What the Altamaha River Catfish Tournament is and when it runs

The Altamaha River Catfish Tournament is an annual fishing event held on Georgia's Altamaha River, one of the state's most productive catfish waters. The tournament draws anglers from across the region who compete for prizes by catching channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish. The event typically takes place in late spring or early summer, though the exact dates shift year to year — you'll find the current year's schedule through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or local fishing clubs that co-host the event.

The tournament operates as a catch-and-release or catch-and-weigh format depending on the year and sponsoring organization. Most years, anglers fish during a set window — often a single day or a weekend — and the heaviest fish or the largest total weight determines the winners. Entry fees vary but typically range from $25 to $75 per angler or per boat, with proceeds often supporting river conservation or local fishing access.

Key Takeaways

  • The Altamaha River Catfish Tournament runs annually on dates that change year to year, so confirm the current schedule with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or local tournament hosts before you plan.
  • You'll need a valid Georgia fishing license and must follow all state regulations for catfish, including size and bag limits that apply even during tournament fishing.
  • Channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish are the target species, and the Altamaha River holds all three in numbers large enough to make tournament fishing worthwhile.
  • Most tournaments charge an entry fee of $25 to $75 and award prizes based on total weight or individual fish size, with money often going back into river access and habitat work.

How to register and what you need to bring

Registration for the Altamaha River Catfish Tournament usually opens four to six weeks before the event and closes one to two weeks prior. You can register through the tournament host's website, by phone, or sometimes in person at a local bait shop or tackle store in the area. Have your name, contact information, and fishing license number ready when you register — the tournament organizers will verify your license is current before confirming your spot.

On tournament day, bring your valid Georgia fishing license, your boat (if you're fishing from one), and all your own gear. The river is open to bank fishing as well, so you don't need a boat to enter. Bring a cooler with ice if you plan to keep your catch for the weigh-in, a scale or net for measuring, and your registration confirmation or receipt. Most tournaments require you to check in at a designated location before you start fishing and to bring your catch to a weigh station by a set time — usually late afternoon or early evening.

Catfish species and where to find them on the Altamaha

The Altamaha River holds three catfish species worth targeting: channel catfish, which run 2 to 8 pounds on average and are the most abundant; blue catfish, which grow larger and heavier, often 15 to 40 pounds; and flathead catfish, an aggressive predator that can exceed 50 pounds. Channel catfish and blue catfish are bottom feeders that respond to cut bait, chicken liver, and stink baits. Flatheads hunt live fish and are most active at night, so if you're targeting them, plan to fish after dark with live bluegill, shad, or herring.

On the Altamaha, catfish congregate around structure: deep holes, fallen trees, rock ledges, and the outside bends of the river where current scours deeper channels. The lower Altamaha, from the Doctortown area downstream toward the coast, tends to hold more blue catfish and larger specimens overall. The middle river, around Jesup and Baxley, is productive for channel catfish and a good starting point if you're new to the river. Fish the deeper holes during the day and move to shallower flats and current breaks at dawn and dusk when catfish feed most actively.

Tackle, bait, and technique for tournament success

For channel and blue catfish, use a medium to heavy rod — 6 to 7 feet — paired with a reel that holds at least 200 yards of 20 to 30-pound braided line. Braided line cuts through current and snags better than monofilament on a river full of wood. Tie a three-way rig or a simple slip-sinker rig: a weight on the main line, a leader 18 to 24 inches long, and a circle hook in size 2/0 to 8/0 depending on your bait size. Circle hooks set themselves when a catfish runs, which is why they're standard for tournament fishing — you don't have to be holding the rod.

Cut shad, mackerel, herring, or skipjack are the most reliable baits for channel and blue catfish. Buy them fresh from a local bait shop or catch your own shad with a cast net if you have the skill. For flatheads, use live bluegill, shad, or herring on a heavier rod and larger hook — 4/0 to 10/0 — and fish at night with minimal weight so the bait can swim naturally. Set multiple rods if tournament rules allow it — most do — and space them along a productive stretch so you cover more water and increase your chances of connecting with a large fish.

State regulations and what you must follow during the tournament

Georgia's fishing regulations apply during the tournament, not just tournament rules. You must have a valid Georgia fishing license, and you must follow the state's catfish bag and size limits. As of the most recent regulations, there is no minimum size for catfish in Georgia, but there is a daily bag limit of 50 catfish per person — a limit high enough that it rarely affects tournament fishing. Check the current Georgia Fishing Regulations guide before you fish to confirm these limits have not changed.

You must also follow the river's specific rules: no trotlines, no juglines, and no explosives or poisons — only hook-and-line fishing is permitted. If the tournament is held during a restricted season for a particular species, the tournament rules will note that and may ask you to release certain fish. Always read the tournament's specific rules when you register, because they may be more restrictive than state law. For example, some tournaments require catch-and-release for flatheads or set a minimum size for weigh-in.

Where to launch and access points on the Altamaha River

The Altamaha River has several public boat ramps and access points, though not all are equally convenient for tournament fishing. The most commonly used launch for catfish tournaments is near Doctortown, south of Jesup, which puts you in the lower river where larger catfish congregate. The Altamaha Riverkeeper Foundation maintains information about public access points, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources lists boat ramps on its website.

If you're bank fishing, look for public land along the river or ask permission from private landowners before you set up. The river runs through both developed and rural areas, so access varies. Scout your spot a day or two before the tournament if you can — you'll learn the bottom, find structure, and know where to position yourself when the tournament starts. Arrive early on tournament day to secure a good location, especially if you're fishing from the bank.

Preparing your catch for the weigh-in

Keep your catfish alive and cool from the moment you land them until the weigh-in. Use a live well in your boat or a cooler with aerated water if you're bank fishing. Do not let fish sit in a dry cooler or in the sun — they'll die and lose weight, and a dead fish may be disqualified depending on tournament rules. If you're keeping multiple fish, separate larger ones from smaller ones so they don't injure each other.

Bring your fish to the weigh station in a bucket or cooler with water, and have them ready to transfer to the tournament's scale. The official weight is what counts, so don't weigh your fish beforehand on a personal scale — the tournament scale is the only one that matters. If you're fishing catch-and-release, handle fish gently, keep them in water as much as possible, and release them quickly after they're weighed and photographed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boat to fish the Altamaha River Catfish Tournament?

No. The tournament is open to bank anglers as well as boat anglers. Bank fishing is common on the Altamaha, especially in areas with public access or permission from landowners. You'll have a different stretch of river than boat anglers, but catfish are distributed throughout, so bank fishing can be just as productive.

What's the best time of day to fish for catfish during the tournament?

Catfish feed most actively at dawn, dusk, and throughout the night. If the tournament runs a full day, fish the early morning hours first, then move to deeper holes during midday when catfish retreat to cooler water. Return to shallower areas and current breaks in the late afternoon and evening for another active feeding period.

Can I use live bait for channel and blue catfish, or do I have to use cut bait?

Live bait works for channel and blue catfish, though cut bait is more common and often more effective because it releases scent into the water. Live bluegill or shad will catch catfish, but for flatheads, live bait is the preferred method. Experiment with both during practice sessions before the tournament.

What should I do if I hook a fish right before the weigh-in deadline?

Land it as quickly as you safely can and head straight to the weigh station. Most tournaments have a grace period of a few minutes for anglers still fighting fish when the deadline approaches. Call ahead or radio the weigh master if you're close and still have a fish on the line — they'll let you know if you can still make it in.

Where can I find the exact dates for next year's tournament?

Contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or search for "Altamaha River Catfish Tournament" along with the current year. Local fishing clubs, bait shops in Jesup and surrounding towns, and the Altamaha Riverkeeper Foundation also post tournament dates and details as the event approaches.