Artificial Lure here with your April 21 fishing report straight from the banks of the Savannah River, straddling Georgia and South Carolina. After a week of true spring weather, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic day on the water.

First up, the sun rose at 6:48 this morning and you can expect sunset around 8:01 tonight. Tidal action is favorable, with a big morning high tide peaking at 8:25 AM at 7.57 feet, then another at 8:53 PM at 8.09 feet. Low tides hit at 2:43 AM and 2:53 PM, opening up some prime windows for both inshore and upriver fishing action along the marsh edges and flats. Weather’s ideal for anglers: partly cloudy, light breeze, temps climbing from the upper 50s into the low 80s by afternoon. The water’s warming up, and the fish have noticed[4].

Fish activity is strong right now. Bass are in all stages of the spawn—many early spawners have wrapped it up and are feeding hard before summer heat sets in, while others are still on beds. Expect aggressive largemouths and spotted bass willing to hit soft plastics and spinnerbaits in the creeks and backwaters. Catfishing is picking up, especially with the recent rise and stabilization of river levels. Channel and blue cats are biting well on cut bait and chicken livers. Crappie action in the oxbows is consistent, mainly on minnows under floats or small jigs[2][5].

In the tidal inshore zones near Savannah, the traditional spring trio—redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder—are all on the move. Redfish and trout are cruising the grass lines and creek mouths, especially on the incoming tide. Live shrimp under an adjustable float or popping cork remains your best ticket for both species, but soft plastic paddle tails in natural colors are also a top choice when shrimp are hard to come by. Flounder are showing up around sandy points and docks and are quick to pounce on finger mullet or Gulp baits bounced along the bottom[1][4].

Recent catches out of the river and nearby saltwater include plenty of eating-size redfish, a solid mix of seatrout (with some keepers around 16-18 inches), and good numbers of channel cats and bluegill for those fishing bait. Locals report the backwaters near Abercorn Creek have been hot for crappie and bream.

For hot spots, try the stretch between Houlihan Bridge and the entrance to the Back River for mixed bags of bass and cats. Near the city, the mouth of the Wilmington River and the surrounding grass flats are loaded with redfish and trout at high tide. If you’re after panfish, poke around the oxbows off Hwy 17, especially where you find submerged timber.

Best baits today: live shrimp, cut bait for cats, and soft plastics in green pumpkin or chartreuse. Don’t forget your dip net, and bring a camera—spring on the Savannah brings out some slabs and linesides you’ll want to remember.

Tight lines and see you on the water.