Shallow-draft boats (18 to 22 feet) work best because the marsh side drops from three feet to six feet quickly, and you will be running through narrow channels where a deep-V hull can ground out. If you are new to the area, running with a guide or charter captain on your first trip is worth the cost — the channels shift with storms and dredging, and local knowledge saves time and fuel.

Marsh-Side Fishing for Redfish and Trout

The western shore of Little Tybee Island is a maze of shallow marsh creeks, grass flats, and sandy holes. This is redfish and spotted seatrout water. Redfish here run 18 to 28 inches on average, with occasional fish pushing 35 inches. They hunt the edges of the grass and the deeper holes on the incoming tide, when baitfish get pushed into the shallows. Spotted seatrout are smaller — usually 12 to 18 inches — and they school in the deeper pockets and along the channel edges.

Sight-casting works well on calm mornings when you can see the fish tailing in the shallows. Poling a shallow-draft skiff or kayak through the grass flats and looking for the telltale tail or wake of a feeding redfish is the classic approach. Live shrimp under a popping cork, or small mullet on a light jig head, both work. If you cannot see the fish, work the channel edges and grass lines with soft plastics — 3 to 4-inch paddle-tail shads in natural colors (white, silver, tan) cast parallel to the grass and worked slowly.

Flounder also live in this zone, holding in the deeper holes and sandy pockets. They are ambush predators, so they sit still and wait for baitfish to pass. Live shrimp or small mullet dropped into a hole and left to move naturally often draws a strike. Flounder fishing is less about casting and more about knowing where the deep spots are — this is where a guide's knowledge of the bottom pays off.

Ocean-Side Fishing for Mackerel and Bluefish

The eastern side of Little Tybee Island faces the Atlantic directly. The water is deeper, the current is stronger, and the fish are more aggressive. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel are the primary targets here, along with bluefish and occasional cobia. Spanish mackerel run 15 to 24 inches and are fast, aggressive strikers that hit small shiny lures hard. King mackerel are larger — 30 to 50 inches is common — and they hunt the deeper channels and drop-offs.

Casting small spoons (1/2 to 3/4 ounce) or metal jigs into the current and working them fast draws strikes from Spanish mackerel. They respond to speed and flash, so keep the lure moving and be ready for a hard take. King mackerel prefer live baitfish — mullet or mackerel — fished on a wire leader in the deeper channels. The current here is strong enough that you will be drifting or anchoring in specific spots rather than casting from a moving boat.

Bluefish school in the same areas and hit the same lures as Spanish mackerel, but they are tougher fighters and their teeth are sharper — use a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader to avoid bite-offs. The ocean side is also where you will find cobia in spring and early summer, though they are less predictable than the mackerel. Cobia are bottom-oriented and respond to live eels or large mullet fished near structure or in the deeper holes.

Tides and Seasonal Timing

Tides control the fishing at Little Tybee Island more than at most Savannah waters. The incoming tide pushes baitfish into the shallow marsh, and the redfish and trout follow. The first two hours of incoming tide are usually the most productive for marsh-side fishing. As the tide peaks and begins to fall, the fish move back into the deeper channels and holes. The outgoing tide concentrates fish in the cuts and channels, making them easier to locate but also more pressured.

Spring and early summer (April through June) bring the best redfish bite, when spawning fish move into the shallows and feed aggressively. Spotted seatrout are active year-round but peak in spring and fall. Spanish mackerel arrive in May and stay through September, with the best bite in June and July. King mackerel show up in June and are present through October. Flounder are available year-round but are most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate.

Winter fishing is possible but slower. Water temperatures drop into the 50s, and fish move into the deepest holes and channels. Redfish and trout are less aggressive, and mackerel move offshore. If you fish in winter, focus on the deeper pockets and fish slowly — live baitfish fished on the bottom often outperform lures.

Wildlife Refuge Regulations and Landing Restrictions

Little Tybee Island is part of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge system, and access is restricted. You cannot land on most of the island, and certain areas are closed to fishing during nesting season (typically April through August for shorebirds). Before you fish, check the current regulations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Georgia Department of Natural Resources — rules change year to year and sometimes within a season.

There are a few designated landing areas where you can beach a boat or kayak, but these are limited and may be closed depending on the season. If you are fishing from a boat without landing, you have more freedom, but you still need to know which areas are open. A charter captain will have the current restrictions and know where you can legally fish on any given day.

Saltwater fishing in Georgia requires a saltwater fishing license if you are 16 or older. You can purchase a three-day license, a seven-day license, or an annual license through the Georgia DNR website or at most tackle shops. The license is inexpensive and covers all saltwater species in state waters.

Tackle and Gear for Little Tybee Waters

For marsh-side fishing, bring a 6 to 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with 15 to 20-pound braided line. Braided line cuts through the grass and gives you better feel in the shallows. Tie on a small popping cork with a 2-foot leader of 15-pound fluorocarbon, then attach a live shrimp or small soft plastic. A 6 to 8-foot shallow-draft skiff or a kayak works best for poling the flats.

For ocean-side fishing, step up to a 7 to 8-foot medium spinning rod with 20 to 30-pound braided line. Carry a selection of small spoons (1/2 to 3/4 ounce), metal jigs (1 to 2 ounce), and live baitfish rigs with wire leaders. The current on the ocean side is strong, so heavier lures help you stay in the strike zone. A 20 to 24-foot center console or similar boat handles the deeper water and rougher conditions better than a shallow-draft skiff.

Bring polarized sunglasses for sight-casting on the marsh side — they cut the glare and let you see fish in the shallows. A GPS unit or chartplotter is essential for navigation, especially if you are new to the area. The channels shift, and it is easy to run aground in unfamiliar water. A tide table or tide app on your phone helps you plan your fishing around the tidal cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I kayak to Little Tybee Island and fish?

Yes, kayaking to Little Tybee Island is possible and popular, especially for marsh-side fishing. The distance from Tybee Island is about 3 to 4 miles depending on your route, and the water is mostly protected. Bring a GPS or know the route before you go, and check the tide and weather — the water can get rough quickly if the wind picks up.

What is the best time of year to fish Little Tybee Island?

Spring (April through June) is the most productive season overall. Redfish and trout are active, Spanish mackerel are arriving, and the weather is usually stable. Summer (July through September) is good for mackerel and bluefish but can be hot and slow for redfish. Fall (October through November) brings another strong bite for redfish and trout as water temperatures cool.

Do I need a guide to fish Little Tybee Island?

A guide is not required, but it is helpful if you are new to the area. The channels and landing restrictions change, and a local guide knows the current conditions and regulations. If you have a boat and GPS, you can fish on your own, but plan extra time for navigation and scouting.

What size fish can I expect to catch?

Redfish average 18 to 28 inches, with occasional larger fish. Spotted seatrout run 12 to 18 inches. Spanish mackerel are 15 to 24 inches, and king mackerel are 30 to 50 inches. Flounder are typically 14 to 20 inches. These are averages — you will catch smaller fish and occasionally larger ones.

Is there a fee to fish Little Tybee Island?

There is no fee to fish the waters around Little Tybee Island, but you do need a Georgia saltwater fishing license if you are 16 or older. A three-day license costs around $7, a seven-day license around $15, and an annual license around $27. Prices vary slightly year to year.