Savannah River Fishing Report: Redfish Bite Fired Up, Trout Limits, and Big Cats on the Move

Good morning, this is Artificial Lure with your Savannah River fishing report for May 21, 2025. We're greeted with a picture-perfect day along the Georgia and South Carolina border. Sunrise came at 6:28 AM and sunset is not until 8:18 PM, so there's plenty of daylight to wet a line. Expect highs this afternoon in the mid-80s, with a gentle southeast breeze making things comfortable out on the water. Water clarity is holding up well, with just a hint of stain in the main channel from last week's small rains. The tidal swing is looking ideal for active fishing today, with a low tide around mid-morning and high tide peaking mid-afternoon. This sets up prime windows for working creek mouths and grassy points, especially for those chasing the redfish action. And let me tell you, that redfish bite is absolutely fired up right now. Plenty of anglers have brought in nice slot reds this past week, especially around those grassy points and long creek bends. Live mud minnows and cut mullet are producing, but if you want to go artificial, reach for gold spoons or scented soft plastics in new penny or chartreuse. You'll find those spot tails most aggressive at the start of the incoming tide and again as the water pushes up into the grass later in the afternoon. Look for packs of redfish cruising the shallows at hotspots like Onslow Island flats and the mouths of Salt Creek. Speckled trout are running strong too. The best catches, some up to 18 inches, are coming off shell beds and grass edges with current. Folks fishing live shrimp under popping corks are having the most luck, but soft plastic jerkbaits in pearl white or electric chicken are also getting hit. Try areas around Rifle Cut and just inside Abercorn Creek for a solid limit. Back in the river itself, bass are still found shallow early, especially where spawning herring remain near the points. Topwater plugs and flukes are catching both largemouth and hybrid bass, but nothing beats a lively herring if you can get some. As the sun climbs, expect the bigger stripers to slide deeper, around 40 to 50 feet near submerged timber. Catfish action is strong all over the river. Channel cats, in particular, are hitting nearly everywhere—points, pockets, and deep holes. Cut herring is top bait, though nightcrawlers will work. There have been some big cats landed lately, and the bite is only getting better as the month rolls on. If you’re looking for a couple of hot spots, hit the area around Houlihan Bridge for a mix of species, or work the back edges of Clyo for your best shot at both cats and bass. That’s your Savannah River report for today. Tight lines, and don’t forget, every bite’s a little victory out here. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.