When Sailfish Are Off Savannah
Sailfish fishing out of Savannah is a summer trip, per FishingBooker’s Savannah guide. The fish are a Gulf Stream target, so the season comes with a long offshore run.
The Savannah port guide covers the port itself. For biology and general behavior, see the sailfish species guide. For the regional picture beyond this port, there is an Atlantic Southeast sailfish guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast region guide).
The Run and the Grounds
The run starts at reefs 4 to 9 nautical miles out, passes J-Buoy and the Savannah Snapper Banks, and ends at North Hole and the R-6 Tower in the Gulf Stream. Mapped waypoints for these grounds in Breakpoint can help you plan the offshore run, though the chart layers are not for navigation.
Before committing to the run, check wind, wave height and period on the official National Weather Service marine forecast.
Nearshore Reefs on the Way Out
You pass familiar water first. The Georgia DNR artificial reef listings give positions and depths for the four reefs below, ordered by distance:
| Reef | Depth (ft) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| BSF | 29 | 4 nm east of Little Tybee Island |
| SAV | 40 | 6 nm southeast of Tybee Island |
| DUA | 45 | 7 nm east of Ossabaw Island |
| KC | 50 | 9 nm east of Wassaw Island |
These work as structure on the way out and as reference points for the run.
J-Buoy and the Snapper Banks
J-Buoy sits 16 miles east of Tybee Island. The Savannah Snapper Banks run at 100 ft.
North Hole and the R-6 Tower
North Hole is about 60 miles east of Savannah, in the Gulf Stream. The R-6 Tower is the other named Gulf Stream ground that local boats run to. Boats head for these two Stream targets when they want sailfish.
How Sailfish Are Fished Here
Local boats troll ballyhoo or artificial lures for sailfish, working the Gulf Stream grounds described above. For rigging and spread details beyond this local note, see the billfish guides.
Who Fishes for Them From Savannah
Miss Judy’s Gulf Stream trip lists sailfish for trolling. The operator is Miss Judy Charters.
If you run your own boat, the charter’s method matches the local trolling approach above, so a trip with them is a way to see the run before taking your own boat out.
FAQ: Sailfish Fishing Out of Savannah
When is sailfish season out of Savannah?
Summer. Sailfish are a Gulf Stream target from this port, so the season comes with the long offshore run.
How far is North Hole from Savannah?
North Hole is about 60 miles east of Savannah, in the Gulf Stream. The R-6 Tower is the other named Stream ground that local boats run to for sailfish.
What do local boats troll for sailfish?
Local boats troll ballyhoo or artificial lures on the Gulf Stream grounds, and Miss Judy’s Gulf Stream trip lists sailfish for trolling.
Can I fish the nearshore reefs on the way out?
BSF, SAV, DUA and KC sit 4 to 9 nautical miles out, at 29 to 50 ft. J-Buoy is 16 miles east of Tybee Island, and the Snapper Banks run at 100 ft.
Who runs Gulf Stream trips that list sailfish?
Miss Judy Charters. Its Gulf Stream trip lists sailfish for trolling, which matches the method local boats use on the grounds above.
Where are the rules for sailfish off Georgia?
Georgia’s state saltwater regulations and the federal Atlantic billfish rules both apply. Check both before fishing.
