Species guide · Georgia

Gag grouper fishing in Georgia

Mycteroperca microlepis, an offshore species also called gag and gray grouper. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 nm, including Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary at 53, one of 2 Georgia bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All Georgia waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

South Atlantic

Shoulder season, about 6 more weeks

Jan: Shoulder season
Feb: Shoulder season
Mar: Shoulder season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Shoulder season
Jun: Off season
Jul: Off season
Aug: Off season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Shoulder season
Nov: Peak season
Dec: Peak season

Peak: Nov to Dec. In season (shoulder or peak): Sep to May.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Ledges and live bottom off Northeast Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas in 60-200 ft. Regulatory: shallow-water grouper close Jan 1-Apr 30 for spawning; NOAA sets the gag season length each year from May 1.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 2

Georgia bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's gag grouper score this hour.

53Good

Coastal waters from Savannah GA to Altamaha Sound GA out 20 nm, including Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary

Best window today 5-9 PM (59) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 8 AM (60) · 26 named spots

50Good

Coastal waters from Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out 20 NM

Best window today 6-9 PM (61) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (62) · 44 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 56°F to 84°F, best between 62°F and 76°F.
Water depth: 10 to 250 ft of water.
Structure: Ledge, reef, wreck, bank and pinnacle, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers moving water, with light current.No published tide effect. Light current makes it easier to hold a live bait or trolled plug tight to the rocks; tide stage matters less than finding the right rock pile.
Light: Some lift around dawn and dusk.
Pressure: Little response to pressure changes.
Wind and sea limits: 20 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Gag hold on ledges, rock piles and wrecks, from 15 to 40 feet in the fall on Florida's Gulf coast out to 250 feet the rest of the year. Troll deep-diving plugs to find productive rocks, then anchor and drop or freeline live pinfish or pigfish on a strong circle hook. Keep the drag tight and turn the fish in the first few seconds or it will reach the rocks.

Methods: bottom fishing, trolling deep-diving plugs, freelining live bait, vertical jigging
Lures: deep-diving trolling plugs (30-ft class), bucktail jigs, heavy jigs tipped with squid
Bait: live pinfish, pigfish, grunts, cigar minnows, squid, octopus

Regulations

GADNR CRD saltwater regulations Buy a Georgia fishing license License types

Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division. Synced with GADNR CRD Sep 19, 2026.

No reviewed gag grouper rule for Georgia is on file yet. Check with GADNR CRD before you keep one.