Species guide · Georgia

Atlantic tarpon fishing in Georgia

Megalops atlanticus, an inshore species also called silver king, poon and sabalo. Listed for the South Atlantic region. Peak season, about 1 more week.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Altamaha Sound to Fernandina Beach FL out 20 NM at 68, 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 1 more week

Jan: Not present
Feb: Not present
Mar: Not present
Apr: Off season
May: Shoulder season
Jun: Shoulder season
Jul: Peak season
Aug: Peak season
Sep: Peak season
Oct: Shoulder season
Nov: Off season
Dec: Not present

Peak: Jul to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.

Research notes, South Atlantic region

Atlantic migrants reach Georgia, South Carolina and Pamlico Sound in summer; South Carolina peaks July through September and is catch and release. The Indian River Lagoon from Stuart to Sebastian holds juveniles year-round and big fish on the fall mullet run.

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 atlantic tarpon score this hour.

68Great

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

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (82) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (87) · 44 named spots

61Good

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

Best window today 5-8 PM (81) · Best day Sat, Sep 19 at 7 AM (86) · 26 named spots

How and where it feeds

Water temperature: Feeds from 70°F to 95°F, best between 75°F and 88°F.
Water depth: 2 to 60 ft of water.
Structure: Pass, channel, bridge, beach, inlet, mangrove and flat, in that order of preference.
Tide and current: Prefers outgoing tide and incoming tide, with moderate current.Pass and bridge fishing is best on strong outgoing tides, especially around new and full moons when crabs flush out of the bays. Beach and flats fish are sight cast on moving water with enough light to see them. Tide matters less for fish rolling along open beaches.
Light: Bites best around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
Pressure: Prefers steady pressure.
Wind and sea limits: 15 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.

Tackle and technique

Tarpon roll along beaches, in passes and channels, and under bridges from late spring through fall, and in South Florida some fish stay through winter in warm canals and backcountry rivers. Live crabs, mullet or pinfish drifted through a pass on the outgoing tide, or a fly or soft plastic cast ahead of a rolling string of fish, are the main approaches. Use a long heavy leader, bow to the jumps, and keep big fish in the water for release.

Methods: sight casting, live bait drifting, fly fishing, anchoring in passes, bridge fishing at night, trolling
Lures: soft plastic swimbait, jig, trolled spoon, suspending plug, tarpon fly (toad, streamer)
Bait: live pass crab, live mullet, pinfish, threadfin herring, pilchard, cut mullet

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 17, 2026.

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