Savannah River Fishing Report: Crappie, Bass, and Catfish Thriving in Chilly Waters

As of December 19, 2024, the Savannah River is offering some promising fishing conditions despite the cold weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Tidal Conditions The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 58 degrees and a low of 36 degrees. Winds will be moderate, up to 15 mph. Tides will be relatively stable, with the high tide at around 9:30 AM and the low tide at 3:30 PM. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 7:17 AM, and sunset will be at 5:14 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and afternoon fishing. ### Fish Activity Fish activity has been decent, especially in the backwater oxbows and main river channels. Bass, crappie, and catfish are the primary targets this time of year. ### Recent Catches Yesterday, anglers reported catching several largemouth bass in the 2-4 pound range using Spro Little John crankbaits in fire tiger and chartreuse with black back. Crappie were also active, particularly in deeper waters around 15-16 feet, where anglers used 1/16-oz. crawfish Warmouth Whacker Jigs and Tennessee shad Specktacular Jigs. Catfish were biting well on livers and stink baits fished on the bottom. ### Best Lures and Bait For bass, use slow-retrieved crankbaits like the Spro Little John or switch to a Texas rig with a 6-inch finesse worm from Big Bite Baits in black. For crappie, trolling or casting jigs like the Warmouth Whacker or Specktacular Jigs in deeper waters is effective. Catfish are best caught using livers or stink baits on the bottom. ### Hot Spots - The backwater oxbows near the city of Savannah are great for crappie and bass. - The main river channels, especially around points and islands, are good for bass and catfish. - The Savannah River oxbows, such as those fished by Mark Vick, have been productive for crappie and giant fliers. Overall, the Savannah River is offering a mix of species and some good fishing opportunities despite the cold weather. Be patient, and adjust your presentation according to the fish's finicky nature in the cold water. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.