Species guide · Georgia

Spotted seatrout fishing in Georgia

Cynoscion nebulosus, an inshore species also called speckled trout, specks and specs. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Peak season, about 10 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 67, one of 2 Georgia bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Peak 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

Peak season, about 10 more weeks

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

Peak: Sep to Nov. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Georgia DNR names September through November as the best months, when post-spawn fish move into estuaries and rivers to feed. Spawning runs mid-April through September along beaches and sounds. North Carolina fall fishing extends into December before fish go to deep creeks.

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 spotted seatrout score this hour.

67Great

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

Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (69) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (75) · 26 named spots

66Great

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

Best window today 10 PM-12 AM (71) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 PM (79) · 44 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 50°F to 86°F, best between 62°F and 78°F.
Water depth: 1 to 20 ft of water.
Structure: Grass, flat, channel, oyster, marsh, jetty and pier, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers incoming tide and outgoing tide, with moderate current.Georgia DNR biologists find trout along the grass line over oyster beds on higher tides and waiting at creek runoffs on the falling tide. Virginia fishermen report the best fishing at dusk drifting grass beds on a flood tide. Slack water is usually slow.
Light: Bites best around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
Pressure: Tends to feed as pressure falls ahead of weather.
Wind and sea limits: 18 kt of wind and 2 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Trout hold over grass beds and sandy potholes in 2 to 8 feet of water most of the year and slide into channels, deep creek bends and canals during cold snaps. A live shrimp under a slip or popping cork, a paddle tail on a light jighead, or a topwater walked at first light covers most situations. Keep the drag light because their mouths tear easily.

Methods: popping cork, drifting, wade fishing, topwater, jigging, fly fishing
Lures: soft plastic paddle tail, soft plastic shrimp, curly tail grub on jighead, walk-the-dog topwater, suspending twitchbait, spoon, baitfish fly
Bait: live shrimp, mud minnow, finger mullet, pinfish, pigfish, croaker

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 18, 2026.

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