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Georgia’s Surf Reds

Fall on the Georgia coast is the prime time for bull redfish

By Chris Woodward

Updated: September 13, 2011

The marshes of coastal Georgia create prime surf habitat for bull redfish Chris Woodward

The reds school along the shorelines in September and October Chris Woodward

Shifting sandbars create rips where baitfish travel. Chris Woodward

Reds, sharks and other fishes follow. Chris Woodward

Anglers set up to fish the rips by anchoring their boats in the swells and casting baits back to the waves. Chris Woodward

Fairly stout tackle ensures the spawning size fish are brought quickly boat-side. Capt. Spud Woodward

Pelicans feed in the whitewash where baits and redfish gather. Boaters must be careful in the surf and study how the waves break before anchoring. Capt. Spud Woodward

Georgia’s director of the Coastal Resources Division, Spud Woodward, prepares to lift a bull red into the boat to tag, photograph and release. Chris Woodward

Always support large fish horizontally to avoid damaging their internal organs. Chris Woodward

Some days, anglers boat to sandbars, and then get out and fish from the beach. Capt. Spud Woodward

Anglers of all ages love to reel in big bull reds. Chris Woodward

Live finger mullet and dead chunks of mullet make the best baits. Chris Woodward

Sand spikes hold multiple rods until a fish hits. The nearest angler picks up the rod – always terminated with a circle hook – to fight the fish. Capt. Spud Woodward

Happiness is a cold redfish? Capt. Spud Woodward

An angler approaches a hooked red to capture it for tag and release. Capt. Spud Woodward

Once played into the shallow water, the bull reds usually remain docile. Capt. Spud Woodward

The redfish’s low-slung mouth makes it easier for the species to feed from above its prey. A redfish trying to take a top-water bait can be comical. Capt. Spud Woodward

Large circle hooks even take smaller, legal-size reds. Capt. Spud Woodward

Fall’s surf reds aren’t always bulls; some measure within Georgia’s 14- to 23-inch slot. Capt. Spud Woodward

More: Inshore Fishing, photos, Redfish Fishing

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