Alapaha, GA Fishing: An Exciting Getaway for Bass Fishing

Alapaha is a community on the Alapaha River in Berrien County, Georgia, United States. Alapaha grew out of a trading hamlet near a Seminole community of the same name. In 1881, the city of Alapaha was founded on the site of a Seminole community of the same name.

The agricultural and industrial booms in forestry, timber, and naval stores occurred in the 1880s and 1890s. In 1881, Alapaha was featured prominently in a promotional leaflet touting South Georgia's economic potential. The Savannah, Florida, Western Railroad, Brunswick and Albany Railroad, and Macon & Brunswick Railroad produced the brochure "under their auspices."

In mid-nineteenth-century pronunciation guides, the name "Alapaha" was listed as a river, hamlet, and hundreds of other Native American nouns. There was debate about whether the word should be pronounced "A-LAP-Uh-ha" or "A-LAP-uh-haw." On a commercial hunting farm outside town, the renowned "Hogzilla," a "wild" hog weighing around 800 pounds, was shot on June 17, 2004. For a National Geographic special, the hog's carcass was unearthed.

Decades later, Alapaha is a community teeming with life and nature. Here, anglers will have a great time exploring the city’s Alapaha River and the neighboring fishing spots filled with fish.

Alapaha Fishing

The Alapaha River runs through the town. The Alapaha River Water Trail is 202 miles long and connects 125 miles of river. The banks of this blackwater river are lined with longleaf, slash, loblolly pines, and oak trees. Alligators and fish live with great blue herons and snapping turtles. This generally flatwater river has a few rapids and springs and two river sinks where the river disappears underground until it resurfaces in the Alapaha Rise. Several lakes, ponds, and swamps along this water trail are boatable all year, and some sections of the river can plummet to less than a foot deep during dry seasons.

On the western bank of the river, a second sinkhole known as the Alapaha River Sink, Suck Hole, or Devil's Den is located a few miles downstream. The Alapaha River retreats underground at this location during periods of low water flow, leaving a dry bank for the remainder of its course. The Alapaha River returns roughly a half-mile upstream from the Alapaha River's confluence with the Suwanee River at the Alapaha River Rise. In this river, commonly caught fish include bluegill, redbreast sunfish, warmouth, crappie, several species of catfish, and chain pickerel, and it is home to the Suwannee bass on the lower end. 

The ideal months to catch redbreast are March, April, May, and June, or when the water level has dropped to about 5 feet. Pitching a small bait like a beetle spin, rooster tail, or popping bug beneath low-hanging limbs near the coast is one of the most typical ways to catch redbreast.

Anglers using live bait (such as large minnows or sunfish) to reel in a pickerel should allow enough time for the pickerel to devour the bait. Pickerel will often seize live bait and run with it, pausing to set the hook as they turn it to consume it headfirst. Pickerel has a great flavor and texture, although they are somewhat bony. The bones can be removed with a bit of practice, and the meat is delicious. One of the most exciting aspects of catching a pickerel is seeing them perform gymnastics. They have a vicious strike and tend to jump and thrash near the surface once hooked.

Every year, from about mid-April until mid-May, millions of warmouth spawn on the banks of the Suwannee Canal, and they're a lot of fun to catch. Warmouths have a voracious appetite and an equally voracious mouth. Crickets, worms, small crayfish, minnows, jigs, spoons, plastic worms, spinners, flies, streamers, and plugs, are among the lures and baits they will strike.

As for Suwannee bass, even though they are little, they are known for giving quite a fight when captured on light tackle. They will take live bait or artificial lures, just like their cousins, the largemouth bass. Small crayfish-colored spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms, and jigs are popular lures and baits. Upstream, live shiners can be cast into brush piles and then let float downstream. A fly or a small floater-diver fished along the bank will catch Suwannee.

Less than twenty minutes away from Alapaha is the Paradise Public Fishing Area. The Paradise Public Fishing Area is spread across 1,351 acres in Berrien and Tift counties. Sixty lakes with a total area of 525 acres offer great boat and bank fishing. Fishing is regulated intensively on over 350 acres of water. The Paradise Public Fishing Area is densely forested, with pine plantations and longleaf pine or wiregrass colonies. Among the many waterfowl and birds of prey that frequent the area are the Canada goose, mallard, wood duck, red-tailed hawk, and majestic bald eagle. Both families and lone anglers will enjoy the peace of Paradise Public Fishing Area. Lakes are managed and well-stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and crappie.

When fishing for channel and white catfish, use an eight to fourteen-pound test line and medium-sized hooks (size 2 to 1/0) fished beneath a bobber or on the bottom. Worms, liver, live minnows, shrimp, cut bait, and stink bait are the best bait for channel, bullhead, and white catfish. Crappie anglers should go from February to May and then from October to December. Early in the year, concentrate your efforts around the main lake's creek mouths, gradually moving up the creeks to shallow water as temperatures climb in the coming weeks.

Another nearby highly recommended fishing destination is the Reed Bingham State Park which is only forty minutes away from Alapaha. Boaters and skiers frequent the park's 375-acre lake. Bass, crappie, catfish, and bream are all popular fishing species. Paddlers can rent canoes and kayaks to explore this lovely lake, surrounded by scented water lilies and tupelo trees. During some events, guided pontoon boat rides are available. Parties, reunions, and other festivities can be held at the oceanfront pavilion, picnic, and group shelters. Reed Bingham is only six miles off Interstate 75, giving it a convenient stop for travelers.

Top 10 Fish Species in Alapaha, GA

The top ten fish species caught in Alapaha, GA, are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, redfish, striped bass, bluegill, crappie, sea trout, bluefish, brook trout, and brown trout.

Seasonal Fishing

In general, fishing is great year-round, not only in Alapaha but in all of Georgia. However, for those who are targeting specific species, certain months are considered the ideal time. The best period is from April through September for those targeting striped bass, largemouth bass, mahi-mahi, crappie, redfish, and tarpon.

Indulge Yourself in the Simplicity of Alapaha

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Fishing is all about trying new things. Every excursion out on the water is different since you continually catch new fish species and change your rods and bait. A charter allows you to explore new waterways confidently, and the crew will be able to take you through those new fishing grounds.

2. Visit the Alapaha Colored School

The Alapaha Colored School is a historic school in Alapaha, Georgia, located on Henry Street just south of the George Street intersection. It is one of Georgia's few two-story wood-frame African-American school structures. It was constructed in 1924 on a brick foundation. On July 11, 2002, it was entered into the National Register of Historic Places.

3. Go to the Horse Creek Winery

Forty acres of some of the highest quality, sweetest Muscadine grapes in America are planted in the lush green terrain of South Georgia. Horse Creek Winery's heart and soul is a woody vine native to the Southeast United States and recognized for its musky fruit. We've expanded our Georgia winery offerings over the last 15 years to include two sites, a 5-star restaurant, fantastic event rooms, wine tastings, and a large gift store.