Georgia · Georgia Coast
TARPON FISHING
IN TYBEE ISLAND
Tybee Island is a solid destination for tarpon fishing. Book a charter and target tarpon with local experts.
About Tarpon Fishing in Tybee Island
The Silver King. One of the most exciting gamefish in the world, known for spectacular aerial acrobatics.
The Silver King is arguably the most exciting gamefish in the ocean. Atlantic Tarpon are massive, silver-scaled fish that can exceed 200 lbs, with mirror-like scales the size of silver dollars. When hooked, they launch into spectacular aerial acrobatics — sometimes jumping 6-8 feet out of the water — creating the most thrilling sight in sportfishing. Their oversized, upturned mouth and prehistoric appearance (the species is 100+ million years old) make them instantly recognizable. Tarpon are catch-and-release only in most areas.
Scientific name: Megalops atlanticus
Tarpon Seasonal Calendar — Tybee Island
Month-by-month availability for tarpon in Tybee Island, GA.
How to Catch Tarpon in Tybee Island
Techniques & Bait
Live crabs (blue crabs or pass crabs) drifted in passes and channels during the spring migration is the classic technique. Live mullet, pinfish, and threadfin herring are also top baits. Artificial lures like DOA Baitbusters, large soft plastic swimbaits, and heavy jigs worked near bridges and passes at night produce trophy fish. Fly fishing for rolling tarpon on the flats using large Tarpon Toads, EP baitfish patterns, and Black Death flies (2/0-4/0 hooks) is considered the ultimate fly fishing challenge.
Recommended Tackle
Heavy spinning: 7'6" heavy rod, 6000-8000 reel, 50-65 lb braid, 60-80 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 12-weight rod, large arbor reel with 200+ yards of backing. Circle hooks (5/0-7/0) are required in many areas.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Tybee Island
Top spots where local captains target tarpon and other inshore species.
Lazaretto Creek
Lazaretto Creek separates Tybee Island from the mainland marsh system, creating a productive tidal waterway where redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and speckled trout hold along the dock pilings, oyster beds, and creek bends. The creek's strong tidal flow concentrates baitfish on moving tides, drawing gamefish from the surrounding marsh. The Lazaretto Creek boat ramp is the primary launch point for Tybee Island fishing, and anglers often catch quality fish before leaving the creek itself.
Tybee Creek
Tybee Creek runs along the south side of Tybee Island, winding through pristine spartina marsh where redfish, flounder, and trout feed on the abundant shrimp and crab populations. The creek's oyster shell banks and undercut marsh edges provide prime ambush structure for redfish cruising the shallows on rising tides. Low-tide sight-fishing for tailing redfish on the exposed mud flats along Tybee Creek is a quintessential Georgia Lowcountry inshore experience.
Bull River
The Bull River flows between Tybee Island and Wilmington Island through a wide tidal channel lined with spartina marsh and oyster beds that hold redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and black drum. The river's width and depth allow it to be fished from the bank, by kayak, or from larger boats, making it one of the most accessible inshore fishing spots near Tybee Island. Winter sheepshead fishing around the Bull River's dock pilings and bridge structure produces impressive catches.
Little Tybee Island Creeks
Little Tybee Island is an undeveloped barrier island south of Tybee accessible only by boat, and its network of tidal creeks and marsh flats provide pristine inshore habitat for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. The island's lack of development ensures minimal fishing pressure and healthy populations of gamefish feeding on the rich marsh ecosystem. Kayak anglers paddle from Tybee across the creek to explore Little Tybee's secluded creeks for a wilderness fishing experience.
Other Species in Tybee Island
More fish you can target while visiting Tybee Island.
Tarpon Fishing in Tybee Island — FAQ
Tarpon fishing in Tybee Island is productive during .
Tarpon fishing charters in Tybee Island are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live crabs (blue crabs or pass crabs) drifted in passes and channels during the spring migration is the classic technique. Live mullet, pinfish, and threadfin herring are also top baits. Artificial lures like DOA Baitbusters, large soft plastic swimbaits, and heavy jigs worked near bridges and passes at night produce trophy fish. Fly fishing for rolling tarpon on the flats using large Tarpon Toads, EP baitfish patterns, and Black Death flies (2/0-4/0 hooks) is considered the ultimate fly fishing challenge.
No — when you book a charter in Tybee Island, your captain provides all required Georgia fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Tarpon regulations in Georgia include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Tarpon in Tybee Island, you may also catch Redfish, Sheepshead, Cobia, King Mackerel, Black Drum. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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