Altamaha Sound Fishing
A Georgia sound off McIntosh County with 1 ramp and 0 pier or bank sites nearby.
Pick for marlinPiscifun AlinoX 400 baitcaster with bait clicker25% OFFSale $149.99 Photo of Altamaha River: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0
Meet Altamaha Sound
On the McIntosh County shore, Altamaha Sound opens toward the Atlantic between the barrier islands. The nearest Census town is Darien, roughly 7 miles away.
Nearby are 1 public ramp and 0 pier or bank sites. Run about 10 miles to reach ALT Reef, the nearest reef. The nearest passes and mouths are Altamaha River mouth, Cabretta Inlet and Goulds Inlet.
Launches and piers around Altamaha Sound
Where boats put in for Altamaha Sound
- Hampton River Club Marinahoist launch, dock, restroom, fee, 3 miles
GA DNR Coastal Resources Division Coastal Fishing Map layers and WRD Water Access Points, checked October 2026.
CRD creel limits around Altamaha Sound
Inside three nautical miles, the CRD table governs what you keep; federal waters start beyond.
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Amberjack | 1; minimum size 28" FL | All year |
| American Eel | 25; minimum size 9" TL | All year |
| Atlantic Croaker | 25; minimum size None | All year |
| Atlantic Sturgeon | No harvest | Closed (no harvest) |
| Billfish (Blue marlin, White marlin, Sailfish) | Billfish may be landed in Georgia provided the angler complies with all federal regulations (federal HMS rules) | open all year |
| Black Drum | 15; minimum size 14" TL | All year |
| Black Sea Bass | 15; minimum size 12" TL | All year |
| Bluefish | 15; minimum size 12" FL | May 1 – Feb. 28 annually |
| Cobia | 1 per angler, maximum 6 per boat; minimum size 36" FL | March 1 – Oct. 31 |
| Dolphin (mahi mahi) | 10 (not to exceed 54 per boat, except headboats, which are allowed 10 per paying customer; minimum size 20" FL | All year |
| Flounder | 15; minimum size 12" TL | All year |
| Gag Grouper | 2; minimum size 25" TL | All year |
| King mackerel | 3; minimum size 24" FL | All year |
| Spanish mackerel | 15; minimum size 12" FL | All year |
| Red Drum | 5; minimum size 14" TL (Maximum 23" TL) | All year |
| Red Porgy | 3; minimum size 14" TL | All year |
| Red Snapper | 2; minimum size 20" TL | All year |
| Sharks (other than hammerheads, small shark composite, and prohibited | 1 per angler or boat, whichever is fewer; minimum size 54" FL (83" FL for Shortfin Makos) | All year |
| Small Shark Composite (Atlantic Sharpnose, Bonnethead, Spiny Dogfish) | 1 per angler; minimum size 30" FL | All year |
| Prohibited sharks | No harvest: Sand tiger, Sandbar, Silky, Bigeye sand tiger, Whale, Basking, White, Dusky, Bignose, Galapagos, Night, Reef, Narrowtooth, Caribbean Sharpnose, Smalltail, Atlantic angel, Longfin | Closed (no harvest) |
| Sheepshead | 15; minimum size 10" FL | All year |
| Spot | 25; minimum size None | All year |
| Spotted Seatrout | 15; minimum size 14" TL | All year |
| Striped bass (Saltwater) | 2; minimum size 22" TL | All year |
| Striped bass (Savannah River) | 2; minimum size 27" TL | All year |
| Tarpon | 1; minimum size 68" FL | All year |
| Tripletail | 2; minimum size 18" TL | All year |
| Weakfish | 1; minimum size 13" TL | All year |
| Hammerhead sharks (great, scalloped, smooth) | 1 per angler or boat, whichever is less; minimum size 78 inches FL | All year |
Saltwater anglers 16 and up carry a Georgia fishing license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident for 365 days) and the free Saltwater Information Program permit.
Anglers landing reef or migratory fish need the new endorsement from January 1, 2027 ($10 resident, $20 nonresident).
GA DNR Coastal Resources Division recreational limits and the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations saltwater section, checked October 2026. CRD limits.
For the marlin herePiscifun Saltflow offshore rod25% OFFSale $299.99 Mapped reefs close to Altamaha Sound
| Reef | Distance | Type | Depth | Deployment points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALT Reef | 10 miles east | offshore | 30-40 ft | 55 |
| Jove Creek Reef | 10 miles southwest | inshore | ||
| Troupe Creek Reef | 10 miles southwest | inshore | ||
| Little River Reef | 13 miles southwest | inshore | ||
| High Point Reef | 15 miles north | inshore | ||
| Four Mile Island Reef | 15 miles north | inshore |
CRD Offshore Artificial Reef footprints and guide points.
Beside Altamaha Sound
Tackle counters serving Altamaha Sound
- Hampton River Marinamarina, St. Simons Island, 3 miles
- Blue N Hall Marinamarina, Darien, 8 miles
- Two-Way Fish Campmarina, Brunswick, 9 miles
- Darien River Waterfront Park & Docksbait and tackle shop, Darien, 9 miles
- Two Way Fish Camp & Marinamarina, Brunswick, 9 miles
- Outboard Rejuvenationsbait and tackle shop, Darien, 11 miles
Captains and guides working Altamaha Sound
- Billy Bee's Kids Charterscharter, St. Simons Island, (912) 269-9983
- Bracewell Charterscharter, Jekyll Island, (912) 996-1572
- Captain Mark Noble Charter Fishingcharter, St. Simons Island, (912) 634-1219
- Cashflow Fishing Charters Ltdcharter, Brunswick, (912) 267-0782
- Coastal Island Charter Fishingcharter, Saint Simons Island, (912) 638-0241
- Coastal River Charterscharter, Savannah, (912) 441-9930
- Creekside Charterscharter, Jekyll, Brunswick, (912) 571-6322
- Dead Bait Charterscharter, Brunswick, (912) 266-1430
Towns that make a base for Altamaha Sound
- Darien7 miles
- St. Simons11 miles
- Country Club Estates12 miles
- Crescent15 miles
More coastal water near Altamaha Sound
- Buttermilk Sound5 miles
- Doboy Sound5 miles
- St. Simons Sound15 miles
Counties around Altamaha Sound
- McIntosh Countyseat: Darien
What to pack from Piscifun for Altamaha Sound
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Scenes from the water around Altamaha Sound
Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jud McCranie, CC BY-SA 4.0
Altamaha Sound, answered before you load the boat
Which county borders Altamaha Sound?
Along McIntosh County, about 7 miles from Darien.
Does a day on Altamaha Sound call for a Georgia license?
Saltwater anglers 16 and up carry a Georgia fishing license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident for 365 days) and the free Saltwater Information Program permit.
Can I keep a big redfish from Altamaha Sound?
CRD allows five red drum between 14 and 23 inches.
Are seatrout rules strict on Altamaha Sound?
Fifteen spotted seatrout a day, 14 inches minimum, per CRD.
How do boaters reach Altamaha Sound?
Hampton River Club Marina is nearest, 3 miles.
Which public pier sits nearest Altamaha Sound?
CRD lists no pier near it.
Are there reefs near Altamaha Sound?
The closest is ALT Reef, 10 miles, 30-40 ft.
Where do I pick up bait on the road to Altamaha Sound?
Closest listing: Hampton River Marina, 3 miles.
Put Altamaha Sound on the fishing calendar
Check the tide and the CRD limits, then launch.