Each May, as water temperatures rise and the cold-weather systems stabilize, several species of fish converge on the coastal waters of Georgia. This mass migration of fish sets off a migration of its own: local anglers heading to their favorite fishing drops. Don't miss out on the action!

SPECKLED SEATROUT ON THE BEACH
Seatrout rank among the most-sought-after species along the Georgia Coast, where you are likely to hear them called "speckled trout". Their deserved reputation as delicate table fare and their large numbers make them highly desirable.

Specks move up rivers and creeks as cold weather arrives in December and January and settle themselves into the deeper holes, where the water temperatures are a little warmer and the baitfish more abundant. As water temperature rises in the spring, trout begin to move toward beaches and sounds in preparation for the annual spawn.

The spawn begins in May; a protracted affair, it runs into September. The annual spawning migration begins when water temperature reaches 68 to 70 degrees. Once the eggs are fertilized, they drift with the current inland, where they settle in sandy-bottomed areas to hatch into fry several weeks later.

Spawning trout are attracted to beach areas on sounds and creeks. The waters and sandbars associated with Christmas Creek on Cumberland Island are famous for spawning trout.

The best time to fish comes on a low tide during the early morning. Anglers should cruise the beach until they find a run-off, which is nothing more than a cut in the beach down which water runs from the beach into the ocean. Most run-offs are only 2 or 3 feet wide, but a few are 8 to 10 feet; the larger the better.

Live shrimp, mud minnows and 3- to 4-inch river menhaden are preferred baits. These can be fished under a float or on a fishfinder rig. Because most fishing is done in the rollers, a long 10-inch cork works best. This style of cork stands up high in the water and can be easily seen as waves roll on it. Smaller corks will be hidden behind the waves and are so of little use.

Artificial jigs are also effective on the beach. Three- and 4-inch plastic tails in green, opening night, chartreuse, white or smoke work well; a 1/4- or 3/8-ounce jighead works best. Simply toss the jig toward the beach and retrieve. There'll be a lot of tugging on the lure because of the rolling waves, but you'll soon learn to recognize a bite.

Baitcasting rigs with limber 7 1/2- to 9-foot rods work best for cork-fishing. I like the Pflueger President low-profile baitcasting reel mated to Fenwick's HMX 8-foot, 9-inch medium-action Salmon/Steelhead casting rod. Spinning tackle works best when throwing jigs. Try the 7-foot HMG spinning rod from Fenwick and the Triton spinning reels from Pflueger.