Top 10 Saltwater Fish to Catch in Georgia
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Redfish
Verified
World Record
94 lb 2 oz
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina
Signature Fact
Males literally drum-low booms you can feel through the hull on calm spawning nights.
2
Speckled Trout
Verified
World Record
17 lb 7 oz
Floyd B. Smith / 1995
Florida, USA
Floyd B. Smith / 1995
Florida, USA
Signature Fact
Males crank ultrafast sonic muscles to drum in booming dusk choruses you can pinpoint with a $30 hydrophone.
3
Southern Flounder
Verified
World Record
20 lb 9 oz
David H. Self / 1983
North Carolina, USA
David H. Self / 1983
North Carolina, USA
Signature Fact
Warm nursery water flips their sex switch-hot summers churn out mostly males, gutting future trophy female numbers.
4
Black Drum
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
113 lb 1 oz
John W. Stewart / 1975
Delaware Bay, USA
John W. Stewart / 1975
Delaware Bay, USA
Signature Fact
Massive schools beat their swim bladders so hard during spawning that boat hulls vibrate like subwoofers.
5
Sheepshead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
21 lb 4 oz
Fred J. Jenson / 1982
St. Augustine, Florida
Fred J. Jenson / 1982
St. Augustine, Florida
Signature Fact
They grow a full set of human-looking incisors backed by three upper and two lower molar rows-nature's oyster-cracker.
6
Bluefish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
31 lb 12 oz
James Hussey / 1972
Hatteras, North Carolina
James Hussey / 1972
Hatteras, North Carolina
Signature Fact
They practice brutal "surplus killing": slashing dozens of baitfish even with bellies bulging to the gills.
7
Tarpon
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
286 lb 9 oz
Max Domecq / 2003
Guinea-Bissau
Max Domecq / 2003
Guinea-Bissau
Signature Fact
They breathe air using a lung-like swim bladder, so those surface "rolls" are actual gulps of oxygen.
8
King Mackerel
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
93 lb 0 oz
Steve Graulau / 1976
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Steve Graulau / 1976
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Signature Fact
The first run can torch 200 yards and smoke your drag-big ones are literally called "smokers.
9
Cobia
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
135 lb 9 oz
Robert Davis / 1985
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Robert Davis / 1985
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Signature Fact
They're freeloading ambushers, tailgating rays and sharks without a sucker disk, stealing every critter the host spooks.
10
Blacktip Shark
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
270 lb 0 oz
Robert W. McCue / 1984
Bahamas
Robert W. McCue / 1984
Bahamas
Signature Fact
A captive female produced a pup without mating-documented parthenogenesis, nature's ultimate solo act.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Georgia?
You’ll find redfish, speckled trout, southern flounder, tarpon, black drum, striped bass, snook, gafftopsail cat, bluefin tuna, and goliath grouper in Georgia’s saltwater.
What is the best time of year to fish in Georgia?
Spring through fall delivers the most consistent saltwater fishing action in Georgia.
Where are the best places to fish in Georgia?
Georgia’s coastline offers strong saltwater action, with plenty of access for targeting redfish, trout, and more.
What gear do you need for fishing in Georgia?
Bring medium to heavy spinning or baitcasting gear to handle everything from flounder and trout up to tarpon or grouper.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Georgia?
Redfish, speckled trout, and southern flounder are some of the more accessible saltwater catches in Georgia.
