What You'll Find at King's Ferry

King's Ferry on the Ogeechee River is a brackish-water crossing about 30 miles south of Savannah where the river widens and begins to feel more like an estuary than a creek. The water here sits between fresh and salt — salinity changes with tide and season — which means you'll catch both freshwater species and fish that tolerate brackish conditions. Largemouth bass hold in the marsh grass and deeper holes year-round. Catfish, especially blue cats and flatheads, move through the channel and around structure. Redfish show up in fall and winter when they push into the lower river.

The ferry itself is long gone, but the name stuck to the landing and the general area. Access is straightforward: a public boat ramp sits on the north bank, and the river here is wide enough that you won't feel crowded even on weekends. The bottom is soft mud in most places, with oyster shell and sand bars that shift with the tide. Current is gentle but real — the river is tidal this far down, so water level and flow change predictably throughout the day.

Key Takeaways

  • King's Ferry is a public boat ramp on the lower Ogeechee where brackish water holds largemouth bass, catfish, and seasonal redfish.
  • Fish the marsh edges and deeper channel holes for bass; catfish bite better at night and around structure like fallen trees and oyster bars.
  • Tides control water level and movement here, so check tide tables before you go — incoming tide concentrates fish in shallow marsh, outgoing tide pushes them to the channel.
  • Summer heat makes midday fishing slow; spring and fall are most consistent, and winter redfish runs draw anglers from November through February.

Accessing the Ramp and Planning Your Trip

The King's Ferry boat ramp is located on GA 144 south of Midway, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Savannah. The ramp itself is a single concrete lane with a small parking area — not fancy, but functional. There is no fee to launch. Arrive early on weekends; the lot fills by mid-morning during spring and fall when the fishing is best.

The ramp is usable at most tide levels, though at extreme low tide the water can get shallow near the launch. Check the tide table for Savannah before you leave — the timing at King's Ferry lags Savannah by about 30 minutes. Bring a tide app or print the table; knowing whether the tide is coming in or going out changes where fish will be and how they'll bite.

Where Bass and Catfish Hold

Largemouth bass in this part of the Ogeechee live in the marsh. The river widens here into a maze of salt marsh grass, and bass use the edges where grass meets open water. Fish the outside bends of the marsh channels — these are deeper and hold more current, which concentrates baitfish and bass. Early morning and late afternoon are prime, but bass will bite through the day if you work the shade under overhanging trees.

Catfish are night feeders here, especially blue cats and flatheads. Fish the main channel after dark with live shad, mullet, or chicken liver. Flatheads prefer live baitfish and hunt actively at night; blues will take dead bait and scent. The deeper holes in the channel — anywhere from 8 to 15 feet — hold catfish during the day, but they move shallow to feed when the sun goes down. Set up near structure: fallen trees, oyster bars, and the pilings of old docks all hold catfish.

Redfish move into the lower Ogeechee in fall and stay through winter. They follow the tides, pushing into shallow marsh on the incoming tide to feed and retreating to the channel on the outgoing. Fish for them with live mullet or shrimp, or throw topwater plugs and spoons in the early morning. November through February is the window; by March they thin out as water warms.

Tides and Timing

The Ogeechee at King's Ferry is tidal, and the tide is the single most important thing to understand about fishing here. Incoming tide pushes water into the marsh, concentrating fish in shallow areas and along grass edges. Outgoing tide pulls fish back to the channel and deeper holes. The best fishing often happens during the transition — the first hour of incoming tide and the last hour of outgoing tide — when fish are actively moving and feeding.

Slack tide — the brief period when water stops moving between incoming and outgoing — can be slow. Fish are less active when there's no current to bring food to them. Plan your day around the tide table. If you want to fish the marsh, go during incoming tide. If you want to fish the channel for catfish, the outgoing tide concentrates them and makes them easier to find.

Seasonal Patterns and Best Times

Spring (March through May) is consistent. Water temperatures are warming, bass are active, and catfish are feeding before the heat of summer. Redfish are thinning out but still around early in the season. Expect good topwater action in the early morning and solid bite throughout the day if you work the right structure.

Summer (June through August) is slow during the day. Heat pushes bass deep and makes them lethargic. Fish early and late, or switch to night fishing for catfish. The marsh can be productive at dawn and dusk, but midday is often a waste of time. Mosquitoes are thick, so bring repellent.

Fall (September through November) is excellent. Water cools, fish become active again, and redfish start moving in. Bass bite well throughout the day. This is the busiest season at King's Ferry, and for good reason.

Winter (December through February) is the redfish season. Water is cold, and redfish are the most reliable bite. Bass slow down but don't disappear. Catfish still bite at night. Dress warm — the wind off the marsh can be cold and wet.

Tackle and Bait

For bass, bring a 6.5 to 7-foot medium-power rod with a baitcasting reel spooled with 15 to 20-pound braided line. Topwater plugs, soft plastics in the 4 to 6-inch range, and spinnerbaits all work. The marsh is snaggy, so heavier line and a willingness to lose a few lures is part of the game. Weedless rigging helps.

For catfish, a 7 to 8-foot medium-heavy rod with a conventional reel and 20 to 30-pound monofilament is standard. Use a three-way rig or a simple slip sinker with a circle hook. Circle hooks are better for catch-and-release because they usually hook in the corner of the mouth. Bring live shad, mullet, or chicken liver. Fresh bait works better than frozen, but frozen will catch fish.

For redfish, a 7-foot medium rod with 15 to 20-pound braided line works well. Live mullet or shrimp under a popping cork is the classic setup. Topwater plugs and spoons also draw strikes. Redfish are strong and can cut line on oyster shells, so don't skimp on line strength.

What to Bring and Safety Notes

The Ogeechee at King's Ferry is open water with strong tides. Wear a life jacket, especially if you're in a small boat or kayak. The current can surprise you, and the water is murky — if you go in, you won't see the bottom. Check the weather before you launch; wind can kick up the water quickly in this wide section.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. The marsh offers no shade once you're away from the ramp. Mosquitoes are relentless in warm months, so insect repellent is not optional. A tide table or app is essential. Bring a headlamp if you plan to fish into dusk or at night — the marsh is dark and disorienting after sunset.

The ramp area has no facilities. The nearest gas, food, and supplies are in Midway, about 10 minutes away. Fill up before you come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I kayak at King's Ferry?

Yes, many anglers kayak here. The water is generally calm, but tides are strong — know which direction the tide is moving before you launch. Stay close to the ramp area if you're new to the river; the marsh can be confusing to navigate, and it's easy to get turned around. Wear a life jacket.

What's the best time of day to fish?

Early morning (first two hours after sunrise) and late afternoon (last two hours before sunset) are most consistent for bass. Catfish bite better at night. Redfish will bite throughout the day, but early morning is usually best. Tide timing matters more than clock time — fish the transitions between incoming and outgoing.

Do I need a Georgia fishing license?

Yes, anyone 16 and older needs a valid Georgia fishing license to fish the Ogeechee. You can purchase one online through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website or at most tackle shops and sporting goods stores. Licenses are available for a day, a year, or longer.

Are there size and bag limits?

Yes. Largemouth bass have a 12-inch minimum size limit with a five-fish daily bag. Catfish have no size limit and a 25-fish daily bag. Redfish have a 18-inch minimum and 27-inch maximum with a three-fish daily bag. Check the current Georgia fishing regulations before you go — rules can change.

What if the ramp is too shallow at low tide?

Plan your launch around the tide. If you're launching at extreme low tide, wait for the water to come in a bit, or launch at a different time. The ramp is usable most of the time, but very low tides can make it difficult. A shallow-draft boat or kayak handles low water better than a deep-V hull.