There are places that just demand your respect—and the Okefenokee Swamp is one of them. When you paddle into these dark, tannin-stained waters, you quickly realize you’re not at the top of the food chain. It’s wild. It’s ancient. And it’s absolutely full of life.
On this trip, I linked up with my good buddy Chris Funk—also known as “the feral one”—a man who knows this swamp like the back of his hand. Between the gators, thick brush, and unexpected fish bites, it was the kind of kayak fishing trip that keeps you on your toes… and checking over your shoulder.
First Impressions of the Swamp
Before we even got our lines in the water, the Okefenokee swamp was already putting on a show. Logs turned out to be gators. Big ones. Chris and I were dodging reptiles left and right, trying to keep our boats—and ourselves—intact.
We launched into waters that were higher than normal, with ramps submerged and gators lounging in the usual parking spots. It’s wild, raw, and demands your full attention.
The Kayak Fishing Gear and Setup
This trip was the maiden voyage for a new kayak setup, the Sea Eagle FishSup FS1210. I’d already tested the ePropulsion motor, and this was my chance to see how it handled in a real fishing environment. The next day, I planned to swap it out for the Torqeedo Travel Ultralight to do a side-by-side comparison.
Target Species: Bowfin, Jacks, and the Occasional Bass
Our main target was bowfin—a toothy, aggressive species that thrives in this kind of swampy habitat. They’re tough fighters and a ton of fun on the line. But Chris, never one to shy away from excitement, was also chasing chain pickerel and keeping his eyes open for the occasional largemouth bass.
Bowfin are perfect for this type of Okefenokee Swamp water: ambush predators lurking in the shadows, waiting for a spinnerbait or chatterbait to come too close. I had multiple hookups—some solid, some short-lived—and a few heartbreakers right at the boat. That’s just part of the game.
Close Calls and Big Laughs
There’s something different about fishing in a place where the logs move. We joked around a lot, but make no mistake—there were moments of real tension. One gator in particular seemed a little too curious, watching closely as we worked a deep hole near a confluence where the swamp pours into a channel.
It turns out that’s a prime feeding spot—not just for gators, but for fish too. That intersection of moving water and structure produced some of the best bites of the trip. Spinnerbaits slow-rolled across the bottom were money. I was throwing a chatterbait and using Seaguar Smackdown 30 lb braid with a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader, tied up with a double uni knot. It handled the abrasion and power of these fish just fine.
The History and Haunting Beauty of the Okefenokee
Between casts, Chris shared stories of the swamp’s past—about old railroad towns, massive virgin cypress forests, and the doomed attempts to drain it. Places like Billy’s Island, once home to settlers and even a movie theater, are now ghost towns swallowed by the swamp. You feel the weight of history out here, in the silence and the still water.
It’s the kind of place where nature always wins. And that’s exactly why we come.
Okefenokee Fishing Adventure
The Okefenokee Swamp isn’t just another fishing destination—it’s an experience. It’s about the fish, sure, but also about the place, the people, and the wild moments you don’t expect. Like the baby gator that swam right up to Chris. Or the fish that absolutely wrecked my setup just as I was about to net it. Or the one that got away… three times.
If you’re thinking about fishing here, go with someone who knows the swamp. Respect the wildlife. Bring your A-game. And don’t forget to soak in every second of the adventure—because places like this are becoming rarer by the day.
