Species guide · Georgia

Red grouper fishing in Georgia

Epinephelus morio, an offshore species also called reds and 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 52, 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: Off season
Feb: Off season
Mar: Off season
Apr: Off season
May: Shoulder season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Shoulder season
Aug: Shoulder season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Shoulder season
Nov: Off season
Dec: Off season

No peak months. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Present on Carolina and Georgia live bottom, but catch is mostly incidental to gag and snapper trips. Regulatory: closed Jan 1-Apr 30, and federal waters off NC and SC stay closed until June 1 (SAFMC).

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 red grouper score this hour.

52Good

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

Best window today 6-9 AM (59) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 8 AM (60) · 26 named spots

51Good

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 (61) · 44 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 59°F to 86°F, best between 66°F and 77°F.
Water depth: 30 to 300 ft of water.
Structure: Reef, ledge, bank and wreck, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers moving water, with light current.No published tide effect. Light current keeps baits on the bottom over small patches of hard bottom and helps when drifting to find fish.
Light: Little tied to 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

Red grouper live on low limestone ledges and potholed live bottom across the West Florida Shelf, mostly in 60 to 250 feet. Drift to find hard bottom, then anchor and fish live pinfish, grunts or squid on the bottom with stout conventional tackle. Reel hard right after the bite, because they dive into holes, and use a descending device on fish released from deep water.

Methods: bottom fishing, drifting, anchoring over hard bottom
Lures: bucktail jigs tipped with squid
Bait: live pinfish, grunts, squid, octopus, cut bait, shrimp

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 red grouper rule for Georgia is on file yet. Check with GADNR CRD before you keep one.