If you're planning to hit the Savannah River today, here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. As of October 16, the weather is looking pleasant with clear skies and a high temperature around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by gentle northeast winds at about 5 to 10 knots.

Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 6:45 PM, giving you a good window for both morning and evening fishing. Tides are crucial here; today, the high tide is expected at 10:15 AM and the low tide at 4:15 PM. These tidal changes will significantly influence fish activity, especially during the early morning and late evening hours.

Fish activity has been robust, with bass fishing being fair. Larger bass are moving to the channel ledges on the main lake, so use lures like Rapala DT10 in shad and green tiger colors, and consider Carolina rigs with a 1/4 to 3/8-ounce weight for best results. Yesterday saw a strong bite for redfish, with many anglers reporting legal-sized and larger fish, particularly around the tidal flats and creek mouths. Dead or live shrimp and soft plastics are the go-to choices for redfish.

Crappie fishing was also good, with anglers catching them in deeper waters and around docks using Spider rigging with live minnows and small jigs like the Red Rooster Dagger. Catfish are biting well in deeper bends and slack water areas, with spinnerbaits and nightcrawlers being effective.

For hot spots, try the backwater oxbows and the Intracoastal Waterway section of the river, where bass, bream, crappie, and catfish are abundant. Another good area is around the channel ledges on the main lake, especially during the tidal changes. The lower Savannah River, with its numerous backwater oxbows, offers excellent fishing opportunities for a variety of species.

Overall, the Savannah River is shaping up to be a fantastic spot for anglers on both the Georgia and South Carolina sides, so make sure to take advantage of these ideal conditions.