Full Day Advanced Inshore Fishing in Georgia
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour advanced inshore charter targets trophy speciesCaptain Justin provides expert guidance and quality gearSmall group experience limited to 23 guests maximum
Captain Justin Harriman's full-day inshore charter puts you right where Georgia's best fish are feeding. This isn't your typical tourist trip – we're talking eight solid hours targeting trophy redfish, black drum, flounder, and bonnethead sharks in some of the most productive coastal waters on the East Coast. With just two anglers maximum, you'll get the personalized attention and prime fishing spots that separate a good day from a legendary one. Justin knows these Georgia waters like the back of his hand, and he's bringing all the top-shelf gear and local intel you need to make it count.
This charter is built for serious anglers who want to push their skills and land some real bragging rights. You'll launch early and spend the day working Georgia's intricate network of creeks, oyster bars, and shallow flats where big fish come to feed. Captain Justin runs a tight ship with professional-grade tackle and electronics, but don't expect to just sit back and watch – you'll be actively working baits, reading water, and adapting techniques as conditions change. The low guest count means you're not competing for rod time or prime spots at the rail. Every cast matters, and Justin makes sure you're positioned for success whether the fish are holding tight to structure or cruising open water.
We're using a full arsenal of proven techniques depending on what the fish are doing. Live bait fishing with shrimp, mullet, and crabs gets dialed in perfectly for the species we're targeting, while artificial lures come into play when fish are actively feeding or when we need to cover water quickly. Justin brings high-end spinning and conventional setups rigged for everything from finesse flounder fishing to heavyweight black drum battles. You'll work shallow water sight fishing, deep hole bottom fishing, and everything in between. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS to mark productive spots, but a lot of the magic happens through reading tides, water color, and bird activity – the kind of local knowledge that only comes from years on these waters.
Black drum are the heavyweights of Georgia's inshore scene, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These fish can push 40+ pounds and fight like freight trains, using their broad sides to leverage against you in the current. They're most active during moving tides around oyster beds and creek mouths, feeding heavily on crabs and shellfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with the biggest fish often showing up in cooler months. What makes them special is that raw power – black drum don't jump or run far, but they dig deep and test your drag system like few other inshore species can.
Summer flounder, or fluke, bring a completely different challenge to the table. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and ambush feeding, lying buried in sand waiting to crush unsuspecting baitfish. Georgia's flounder can reach doormat size – 5 to 8 pounds isn't uncommon for keeper fish – and they fight with surprising strength once hooked. The best action happens from late spring through early fall when they move into shallow waters to feed. What gets anglers excited is the technique required: you need to read bottom structure, work baits slowly, and detect subtle bites that feel more like a snag than a fish.
Sheepshead are the technical masters of the inshore world, with crushing jaws designed to pulverize barnacles and crabs off pilings and rocks. These black-and-white striped fighters require finesse and patience – they're notorious bait thieves with lightning-fast reflexes. Georgia's sheepshead run thick around docks, bridges, and rocky structure, especially during their winter and early spring spawning runs when fish in the 4-8 pound range become common. Anglers love them because catching sheepshead consistently requires real skill – you need perfect bait presentation, quick hooksets, and the ability to pull them away from structure before they cut you off.
Redfish are Georgia's signature inshore game fish, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise shallow flats, marsh edges, and creek mouths in schools that can make your heart race. Adult reds in the 20-30 inch range fight with incredible stamina, making long runs and using their broad tails to power through current. They're year-round residents with peak action in fall when schools of slot-sized fish feed aggressively before winter. What makes redfish special is their versatility – you can sight cast to them in skinny water, intercept them around structure, or target them with live bait in deeper holes.
Bonnethead sharks add an element of surprise and raw power to any inshore trip. These smaller members of the hammerhead family are incredibly common in Georgia waters during warm months, and they fight way above their weight class. Most bonnetheads run 2-4 feet long, but they're built for speed and endurance with that distinctive shovel-shaped head. They show up anywhere there's moving water and baitfish, from shallow flats to deeper channel edges. Anglers get fired up about bonnetheads because they hit hard, run fast, and provide non-stop action when they're feeding – plus there's always the chance a bigger shark will show up to crash the party.
Captain Justin's advanced inshore charters fill up fast, especially during peak season when conditions line up perfectly for trophy fishing. This trip delivers the kind of focused, high-level angling experience that keeps serious fishermen coming back year after year. With professional gear, expert guidance, and access to Georgia's most productive inshore waters, you're set up for the kind of day that reminds you why you love fishing in the first place. Don't wait around – Georgia's inshore bite won't last forever, and prime dates with Captain Justin book out weeks in advance.
Captain Justin's 2021 Key West 21-footer is built for serious inshore fishing along Georgia's coast. This center console bay boat runs on a dependable Yamaha 200HP that'll get you to the productive waters quickly, hitting 45 knots when you need to cover ground fast chasing fish. Perfect for targeting those trophy redfish and black drum you're after. The boat's loaded with everything you need for advanced techniques - fish finder to locate structure where the big ones hide, GPS to mark your hotspots, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches in shallow water. Keep your bait fresh in the icebox and stay connected with the onboard multimedia system. With room for just 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work different presentations without crowding each other. This setup gives you the mobility and technology to make the most of Georgia's inshore opportunities.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Georgia's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers with powerful crushing jaws love oyster beds and muddy flats where they hunt crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning around March-May. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear them underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or fiddler crab on a circle hook, fish it right on the bottom near structure, and be patient. They're notorious for picking at bait, so when you feel that telltale tap-tap, give it a second before setting the hook hard.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are the smallest hammerheads you'll encounter, running 3-4 feet and averaging 10-15 pounds. Their shovel-shaped heads make them unmistakable, and they're actually pretty shy compared to other sharks. You'll find them in shallow bays, grass flats, and around structure in 3-15 feet of water, often in small schools. Summer through early fall is prime time when they move into our inshore waters. Guests love them because they're a legitimate shark that fights hard but won't bite your boat in half. They're also surprisingly good eating - firm, white meat similar to grouper. These guys are crab crushers, so fresh blue crab cut in half works best. Thread your circle hook through a leg and fish it on the bottom. Once hooked, they'll make several strong runs, so keep steady pressure and enjoy the ride.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Georgia's signature inshore gamefish - bronze-backed beauties with that distinctive black eyespot near the tail. They average 20-30 inches but can stretch past 40 inches and 30+ pounds in our waters. Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and bulldogging fight in skinny water. Plus they're excellent table fare when kept at slot size. The meat is mild, sweet, and perfect for the grill. My favorite approach is sight-casting with topwater plugs or soft plastics to fish you can see cruising the shallows. Pro tip: when you spot one feeding, cast well ahead and work your lure past their nose - spook them and they're gone.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and those creepy human-like teeth that crush barnacles off dock pilings. Most run 1-8 pounds, but 20-pounders swim around our jetties and bridges. They're structure huggers - any pier, piling, or rocky bottom holds fish year-round, with spring being peak season during their spawning run. What makes them frustrating and fun is they're notorious bait thieves, nibbling and picking until your hook is clean. But land one and you've got some of the best eating in the ocean - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort. The trick is getting your bait tight to structure with a small hook and light line. I always tell clients to set the hook the instant you feel weight - don't wait for a big pull or you'll just be feeding them.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise - flatfish that change colors to match the bottom while both eyes scan for prey from the left side of their head. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can push 20+ pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud flats, especially around channels and drop-offs in 10-40 feet of water. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge since these fish require finesse and the meat is outstanding - sweet, white, and flaky. The fight isn't flashy, but landing a doormat-sized flounder is pure satisfaction. My go-to technique: drift live minnows or sea worms on light tackle, and always hook baitfish through the eyes so the flounder can grab it headfirst.
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