The island offers surf fishing, a drive-up boat launch, and two fishing piers. Key species: red drum, spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, flounder, shark, croaker, spot, yellowtail, others. Shrimp and blue crabs also are readily available on Jekyll. Visit the new Jekyll Fishing Center that offers Deep Sea Fishing, and Air Boat Rides at Clam Creek Road at the Jekyll Pier: 912-635-3556 or 912-270-7474, and also Maxwell's in the shopping center at 38 North Beachview to get bait, and tackle: 912-635-2205.
Fishing Licenses
A Georgia fishing license is required whether fishing inland on a lake or river or on the coast in the ocean or sound. Georgia residents over 65 years old can obtain a lifetime fishing license without charge. You can acquire a fishing license either through a licensed dealer (e.g. Maxwell's in the Jekyll shopping center) or on-line. A license also can be purchased directly from the state Department of Natural Resources, which has a facility just east of the Sidney Lanier Bridge on the north side of the Brunswick River.
A fishing license costs $9 for a Georgia resident or $45 for a non-resident for one year. All fishing licenses are good for one full year (12 months) from the day that they are purchased. One-day licenses can be purchased for $3.50 for both residents and non-residents.
St. Andrews beach on Jekyll Island's south end is a mecca for recreational shrimpers. On weekends, the traffic sometimes gets heavy, with several 100-foot (maximum size) nets being dragged along the bottom of the shallow water, as well as a few individuals with casting nets. Shrimping season generally runs from early June until early January. A fishing license is required.
Crabbing
Take an old fish head or chicken neck, put it on a hook in a small net and throw it into one of the creeks on Jekyll Island or off the fishing pier and wait a few minutes. Clam Creek on the north end or St. Andrews beach on the south are prime spots. Chances are good that one or more blue crabs will find the bait. After waiting a few minutes, pull the line connected to the net in and very carefully remove the crabs. Crabs need to be five-inches across. A Georgia fishing license is required. You can purchase the nets for a very modest price at Maxwell's in the Jekyll shopping district.
