Georgia Redfish

I urgently request the Georgia legislature designate the Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) as a gamefish per the definition in the Official Code of Georgia, Annotated.

From Texas to South Carolina, only Georgia and Mississippi have failed to grant gamefish status to red drum in State waters.

Texas (1981)

Louisiana (1991)

Alabama (1984)

Florida (1988)

South Carolina (1986)

Georgia’s small coastline is arguably home to some of the best red drum fishing in the Southeast; whether it’s big bulls in the surf, tailing fish in the spartina grass, or juvenile schools found along the many miles of creeks.

Anglers all across Georgia and neighboring States are becoming more and more aware of the thrilling angling experience Georgia’s red drum fishery provides.

I believe this measure is necessary for a number of reasons, but most importantly to:

• prevent the commercial sale of recreational caught native red drum.
• allow harvesting of red drum by hook and line only.
• boost public confidence in the management of Georgia's state saltwater fish.

I urgently request that the Georgia legislature take action to ensure the long term health of the recreational red drum fishery in Georgia.