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307 Hickory Bluff Drive, Waverly GA, 31565

Tarpon Fishing in Georgia

Fishing the Georgia Coast for Tarpon

St. Simons Island Fishing Charters

Tarpon rule the summer season in coastal Georgia

During our summer season fishing charters from St. Simons and Jekyll Island, The local Georgia coast waters begins to turn into a battle ground as baitfish, locally known as “pogies”, menhaden, start to flourish by the thousands and Tarpon start their annual migration season off the coast of Jekyll Island and St. St. Simons Island. Adrenaline starts to course through your body as the sight of Tarpon busting through schools of bait and the feeding frenzy is in full swing!

Tarpon is the most sought after sport fish in Coastal Georgia for visiting anglers and fishing charters looking to do battle with these giant silver kings, they are well known for their amazing acrobatics and extreme fight on rod and reel.  Sheer weight and power is on the side of the tarpon as they shake violently when hooked in an attempt to free themselves from the clutches of the anglers hook. There is no mistaking a tarpon on the line as they vault through the air immediately and put on a show for all to see. These fish will make your fishing trip to coastal Georgia worth every mile!

Fishing for Tarpon – A day in the life

Each morning, our fishing charters are started out in search of live bait as this is what hungry tarpon will be feeding on and is the best way to gain a shot at hooking one of these prized fish. After the bait is located, the guide will strategically maneuver the boat into position and throw a cast net onto them to put in the live-well and also into a cooler, specifically prepared to preserve the freshness of the bait for later use. After a quick wash down of the boat, it’s time for the ever challenging task of deciding where to fish for tarpon, as their movements can change daily. As full-time guides, we stay on top of the tarpons movements the best we can to ensure a quality day on the water for our anglers.

Our style of tarpon fishing is executed by anchoring in high fish traffic areas and bringing the fish to our boat, then into our strategically placed bait spread. A serious tarpon fishing guide will deploy as many rods and baits as possible on any tarpon fishing charter, given the conditions to increase the odds of getting a tarpon on the line. This can turn into organized chaos as a tarpon takes the bait and the guide hurries to retrieve the remaining lines and clear the field of obstructions for the tarpon to use as way to free itself. Once hooked, the tarpon will start the show by leaping through the air and run rapidly to deep water if possible. If needed, the guide will free the boat of its anchor and chase the fish to increase chances of landing this trophy. The battle between angler and fish will last until one of them gives up. To ensure that the winning side is the angler, we coach them through the fight and explain how the rod and reel will do most of the work to lessen angler fatigue.

Fishing for Tarpon in Coastal Georgia
A 60 Pound Georgia Tarpon catches some air! Tarpon put on a great acrobatic show often taking to the air numerous time before tiring

Once the tarpon has given all the fight it can, it will surface and the fishing guide is able to get a hand on the fish and remove the hook. Photos are normally taken by our charter groups and customers to capture the moment you won the battle with the most prized sportfish in the Coastal Georgia area from Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island. Great measures are taken to ensure a healthy release of the defeated gladiator. The guide will then place the boat in gear and as the boat slowly moves forward, he will hold the tarpons mouth open to allow water to move through its gills and re-oxygenate the fish. This allows the fish to regain its energy and ensure proper release of the fish. Once the tarpon is released, congratulations and celebrations can start and high fives can be thrown!

Winding down after battling with a Silver King

After the excitement calms slightly, the guide will position the boat back onto the anchor and start the process of fishing again until another fish is hooked which is likely, or until the trip is completed.

On the ride back in, the fresh memories will have you talking about the time you battled and won a fight against a Georgia Tarpon during your fishing charter with Georgia Sport Fishing Charters! Pictures will be shared on social media to showcase your prized catch and to allow your friends and family to share the moment with you. Once back at the dock, handshakes will be given and congratulations will be given again as you part ways and continue your day and share your memories with loved ones.. Bottom line is there’s truly nothing like booking a Tarpon fishing charter in the Jekyll  Island Georgia and St. Simons Island Georgia area in general.

Contact us anytime using the quick contact form here, or click tap to call the following phone number @ (912) 275-5577 to ask questions, get rates or shoot the breeze about Tarpon fishing! Let’s go fishing!