When yellowfin are off Savannah
Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Savannah runs in two windows, April to June and September to November, according to FishingBooker’s Savannah fishing guide. The same source lists R-6 Tower and the North Hole as where boats run. This guide covers when the fish are around, how far boats run, and the grounds you pass on the way out.
Launches, inlets and conditions are covered in the Savannah port guide. For how yellowfin feed and move, see the yellowfin tuna guide.
Spring window (April to June)
April to June is the first of the two windows that boats plan the long run around.
Fall window (September to November)
September to November is the second window, which gives three more months to plan the run.
| Window | Months |
|---|---|
| Spring | April to June |
| Fall | September to November |
Where Savannah boats run
Savannah boats run to R-6 Tower and the North Hole for yellowfin. For the offshore water beyond the North Hole, see the Atlantic Southeast yellowfin guide (see also the Atlantic Southeast offshore fishing guide).
The list below runs in order of distance from the beach:
- J-Buoy: 16 miles east of Tybee Island
- North Hole: about 60 miles east of Savannah
- R-6 Tower: one of the two places boats run in the two windows
J-Buoy
J-Buoy sits 16 miles east of Tybee Island. It works as a waypoint on the run out, past the reefs.
North Hole
The North Hole is about 60 miles east of Savannah, which makes 120 miles round trip before a line goes in the water. Fuel and daylight need to be planned around that distance.
R-6 Tower
R-6 Tower is the other place Savannah boats run for yellowfin in the two windows.
Grounds and structure on the way out
The Georgia offshore artificial reefs and the Savannah Snapper Banks are the named structure off Savannah. They are listed here in distance order:
| Ground | Depth | Distance | Direction from |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSF reef | 29 ft | 4 nautical miles | east of Little Tybee Island |
| SAV reef | 40 ft | 6 nautical miles | southeast of Tybee Island |
| DUA reef | 45 ft | 7 nautical miles | east of Ossabaw Island |
| KC reef | 50 ft | 9 nautical miles | east of Wassaw Island |
| Savannah Snapper Banks | 100 ft |
The reef positions are listed on Georgia DNR’s offshore reef page. Positions on this page are not for navigation.
Reference points, not tuna grounds
The reefs sit 4 to 9 nautical miles out in 29 to 50 ft of water. J-Buoy is at 16 miles, and the North Hole is about 60 miles. Since the reefs mark the start of the run rather than the end, they are most useful as checkpoints on the way out.
Yellowfin tuna fishing out of Savannah: who fishes for them
Boats make the long run to the North Hole and R-6 Tower in the April to June and September to November windows.
Miss Judy Charters is a local charter that lists yellowfin tuna. Anyone who has not made a 60-mile run can fish the same windows with a charter.
FAQ: yellowfin out of Savannah
When is the best time for yellowfin tuna fishing out of Savannah?
April to June and September to November. Boats run to the North Hole and R-6 Tower in those windows.
How far is the North Hole from Savannah?
About 60 miles east of Savannah, or about 120 miles round trip before fishing time.
Where is J-Buoy?
16 miles east of Tybee Island, past the Georgia offshore artificial reefs, which lie 4 to 9 nautical miles out.
Can you charter for yellowfin out of Savannah?
Yes. Miss Judy Charters is a local charter that lists yellowfin tuna.
Where do I find the rules for yellowfin off Georgia?
Read the Atlantic tunas federal rules and the Georgia regulations. Check both before fishing.
Where can I read about other tuna species and ports?
The tuna fishing guides cover other tuna species and ports along the coast.
