Recreational finfish season, limits, and sizes

A valid Georgia fishing license and free Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit are required for fishing in Georgia's saltwaters.

A SIP permit is valid for 365 days from the date it was obtained, even if you purchase a lifetime or multi-year fishing license.

SIP permits must be renewed annually.

Amberjack*

Season: All year
Limit: 1
Minimum size: 28" FL

Federal regulations (3-200 nautical miles out): https://safmc.net/species/amberjack-greater/

American Eel

Season: All year
Limit: 25
Minimum size: 9" TL

Atlantic Croaker

Season: All year
Limit: 25
Minimum size: None

Atlantic Sturgeon

No harvest

Billfish (Blue marlin, White marlin, Sailfish)

See federal guidelines here.

Black Drum

Season: All year
Limit: 15
Minimum size: 14" TL

Black Sea Bass*

Season: All year
Limit: 15
Minimum size: 12" TL

Federal regulations (3-200 nautical miles out): https://safmc.net/species/sea-bass-black/

Bluefish

Season: May 1 - Feb. 28 annually
Limit: 15
Minimum size: 12" FL

Cobia

Season: March 1 - Oct. 31
Limit: 1 per angler, maximum 6 per boat
Minimum size: 36" FL

Dolphin / Mahi Mahi

Season: All year
Limit: 10 (not to exceed 54 per boat, except headboats, which are allowed 10 per paying customer
Minimum size: 20" FL

Federal regulations (3-200 nautical miles out): https://safmc.net/species/dolphin/

Flounder

Season: All year
Limit: 15
Minimum size: 12" TL

Gag Grouper*

Season: All year
Limit: 2
Minimum size: 25" TL

*Federal regulations (3-200 nautical miles out): https://safmc.net/species/grouper-gag/

Mackerel, King*

Season: All year
Limit: 3
Minimum size: 24" FL

*Federal regulations (3-200 nautical miles out): https://safmc.net/species/mackerel-king/

Mackerel, Spanish*

Season: All year
Limit: 15
Minimum size: 12" FL

*Federal regulations (3-200 nautical miles out): https://safmc.net/species/mackerel-spanish/

Red Drum

Season: All year
Limit: 5
Minimum size: 14" TL (Maximum 23" TL)

Red Drum are a gamefish in Georgia [O.C.G.A. 27-1-2 (36)(I)]. As gamefish, Red Drum may only be fished for with pole and line (rod/reel) [O.C.G.A. 27-4-5].

Red Porgy

Season: All year
Limit: 3
Minimum size: 14" TL

Red Snapper*

Season: All year
Limit: 3
Minimum size: 20" TL

*Federal regulations (3-200 nautical miles out): https://safmc.net/species/snapper-red/

Sharks^ (other than hammerheads, small shark composite, and prohibited sharks)

Season: All year
Limit: 1 per angler or boat, whichever is fewer
Minimum size: 54" FL (83" FL for Shortfin Makos)

These species are also federally managed. Go to https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-minimum-sizes-and-bag-limits for federal regulations.

Small Shark Composite (Atlantic Sharpnose, Bonnethead, Spiny Dogfish)

Season: All year
Limit: 1 per angler
Minimum size: 30" FL

Prohibited Sharks

Sand tiger, Sandbar, Silky, Bigeye sand tiger, Whale, Basking, White, Dusky, Bignose, Galapagos, Night, Reef, Narrowtooth, Caribbean sharpnose, Smalltail, Atlantic angel, Longfin mako, Bigeye thresher, Sharpnose sevengill, Bluntnose sixgill, Oceanic Whitetip, and Bigeye sixgill

Sheepshead