The Golden Isles Flounder Tournament runs each September in St. Simons Island

The Golden Isles Flounder Tournament is an annual September event held in St. Simons Island, Georgia, where anglers fish the coastal waters around the Golden Isles for flounder. The tournament draws both local and visiting fishermen who compete for prizes by weighing their catch at the end of each day. It is a saltwater tournament focused on flounder, the flat fish that live on the bottom of Georgia's sounds and tidal creeks.

The event typically runs for a set number of days in September — the exact dates shift year to year, so checking the current year's schedule before you plan your trip matters. Registration usually happens on the first day, and fishing takes place over the following days. Weigh-ins happen at a central location, usually at a marina or boat ramp in St. Simons.

Key Takeaways

  • The Golden Isles Flounder Tournament takes place each September in St. Simons Island with daily weigh-ins and prize categories for different boat types and angler groups.
  • You can fish from your own boat, hire a charter, or join a group — the tournament structure accommodates different ways people fish.
  • Flounder are caught on the bottom in sounds and creeks using live bait, cut bait, or jigs, and the best fishing happens around structure like oyster bars and channel edges.
  • Entry fees and prize payouts vary by year and boat category, so confirming the current tournament details before registering is necessary.
  • St. Simons Island has boat ramps, charter services, and tackle shops that support tournament fishing, making it accessible whether you own a boat or not.

Where flounder live in the Golden Isles

Flounder in Georgia's coastal waters are bottom feeders that hold in specific places: the edges of deep channels, oyster bars, grass flats, and the mouths of tidal creeks. They bury themselves in sand or mud and wait for bait to pass overhead. In the Golden Isles, the best flounder grounds are in the sounds between St. Simons Island and the mainland, in the creeks that drain into those sounds, and along the deeper channels that connect to the open water.

The tide matters enormously. Flounder feed most actively during moving water — the first two hours of incoming tide and the last two hours of outgoing tide are prime. During slack water, when the tide has stopped but not yet reversed, flounder often stop feeding. Tournament fishing usually means starting early to catch the morning tide and fishing through the midday slack if the bite is good.

Structure is where flounder congregate. Oyster bars create edges where deep water meets shallow; flounder hold on the deep side. Channel markers and pilings create current breaks. Grass beds provide cover and attract baitfish. Learning to read a GPS chart and spotting these features on the water is what separates consistent catches from random luck.

How to catch flounder: bait, tackle, and technique

Live bait is the most reliable flounder method. Mullet, menhaden, and pinfish are the standard baits in Georgia waters. A live mullet fished on a simple two-hook rig — one hook through the nose, one through the back — works well. Cast it near structure, keep the line relatively tight so you feel the bite, and set the hook hard when a flounder takes it. Flounder often grab bait and run sideways rather than down, so a solid hookset prevents them from spitting the bait.

Cut bait — chunks of mullet or mackerel — fished on the bottom with a sinker works when live bait is hard to find or when you want to cover water quickly. The scent draws flounder from a distance. Use a basic three-way rig with the sinker on a dropper and the hook on the main line, or a simple sliding sinker rig. Check your bait every few minutes; flounder will take it and move, and you need to feel that movement.

Jigs and soft plastics — 1/4-ounce to 1/2-ounce jigs tipped with a 3- to 4-inch soft plastic shrimp or mullet imitation — work well when you are moving and searching. Cast near structure, let the jig fall to the bottom, and work it with short hops. Flounder often hit on the fall or the pause. This method covers water faster than soaking bait and works well in tournament situations where you need to find active fish.

Tackle does not need to be heavy. A 6- to 7-foot medium-action spinning rod with 15- to 20-pound braid or 20-pound monofilament is standard. Flounder do not have hard mouths, so you do not need a stiff rod; you need one sensitive enough to feel a bite and strong enough to set the hook and fight a 3- to 5-pound fish without it breaking off.

Tournament structure and entry details

The Golden Isles Flounder Tournament typically divides competitors into categories: boats with a captain and paying anglers, boats with owner-operators, and sometimes a separate category for non-boaters who fish from a charter or as a guest. Each category has its own prize pool. Entry fees cover the cost of running the tournament — weigh-in facilities, staff, prizes — and vary depending on the boat category and whether you are fishing as an individual or as part of a team.

Most flounder tournaments use a simple format: each angler or boat fishes each day, and the heaviest flounder caught each day wins that day's prize. Some tournaments also award prizes for the largest single fish of the tournament or the heaviest total weight across all days. Weigh-ins are usually held in the late afternoon at a central marina, and results are posted the same evening or the next morning.

Registration typically opens a few weeks before the tournament and closes a few days before it starts. You will need to provide boat information if you are bringing your own boat, or the name of the charter if you are fishing from one. Some tournaments require a captain's license or proof of insurance; check the current rules before registering.

Getting to St. Simons Island and finding a place to fish

St. Simons Island is on Georgia's coast near Brunswick, about 90 minutes south of Savannah. If you own a boat, the island has several public boat ramps: the St. Simons Public Boat Ramp on Demere Road, the Massengale Park Ramp, and others. Arrive early on tournament days — parking fills quickly, and you want time to fuel up and rig before the tournament start.

If you do not own a boat, charter captains in St. Simons regularly fish the flounder tournament. A half-day charter typically costs between $400 and $600 for two anglers, and a full day runs higher. Charter captains know the water, have the right tackle, and can put you on fish. Some tournaments have a non-boater category that pairs you with a boat; check whether that option exists in the current year.

Tackle shops in St. Simons — including local shops near the marina — stock live bait, jigs, and rigs. If you are traveling from out of state, you can buy everything you need when you arrive rather than packing it. Bait shops also have current information about where fish are holding and what is working.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring sunscreen, a hat, polarized sunglasses, and water. Flounder fishing means standing in a boat for hours in the sun, often in wind. Wear layers — mornings are cool, afternoons warm. Bring a cooler with ice for your catch and drinks for yourself.

If you are bringing your own boat, check the fuel level, make sure your GPS is charged and has current charts, and test your radio. Bring a first aid kit, a flashlight, and a knife for cleaning fish. If you are fishing from a charter, the captain provides tackle and knows what to bring; ask what you should bring when you book.

Study a chart of the area before you fish. Understand where the channels are, where the oyster bars sit, and what the tide schedule looks like for the days you are fishing. Flounder fishing is not complicated, but knowing the water before you get there saves time and puts more fish in the boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly does the Golden Isles Flounder Tournament happen?

The tournament runs in September each year, but the specific dates change. Check the current year's schedule through the St. Simons Island visitor center, local marinas, or tackle shops before you plan your trip. Registration dates and fishing dates are usually posted two to three months in advance.

Do I need my own boat to fish the tournament?

No. You can fish from a charter boat, hire a captain for the days of the tournament, or join a non-boater division if one exists that year. Charter captains in St. Simons regularly fish the tournament and know the water well.

What size flounder do I need to catch to place?

Tournament flounder are weighed as-is, and the heaviest fish win. A 3- to 4-pound flounder is a solid catch; 5-pounders are excellent. The winning fish each day are usually in the 4- to 6-pound range, but smaller fish still count and can win if the bite is slow.

Can I keep the fish I catch in the tournament?

Yes. After weigh-in, the fish are yours to keep and take home or have cleaned and packaged. Many anglers eat their catch — flounder is excellent eating, and a tournament is a good reason to stock your freezer.

What if I have never fished for flounder before?

A charter captain is your best option. They will teach you how to fish, where to cast, and how to set the hook. Flounder fishing is straightforward — cast near the bottom, feel for a bite, and set hard. A day on the water with an experienced captain teaches you more than reading about it.