rl----AlTm."'.''ii<:c.a.n-E.....- - - _ Spotted Hato~-

Ladylish (Ten Pounder)

Southern Stingray

Oyster Toadlish

Bottom Rig

Terminal Float Rig

Sheepshead Rig

Fish Finder Rig

Many fishermen from non-coastal counties, especially those from out-a'-state, may possess limited knowledge of saltwater fishing techniques and may be unfamiliar with Georgia's indigenous marine sport fish species. Recreational saltwater fishing is excellent in Georgia, and every year, large numbers of spotted sealrout, red drum, black drum, sheepshead, flounder, whiting, spot, and croaker are laken. However, anglers fishing in unfamiliar waters thai exhibit 6 10 8 1001 tides may find difficulty in leaming the proven techniques necessary for producing a good fishing experience.
The following recommendations are intended to provide information on basic fishing techniques for some common sport fish found in Georgia's coastal waters. Also, daily information on what is biting can be obtained from most coastal marinas or local fishing equipment and bait outlets. Phone numbers for mannas and fISh camps afe provided
in the county map secfkwl.

S POTTED SEATROUT: The mosl commonly used method for seatrout is drift fishing a standard deep floating terminal rig baited with live shrimp. When fishing with a float rig, most anglers use bait casting reels with rods eight feet or longer. Seatrout are typically mid-water striking feeders. Live bait such as shrimp, finger-size mullet, mud minnows, and menhaden (pogies) are recommended. Although live shrimp are considered the best year-round bait for seatrout, from mid-November through March when water temperatures cool, artificial lures such as plastic tail grubs WOI1c just as well and oftentimes better. Fishing tackle for artificial lures usually consists of light spinning or spin cast reels spoo4ed with 8-10 pound line and rods six feet or longer. A number of inexpensive lures resembling
small fish may be purchased at marinas or tackle shops.
When fishing with lures, retrieve the line as sIowty as possible, allowing the lure to occasionally touch bottom.
Seatrout are basically schooling fish in areas with large
quantities of dead oyster shell, or near live oyster beds.

They prefer fringe areas adjacent to banks, points, jetties, and bars, but are also taken in deeper channels during cold water winter periods, or along open waters of the beaches during spring and summer.
REO DRUM (Spottall Bass): The most commonly used method for red drum fishing is a standard deep floating terminal rig baited with live or dead shrimp or small crabs. Although school-SIze red drum can be caught year-round in inshore estuarine waters, young-of-the-year red drum typically show up in June-August. However, fall is the best time 10 catch small school-size drum. Fishing for young red drum 15Ib) employs the same basic tactics, gear, and areas used to catch spotted seatrout. In addition to shrimp
and rlddler crabs, many anglers often use live finger-size
mullet or mud minnows 10 target medium-size red drum
(5 - 151b) found on open mud flats adjacent to large
expanses of salt marsh grass. Mud minnows and small
mullet may be easily collected with two-Iunnel minnow

traps baited with bread or a piece of fat-back bacon and set in a tidal ditch. II the trap is left unattended for an extended period of time, insure the area will have adequate water depth during low tide.
Angling for large red drum is strictly a surt fishing proposition. Surf fishing requires a long surf rod for long distance casting. Most anglers use 30 pound test m0nofilament line with terminal rigs consisting of either: 1) 4oz-
to-80z pyramid Of egg sinkers; 2) 3oz-to-4oz storm sinkers
rigged as a fish-finder with 7/0 to 9JO standard hooks. However, with recent size regulations requiring the release of the large-size drum, 12/0 to 14/0 circle hooks are highly recommended. Circle hooks are sell-setting which generally results in more hook-ups and the circle hook generally hooks in the mouth region thus greatly reducing -gutcaughr drum. The most popular bait is fresh-cut mullet and blue crabs for targeting large (>20 Ib) red drum. Fish for large drum in spring and fall in heavy surf near inlets.

B LACK DRUM, CROAKER and SPOT: These bottom feeders are some of the most numerous and easily caught fish and are usually taken with a "fish finder" or "bottom rig- baited with shrimp or rlddler crab. They are primarily estuarine fish, abundant in Georgia'S inshore waters from April to October. Coocentrations of black drum are often found near piers, docks, jetties. bridges, and areas of naturally occurring oyster shell mounds. Croakers prefer sandy hard bottom while spol prefer firm mud and clay bottom.
S HEEPSHEAD: Usually found around docks, piers, Jetties, and other structures encrusted with barnacles and oysters, the sheepshead is notorious for its ability 10 steal bait from the novice angler. The recommended
sheepshead rig consists of a 112 oz egg sinker, 8 to 10 inch leader, and 110 or 2JO hook baited with a fiddler crab. Hook the fiddler by inserting the barb 01 the hook between
lhe walking legs leaving the barb inside the crab. Fiddler
crabs may easily be obtained by hand from marsh sand
lIats Iocaled along island causeways.

After lowering the baited hook to the bottom next to a piling or encrusted structure, immediately take the slack out 01 the line and very slowly raise and lower the baited hook. The least amount of resistance or rod lip vibration should be considered a bite. Atter reeling in the line and only the carapace or shell 01 the fiddler crab remains on the hook, the angler will readily appreciate the skill 01 this king of bait stealers. The angler should never give up, only patience and time will provide the necessary skills to catch the elusive sheepshead.
F LOUNDER: Usually found in the fT1O(e open flat bottom areas where spotted seatrout and red drum concentrate, flounder are generally caught incidentally wrth seatrout and red drum on standard float rigs with live shrimp. Anglers specificafIy targeting flounder also use
bottom rigs consisting of a small egg sinker, swivel, 18 to 24 inch leader, and a 310 Kahle hook baited with active live
shrimp, mud minnows, or finger-size mullet.

GEORGIA ANGLER'S GUIDE produced by

Department of Natural Resources
Coastal Resources Division
1 Conservation Way, Suite 300 Brunswick, GA 31520-8687 Tel: (912) 264-7218
Web site: www.ctnr.state.ga.usldnr/coastal
Published September 2000
Mapping/Design Assistance from the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council Fish Illustrations by Duane Raver

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

U. S. Coast Guard/Coastal Georgia -

North Savannah Office

(912) 652-4353

U.S. Coast Guard/Coastal Georgia -

So. Brunswick Office

(912) 267-7999

Emergencies, Illegal Activity, Poachers

and Polluters

1-800-241-4113

Police or Fire Department

911

About The Guide
T his map is intended to provide locations and general information on public fishing access sites along the Georgia coast. For more
specific information on a site, please contact
the locations with the phone numbers listed in the Index sections.
Georgia's coast stretches for approximately 100 miles from the Savannah River in the north to the St. Marys River in the south.
Separating the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean are a series of barrier islands. These islands are several miles offshore and connected to the mainland through a vast series of marshlands, tidal creeks, streams, and sounds. Thriving in the nutrienHich waters of the estuaries between the mainland and the barrier islands, these marshlands have been identified as one of the most extensive and productive marshland systems in the United States.


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Ossabaw Estuary

MANATEES may be found throughout coastal Georgia from March to November. To avoid colliding with manatees. wear polarized sunglasses
and watch for surface disturbances that sU9ge~

manalees may be prese t Use marked channels when
travehng at high rates of speed. For more information
on manatees. contact the Georgia DNR/NonGameEndangered Wildlife Program
al 912 264-7218.

Important Boating Tips
Georgia's coastal creeks and rivers consist primarily of mud and sand bottoms. With the current velocities produced by daily tides ranging from 6 to 8 feet, this type of substrate often gives way to erosion problems that may create a steep drop-off at the foot of many boat ramps. Because many boaters use their boat motors to drive the boats up onto trailers, the force of the propeller wash accelerates erosion at the foot of the boat ramps. Therefore, boaters should lake caution when launching boats during low tide periods to insure that adequate ramp surface extends out far enough to safely back trailers when launching boats.

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Public Fishing Piers and Docks

PUBLIC FISHING PIE.RS AND DOCKS INDE.X
(Northern Coast)
A Tybee Island Ocean Pier B Back River Fishing Pier C Lazaretto Creek Fishing Dock
0 F. W. Spencer Community Park
E Thunderbolt Fishing Dock F Downing Fishing Piers G Salt Creek Community Park H Kings Ferry Community Park
Fort McAllister Fishing Pier
J Red Bird Creek Fishing Dock
K Tivoli River Fishing Dock
L Sunbury Fishing Dock M Riceboro Creek Fishing Docks N Harris Neck Fishing Dock 0 Shellman Bluff Fishing Dock (912) 832-5426
P White Chimney Creek Fishing Dock

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1 Houlihan Boat Ramp Park 2 Marlin Marina (912) 786-7508 3 Chimney Creek Fish Camp (912) 786-9857 4 Lazaretto Creek Boat Ramp 5 Turners Creek Boat Ramp 6 Hogan's Marina (912) 8973474 7 Young's Marina (912) 897-2608 8 F.W. Spencer Community Park (Ramp) 9 Thunderbolt Boat Ramp 10 Savannah Bend Marina (912) 897-3625 11 Fountain Marina (912) 354-2283 12 Palmer-Johnson Marina (912) 352-4956 13 Bona Bella Marina (912) 355-9601 14 Tuten's Fish Camp (912) 355-8747 15 Isle of Hope Marina (912) 354-8187 16 Skidaway Narrows Community Park (Ramp) 17 Coffee Bluff Fish Camp (912) 925-9030 18 Bell's Landing Boat Ramp 19 Salt Creek Community Park (Ramp)
20 Kings Ferry Community Park (Ramp)
21 Fort McAllister Marina (912) 727-2632
22 Fort McAllister Ogeechee Aver Boat Ramp
23 Fort McAllister Campground (800) 864-7275
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25 Liberty County Regionai Park (Ramp) 26 Sunbury Boat Ramp 27 Demeries Creek Boat Ramp 28 Kilkenny Fish Camp (912) 7272215 29 Yellow Bluff Fish Camp (912) 884-5448 30 Ha" Moon Marina (912) 884-5819 31 Harris Neck Creek Boat Ramp, USFW 32 Barbour Island River Landing, USFW











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33 South Newport River Boat Ramp 34 Dallas Bluff Marina (912) 8325116 35 Shellman Fish Camp (912) 832-4331 38 Fisherman's Lodge (912) 832-5162 37 White Chimney Creek Boat Ramp 38 Belle Bluff Marina (912) 832-5323 39 Pine Harbor Marina (912) 832-5999 40 BeIMlle Boat Ramp












VISITOR INFORMATION
F or visitor information including restaurants, lodging, historical sites, museums, recreational opportunities, and other areas of interest, call:

Chatham Bryan Liberty

(912) 644-6400 (912) 756-2676 (912) 368-4445

Mcintosh Glynn Camden

(912) 437-6684 (912) 265-0620 (912) 729-5840

FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION
R esident and nonresident anglers (age 16 and older) who fish in fresh or saltwaters of Georgia must possess a Georgi~ fishing license. This license is required for hook & line fishing, castnetting, seining, crabbing, gigging, sportbait trawling, and harvesting of shellfish. You may Obtain a fishing license three ways:
1,350 license dealers statewide including Wildlils! Resources Division offices, major retailers, sporting goods, bail & tackle, marinas, and hardware stores
Telephone 1-8887486887 Internet: www.permit.com
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MANATEES may e found throughout coasta Georg , Ir011 March to N ffi:>er Tr av d "Idlng with n Ie, we r POl3f1,lQd SU If
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1t (912' 2647218.

Important Boating Tips
Georgia's coastal creeks and rivers consist primarily of mud and sand botto"'!s. With the current velocities produced by daily tides ranging from 6 to 8 feel, this type of substrate often gives way to erosion problems that may create a steep drop-off at the foot of many boat ramps. Because many boaters use their boat motors to drive the boats up onto trailers, the force of the propeller wash accelerates Frosion at the loot of the boat ramps. Therefore, boaters ShO~'d take caution when launching boats during low tide periods 10 i~sure that adequate ramp suriace extends out far enough to safely back trailers when launching boats.

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PUBLIC FISHING PIERS AND DOCKS INDEX
(Southern Coast)
A Blue-N-Hall Fishing Dock B Darien Weterfront Park C Old Butler River Fishing Bridge D Champney River Bridge Catwalk E Gould's Inlet Fishing Dock F Mackay River Fishing Piers G Little River Bridge Catwalk H Back River Fishing Piers
51. Simons Island Pier
J Blythe Island Regional Park
K Jekyll Island Pier L Clam Creek Foot Bridge M Jekyll Creek Fishing Piers N Jekyll Salt Pond Fishing lb:k
0 White Oak Creek Fishing Trestle
P Woodbine Fishing Trestle
a Satilla River Waterfront Park
R 51. Marys Riverfront Park

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MARINAS AND PUBLIC BOAT RAMPS INDEX
T (Southern Coast)
1 Blue-N-Hall Boat Ramp
2 Mcintosh Rod and Gun CkJb (912) 437-46n
3 Darien City Boat Ramp 4 Champney River Boat Ramp 5 Two-Way Fish Camp (912) 265-0410 6 Hampton River Club Marina (912) 638-1210 7 Taylor's Fish Camp (912) 638-7690 8 Village Creek (Harrington) Boat Ramp 9 SI. Simons Marina (912) 638-9146 10 Golden Isles Marina (912) 634-1128 11 MacKay River Boat Ramp 12 Troupe Creek Marina (912) 264-3862 13 Brunswick Marina (912) 265-2290 14 Turtle River Boat Ramp (GA HWY 303) 15 Blythe Island Beach Drive Park Boat Ramp 16 Blythe Island Regional Park Boat Ramp 17 Blythe Island Regional Park (912) 261-3805 18 South Brunswick River Boat Ramp 19 Credle's Fish Camp (912) 261-1935 20 Hickory Bluff Marina (912) 262-<l453 21 Ocean Breeze Marina (912) 265-8280
Ulfle Salilla _~ I n-&>at Ramp
23 Jekyll Harbor Marina (912) 635-3137 24 Jekyll Creek Boat Ramp 25 White Oak Creek Boat Ramp 26 Satilla River Waterlront Park (Woodbine) 27 Harrietts Bluff Boat Ramp 28 Crooked River State Park (800) 8647275 29 City of SI. Marys Riverlront Park 30 SI. Marys River Boat Ramp (U.S. 17)

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Blue/ish

Gafflopsail Catfish

Sea Catfish Black Drum

Atlantic Croaker
Red Drum (Channel Bass)

Southern Flounder

Summer Flounder

Southern King/ish (Whiting)

King Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel

Silver-Perch (Yellowtail)

Pin/ish Red Snapper

Black Sea Bass Spot

Spotted Seatrout

Sheepshead

Tarpon

Weakfish (Summer Trout)