Outdoor Pursuits
Fishing
From bluegill to blue marlin, The Ford Plantation provides some of the best fishing opportunities to be found in the country. The Plantation's 250 acres of fresh and brackish water lakes are a dream come true for the light-tackle angler. If the fish aren't biting, it's always fun to throw a cast for shrimp or catch a few crabs for dinner in Lake Clara.
The Ford Plantation is situated on a tidal stretch of the Ogeechee River with endless creeks and tributaries that are home to largemouth and striped bass. Just a short run down the river are pristine salt marshes lined with oyster beds. The salt marsh is teeming with redfish, sea trout, and even tarpon. The Ford Plantation hosts the "Silva Dolla" Tarpon Tournament, one of the longest running fishing tournaments in the Low Country.
The offshore waters of the Georgia coast are some of the most productive waters along the Atlantic coast. Bottom fishing for snapper and grouper is excellent during the summer and fall, and blue water species, such as mahi, tuna, wahoo, and billfish, are targeted in the waters of the Gulf Stream.
What sets The Ford Plantation apart from other communities is its staff of licensed professional guides, who are available every day to take members and their guests fishing and exploring.
Outdoor Fun
Canoes and Kayaks. The Ford Plantation maintains kayaks and canoes for members' use on Lake Clara. For a truly one-on-one experience with nature, expert guides will lead expeditions from Ogeechee Outfitters at the marina to the more than 20 nautical miles of scenic canals and pristine creeks.
Pathfinder Boats. Ford maintains two Pathfinder boats with trolling motors—one in Lake Sterling and one in Lake Dye—for members to use and enjoy at their convenience.
Target Range. The Ford Plantation has an on-property archery range that gives new shooters an opportunity to learn more about the sport and provides a location for the seasoned archer to practice prior to an actual hunt. Instruction is provided upon request.
Shooting
Hook, Line & Sinker
We are pleased to share Hook, Line & Sinker--our quarterly newsletter that chronicles our incredible Outdoor Pursuits opportunities. We hope you enjoy these issues--please feel free to share them with your friends and family.
Outdoor Pursuits Tournaments
Great Ogeechee TroutFriday, November 9, 2012. This tournament highlights the spotted sea trout—light tackle quarry that reaches its peak in-shore population during October and November. These fish are also great table fare. Join us for this fun fishing tournament and enjoy a spectacular Low Country autumn event. Awards will be presented at Ogeechee Outfitters at the conclusion of the weigh-in. The tournament begins at 7:00 a.m.
Wing and Clay
Saturday, February 23, 2013. The Wing and Clay Tournament combines a quail hunt in the morning and a challenging sporting clay course in the afternoon. All participants shoot in teams of two with the shotgun gauge of their choice. The combined score of both events determines the winning team. This event is held at Dorchester Shooting Preserve. The tournament begins at 7:00 a.m.
Hook and Slice®
Friday, April 26, 2013. The Hook and Slice Tournament® combines fishing and golfing skills into one wild competition, using the lakes and the front 9 golf course. The tournament fee includes a boxed lunch, t-shirt, gift bag with tackle, and awards dinner that evening. Teams will have 25 minutes per hole to fish and golf and five minutes between each hole. Scoring is based on the golf score for each hole and the size of the fish caught at each hole. We can accommodate up to 10 foursomes. Practice at the driving range begins at 10:00 a.m.; shotgun start at 11:00 a.m.
Triple Crown
Saturday, July 6, 2013. The Triple Crown Tournament is a family-oriented fishing tournament that spotlights three of our most popular migratory species: Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and triple tail. All of these fish can be caught in our near-shore waters and are great fun on light tackle. Some interesting fishing strategy will need to be applied to come up with all three species in a single day, and the first boat that accomplishes this feat will be awarded a $1,500 cash bonus! There will also be individual awards for the largest fish in each of the three categories. The tournament starts at 7:00 a.m. with coffee and Danish and a Captains meeting.
“Silva Dolla” Tarpon
Friday, August 9–Saturday, August 10, 2013. The “Silva Dolla” is the only tarpon tournament in Georgia and the longest running tarpon tournament in South Carolina and Georgia. We are fortunate to have these spectacular game fish migrate into our waters during the summer months. The general size of Georgia tarpon ranges from 50–150 pounds, and they are spectacular quarry on any type of tackle. The entry fee includes two days of fishing, beverages and box lunches, tournament shirt, Captains’ meeting cookout, awards dinner, continental breakfast at Ogeechee Outfitters Friday and Saturday mornings, and all tackle and bait for chartered boats. The event starts both mornings at 6:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast at The Marina, with boats departing at 7:00 a.m.
