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

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.

Summer 2011

Spring 2011

Outdoor Pursuits Tournaments

For a pdf of our Outdoor Pursuits Tournaments brochure, please click here.

Hunt for Big Red
Saturday, October 15, 2011. The month of October is highlighted by the migration of giant red drum into Georgia’s coastal waters. Red drum range in size from 25–40 pounds and are caught in Ossabaw and St. Catherine’s Sounds. The entry fee includes a continental breakfast, boxed lunch, t-shirt, and refreshments. An awards dinner will be held in the evening.

Fish with Friends
Saturday, October 29, 2011. Fish with Friends is a special day of fun and fishing for special needs children of Richmond Hill. Whether it is a two-inch bluegill or a ten-pound catfish, all catches are guaranteed to bring a smile to our very special friends. All anglers will enjoy a morning of fishing and then retreat to Ogeechee Outfitters for a picnic lunch, live entertainment, and a trophy presentation. Checks for donations made payable to “Fish with Friends” are accepted throughout the year at Ogeechee Outfitters.

Great Ogeechee Trout
Friday, November 18, 2011. This tournament highlights the spotted sea trout—great 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 great Low Country autumn event. The entry fee includes a continental breakfast, boxed lunch, hat, and refreshments. Awards will be presented at Ogeechee Outfitters at the conclusion of the weigh-in. 

Wing and Clay
Saturday, February 25, 2012. 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, which is held at Dorchester Hunting Preserve, includes lunch, dinner, tips for guides, and clays.

Hook and Slice
Friday, April 27, 2012. The Hook and Slice Tournament combines fishing and golfing skills into one wild competition. This is the seventh year for this tournament, and it seems to get crazier and more fun every year. We can accommodate up to 10 foursomes. 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 each hole and five minutes between each hole.
 
Triple Crown
Saturday, July 7, 2012. The Triple Crown Tournament is a fun family 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 $1,000 cash bonus! There will also be individual awards for the largest fish in each of the three categories. The entry fee includes lunch and a special tournament t-shirt. 

“Silva Dolla” Tarpon
Friday, August 3–Saturday, August 4, 2012. 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.