Alamo, GA Fishing: A Tranquil Getaway

Alamo, GA is a small and tranquil inland city close to rich waterways.

Alamo, GA Fishing: A Tranquil Getaway
Alamo, GA Fishing: A Tranquil Getaway
Team Guidesly

August 18, 2022, 7 min read

Updated on August 24, 2022

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The tranquil inland city of Alamo is nestled in the center of Wheeler County, Georgia, just a stone's throw from the flowing Oconee River. Alamo, the county seat of Wheeler County, was founded on August 16, 1909, and is named after the legendary Texas Revolutionary War conflict.

It is located at the crossroads of Ga. U.S. Route 126 and Highway 126, Alamo is one of only two cities in Wheeler County, which can be found along Highway 280. The famed Little Ocmulgee State Park, the Telfair-Wheeler Airport, and the Atlantic Coast are all within a short drive of the Alamo.

Alamo is where the historic county courthouse, Wheeler County Courthouse, can be found. The courthouse was constructed in 1914, and Ed Hosford designed it as his final Georgia courthouse design. The courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1916 and rebuilt in 1917 in the Neoclassical style by Frank P. Milburn. The building was refurbished in 1961. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places almost twenty years later. The courthouse was described as "quite elaborately adorned" compared to other Georgia courthouses, with intricate pilasters and Corinthian capitals.

Alamo is a small rural town in Georgia's southeast corner that prides itself on being a family-oriented community. Alamo residents are known for being warm, pleasant, and hospitable. Their feeling of community and compassion contribute to one of the highest quality of life in the United States as they continue to uphold law enforcement and public safety. Alamo, Georgia, is a safe place to live, and anglers who visit this town will have a fantastic time.

Alamo Fishing

boat, pond

Alamo may be an inland city, but it makes up for it by being close to various rich water bodies that are easily accessible. Alamo is a good place to start that well-deserved fishing trip from the Oconee River to several state parks.

The Oconee River flows through Georgia and is 220 miles long. It begins in Hall County and ends near Lumber City, joining the Ocmulgee River to form the Altamaha River. The Oconee River is formed by the confluence of two forks of the Oconee River, the Middle Oconee River, and the North Oconee River, which flows 55–65 miles upstream. The Oconee was one of Georgia's first rivers to support inland water navigation, and Mississippian-period mounds can be found along its banks. The upper section has bedrock outcroppings, stable bank cover, and a gravel bottom, whereas the lower area has cutaway sandbanks, fallen woody debris, and a sand and silt riverbed. Commonly caught fish include white bass, black bass, crappie, bluefish, and channel catfish.

Bass will begin to travel to shallower water in March and May to feed and prepare for the spawning season. Because there are so many bass around and they are so hungry, this is the greatest time to go bass fishing. They are frequently caught in wooded areas and undercut banks. This fish will be more enjoyable to catch if you use light tackle or fly gear. Small jigs, grubs, crankbaits, minnow plugs, and 4-inch plastic worms are among the lures they'll strike at.

Crappie are best caught between February and May and October and December. Concentrate around the main lake's creek mouths early in the year, gradually migrating up the creeks to shallow water as temperatures climb in the coming weeks. The spider rigging method, which may be done with a variety of baits, is the most prevalent approach for capturing crappie. Live minnows, crankbaits, and plastic jigs with lead jig heads are some of the most popular and effective crappie baits.

Bluefish fishing is best from March to May and September to November, when the populations are at their peak as they migrate down or back up the coast. Use a thick leader line or wire to protect yourself from their sharp teeth. In addition, to live shrimp or live bait, squid and cut bait are beneficial to bluefish. Anglers that prefer a more sporty technique can cast artificial lures with a quick retrieve speed and wait for a bite.

As for catfish, they can be caught year-round, but the best months are typically from March through June. A large bream or shad might be used. An eight-inch shad or bream is not too big for bragging-sized catfish because bigger baits normally catch bigger fish. Locate deep holes on the river's outside bends and anchor them above. Use a large sinker to hold your bait in place in the river as you drift it down into the holes.

George L. Smith State Park is the ideal south Georgia getaway, with natural beauty, lakeside camping, and charming cottages. It is most known for the restored Parrish Mill and Pond, erected in 1880 as a combination gristmill, sawmill, covered bridge, and dam. Cottages with gas fireplaces and screened porches are snuggled into the woods, while some campsites are on the water's edge. Anglers and paddlers can explore the park's mill pond, surrounded by thick stands of cypress and tupelo trees coated in Spanish moss.

Anglers and RV campers can enjoy fantastic fishing chances for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, chain pickerel, and channel catfish. The months of May and June are ideal for catching bluegill. The key to catching them is only to use a small piece of worm to cover the hook. Crickets, grasshoppers, red wrigglers, and mealworms are some more effective baits. Bluegill respond nicely to artificial lures. Black jigs (1/32 ounce and smaller) and tiny spinners are two of the greatest lures.

The months of June through August are ideal for catching a big chain pickerel. The larger fish will split from the smaller fish into lakes and ponds. The two-pounders will stay in shallow water, while the larger fish will be found in deeper water. Deep outside weedlines are the major cool-weather habitat. Pickerel can be caught with artificial lures at any depth. Try weedless spoons, diving crankbaits, and jigs topped with pig dressings for fish holding in deep water. However, lures work best in shallow water for catching chain sides.

In Jack Hill State Park, picnicking, family reunions, and golf are popular activities. During the summer, tourists can rent pedal boats and fishing boats from a small lake with picnic tables and shelters. Anglers will appreciate the docks, and kids will enjoy searching for beaver dams from the observation platform.

 

Top 10 Fish Species in Alamo, GA

The top ten fish species caught near Alamo, GA, are white bass, black bass, crappie, bluefish, channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, chain pickerel, and blue catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Due to an influx of warmer water and current offshore upwelling caused by weather changes, the greatest period to fish for redfish, mackerel, bass, and flounder in South Georgia is from May until early September. The ideal period to catch mackerel in these waters is from May until late August.

Enjoy the Tranquility in Alamo

1. Book a Fishing Charter

The many waters and land surrounding Alamo can be challenging to manage, but don't worry. Fishing charters are here to help! Hiring a pro will make your fishing experience in this location much smoother, allowing you to focus on enjoying your well-deserved fishing trip and that gorgeous Georgia sunset.

2. Visit the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is a prehistoric Native American site populated for thousands of years by various Native American tribes. During the Paleo-Indian Period, Native Americans traveled here to hunt wildlife during the Ice Age. The Mississippian Period began around 900 CE when people built mounds for their elite, which can still be seen today.

3. Discover Georgia’s Best Keep Secret at the General Coffee State Park

General Coffee State Park is renowned as one of southern Georgia's "best-kept secrets," including log cabins, a corn crib, tobacco barn, cane mill, and other displays at Heritage Farm. The park's farm animals, including goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, and donkeys, are popular with the kids.

Fish in Alamo and beyond.