Offshore
Gray's Reef Fishable Waters
Offshore · Georgia · Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary fishable waters
Location Snapshot
Gray's Reef Fishable Waters represents the fishable portion of Georgia’s offshore sanctuary, where live-bottom habitat creates a distinct reef fishery outside the protected research area. Gag grouper, black sea bass, and vermilion snapper are principal supported targets, with red snapper and greater amberjack adding further bottom-fishing variety.
Information Only
StrikeTracks does not currently provide an Offshore fishing-condition rating. Marine Conditions are observations and forecasts for trip planning. They are not an Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor fishing score.
Marine Conditions
Planning context — not a fishing rating.
Regional Marine Forecast
Today
N winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NE 5 ft at 13 seconds.
Wave Height
5.2 ft
At this destination
Grays Reef, GA (41008) · NDBC 41008
Wave Direction
ESE
At this destination
Grays Reef, GA (41008) · NDBC 41008
Marine Alerts
- Small Craft Advisory · Minor — Small Craft Advisory issued October 20 at 2:22AM EDT until October 21 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Nearby fishing destinations
Georgia · Southeast Atlantic / Georgia / Golden Isles · Sound
Approximately 36.3 miles away
Georgia · Southeast Atlantic / Georgia / Golden Isles · Sound
Approximately 40.3 miles away
Georgia · Southeast Atlantic / Georgia / Tybee Island · Shore
Approximately 40.9 miles away
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Gray's Reef Fishable Waters offshore fishery
Gray's Reef Fishable Waters is the northern, fishable part of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, for gag grouper, black sea bass, and vermilion snapper. It is not the southern Research Area, where fishing, diving, and stopping are prohibited, and it is not the Tybee, St. Simons, or Jekyll pier fisheries. On the fishable northern waters, anchoring and spearfishing are prohibited and only rod-and-reel or handline is allowed. Those northern waters are not a no-take zone.
- Habitat and structure
- Live-bottom sanctuary · Fishable northern waters
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Gag, black sea bass, and vermilion follow a typical season. Red snapper and amberjack follow the current annual rules.
This reflects typical biological/fishery timing, not a legal open season. Check current regulations before fishing.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Gag grouper
PrimaryRegulations vary annuallyMycteroperca microlepis
Also called Gag
Typical seasonal opportunity: WINTER — SPRING
Black sea bass
PrimaryRegulations vary annuallyCentropristis striata
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Rhomboplites aurorubens
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Red snapper
SecondaryRegulations vary annuallyLutjanus campechanus
Typical seasonal opportunity: SUMMER
Greater amberjack
SecondarySeriola dumerili
No seasonal pulse known
Typical Seasonal Targets
- Gag grouper — WINTER — SPRING
- Black sea bass — SUMMER
- Vermilion snapper — SUMMER
- Red snapper — SUMMER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Access, Safety and Regulations
Access
Offshore boat from Georgia ports.
Primary hazards
Sanctuary rules, no-anchor, and Research Area exclusion are safety and legal limits.
Fishery considerations
- Harbor tide predictions describe the harbor.
Regulations
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
Fishery Sources
Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.
Location and Access
This marker is the mapped fishing area. It is not a boat ramp, a parking area, or a place to drive to.
