Anglers in Georgia need to be equipped with the proper gear to handle any situation that could come their way. Having the basics is not only going to make your fishing experience more successful, but it will be more enjoyable as well. We have put together a list of the top ten essential items for Georgia anglers. Within each of these categories, there could be hundreds of products, but each one should help you better understand the choices you have on the market. Remember that being prepared for a day on the water is more than half the battle.

Top 10 Essential Fishing Gear for Georgia Anglers

Here are the top ten items that all Georgia anglers should have when heading out on the water. These are in no particular order, and you should adequately prepare if you are fishing via boat, land, freshwater, saltwater, etc.

Fishing Vest

A fishing vest will help you keep your gear organized. Let’s face it; pockets just aren’t going to cut it when you try to manage fish, water, weather, and whatever else may come your way.

The XPS Deluxe fishing life vest is one of our favorites for Georgia Anglers. Save this vest for the cooler months as it will be a little warm; however, this can help to get you out there on those fall and spring days when the lakes, rivers, and lagoons are much less crowded.

With this fishing life vest, you will not feel restricted in any way when sending out larger casts or maneuvering your way around.

Waders

If you are a Georgia angler, you know that there will be some mud or marsh muck involved in your fishing day. Having the proper waders can ensure that you are going to stay dry and comfortable. Waders come in various styles; we like the full suspender style for the fall, winter, and spring. In the summer months, boot-style waders may be your best choice.

The Frogg Toggs Rana PVC men’s waders are some of our favorites for the Georgia anglers. The reason these are set apart from the crowd is their fair pricing and quality. Frogg Toggs makes quite a few good products that will hold up to weekly fishing. When it comes to weather, look for the Frogg Toggs rain gear as well.

Fishing License

Fishing without a license is a bad idea. We have said it before, and we will likely say it again if you love fishing and want to ensure that the coastal waters are protected for years to come, the fishing license is a very important investment. The price for a Georgia fishing license is not all that high, and it saves money to purchase for the entire year or two years at a time.

Dehooker

Quite a few of the fish you catch in Georgia will not cause any damage to your hands or fingers when trying to get the hook out. The tricky part is ensuring that your hands don’t get hurt by the hook and that you can get the fish back in the water as soon as possible.

The R & R Tackle Dehooker is one of our favorite options on the market. The great thing about this dehooker is that it is the perfect size to keep in your fishing vest, and it is really fairly priced. Even for those difficult ones that are stuck way down in the fish, the R & R is a smart choice.

Rods/Reels

A rod and reel combo is obviously extremely important for Georgia anglers. There are hundreds of different options on the market, and you must choose something that works for you. Most like to have several different rod and reel combos to fish in different situations.

Live Bait

For Georgia anglers using live bait is a great way to catch more fish. There is definitely an art to using live bait, and you will have to spend some time getting used to fishing in this way. Live bait, however, can be expensive. One of the best ways to avoid the higher live bait costs is to catch your own.

The Promar Collapsible Live Bait Trap is a great option for grabbing a few baits before you head out on the water. This is also an easy trap to bring along with you if you have a long walk to your fishing site. It’s not worth bringing anything all that heavy, especially if you struggle to catch the live bait.

Sun Protection

Spending time fishing in Georgia will mean that you have quite a bit of exposure to the sun. To stay protected, you will need things like sun hats, sunscreen, even a sun hood. The most important thing about fishing sun protection is making sure that you are comfortable as well. Some sun protection seems to get in the way and even make you warmer on hot summer days.

The Red Head Two-Toned Vented Hat is a perfect hat for anglers. The way the hat breathes and allows for plenty of air will keep you comfortable and protected while fishing. Having the tie on the front is nice for when you are pulling in a big one, and a gust of wind comes up.

Net

A fishing net is such a valuable tool to have on you. Whether you are fishing saltwater or freshwater in Georgia, it is important to have net. Not only do nets make it much easier to contain a fish that you have caught, but they can almost function as an extra set of hands should something fall in the water.

Recently we went out fishing and caught a large bonnethead shark. Handling a shark-like this is dangerous, and the best way to contain this type of fish is to use a great fishing net. Make sure that the net you choose will match the type of fish you are aiming to catch.

Tackle Box

A tackle box is sometimes more important to Georgia anglers than a rod and reel combo. Fishermen and women get particular about their tackle box and the way it is organized. Many anglers will have more than one tackle box to ensure they are ready for any type of fishing trip or adventure.

The Flambeau Adventurer is a great tackle box for the Georgia angler. This is a fairly priced tackle box with good organization and a durable handle to help you carry it along with ease. The one thing that eventually may limit you with this tackle box is the size; however, other Flambeau models are slightly larger.

Fishing Line

The fishing line is another essential item for Georgia anglers. It typically takes some experimentation to find the proper fishing line for your gear. The fishing line comes in so many different colors and weights. For Georgia anglers, a few different types of lines may make sense to have. Keep some extra line in your fishing bag in case you get a big fish on and it breaks off your line. Also, if you haven’t gone fishing in quite some time, you may want to replace your line in case it starts to deteriorate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you have a better idea as to the best gear for Georgia anglers let’s take a look at some of the questions that come up about Georgia fishing.

Does Georgia have good fishing?

To find the best fishing in Georgia, you are probably going to want to look at the coastal waters. Coastal Georgia fishing is where you will find Sheepshead, Black Drum, even some Bonnethead shark fishing. There are also plenty of lakes and streams in Northern Georgia that provide for great fishing as well.

How Much Is A Non Resident Georgia Fishing License?

If you want to try out Georiga fishing for a day, it is going to cost $10. For residents who live in Georiga, buying the yearly pass will help save quite a bit of money.

What Fish Can I Catch In Georgia?

Georiga is filled with lots of different types of fish. Some of the most popular to catch are red snapper, amberjack, grouper, and even flounder. In some areas, you will find sea trout and black sea bass as well. Even though Georgia may not have as many tropical species as Florida, there is still plenty to catch in Georgia.