Whiting

Season in Georgia

Peak months: Apr, May.

Ron Brooks (Game and Fish): whiting are plentiful on Georgia beaches through summer, caught in the breakers and run-outs. GA DNR winter: whiting are caught in deeper creek holes in winter. GA DNR lists whiting among the top five targets. (Our inference)

Season by region

Where to find them

Run-outs, pools and the breakers off Jekyll Island, East Beach and the cuts near Gould's Inlet on St. Simons, and the south end of Tybee (Brooks); deeper creek holes in winter (GA DNR).

First trough, often only 20 to 40 yards out.

What to look for

A defined first trough with moving water; sandy bottom.

Bait

Fresh shrimp pieces, Bloodworms, Sand fleas, Fishbites (bloodworm or shrimp). Double-drop bottom rig, small circle hooks (#2 to 2/0), 2 to 3 oz sinker.

Leader

20 to 30 lb mono on the rig.

Common mistakes

• Casting far past the fish
• Hooks too big
• Old, washed-out bait

Landing

Simple; reel it up the beach.

Handling

No special hazards.

Keep or release

Excellent eating. Georgia rules apply; see the regulations file.

Recipes for whiting

Typical: 6 to 10 in, about 0.5 lb. Large: 14 to 16 in. SC record 2 lb 10 oz (1968).

Limits

FishOS has not checked the GA limits yet. Check the size, bag and season rules with the Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division before you keep a fish.

Sources

• Game and Fish (Ron Brooks): Georgia's beaches for summer whiting (Angler knowledge)
• Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, Coastlines Dec 2024: Ask a CRD Pro, tips for winter fishing (Official source)
• Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division: saltwater fishing methods (species, where, when, baits) (Official source)
• SCDNR species profile: southern kingfish (whiting) (Official source)

All the fish of Georgia