Full Day Family Fishing Trip in Midway, GA
Looking for the perfect way to introduce your kids to the sport you love while still having a real shot at some quality fish? Captain Justin Harriman's full-day family trip out of Midway, GA hits that sweet spot between fun for the little ones and serious fishing action. This 8-hour adventure targets some of Georgia's most reliable inshore species - black drum, redfish, sheepshead, flounder, and even bonnethead sharks. With space for up to 2 guests on Big Red's Fishing Charters' well-equipped boat, you'll have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a relaxed day on the water without the chaos of larger group charters.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Justin keeps things simple but effective on these family trips. You'll launch from Midway and head into Georgia's protected inshore waters where the conditions stay manageable even when the weather gets a little bumpy offshore. The boat is set up with comfortable seating and all the safety gear you need for peace of mind with kids aboard. This isn't a high-pressure tournament-style trip - it's designed to let everyone fish at their own pace while still putting you on productive water. You'll work structure like oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass flats where these inshore species love to hang out. The captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you just need to bring yourselves and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included. The 8-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to move around and find active fish without feeling rushed.
Techniques That Work Here
Captain Justin focuses on bottom fishing techniques that are perfect for beginners and kids while still being deadly effective. You'll mainly use circle hooks with cut bait and live shrimp to target drum, sheepshead, and redfish around structure. The beauty of fishing these Georgia waters is that the techniques are straightforward - drop your bait down, feel for the bite, and set the hook. For flounder, you might do some slow drifting with bucktails or Berkeley Gulp baits across sandy bottoms and drop-offs. When bonnethead sharks are around, switching to slightly heavier tackle and bigger baits often does the trick. The captain handles all the boat positioning and bait rigging, so even first-time anglers can focus on the fun parts. You'll learn to read your rod tip, feel the difference between a fish bite and bottom structure, and get comfortable with basic hook-setting techniques that work for multiple species.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Black drum are the workhorses of Georgia's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters range from smaller "puppy drum" perfect for kids to handle up to bruisers that'll test your drag system. They're most active during moving tides around oyster bars and bridge pilings, and they're not particularly spooky, making them ideal targets for family trips. Black drum have a distinctive drumming sound they make with their swim bladders - kids love hearing that underwater percussion when you bring one to the boat. Summer flounder, or fluke as many anglers call them, are the ultimate test of patience and technique. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting to ambush baitfish. They typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with the occasional doormat pushing 4-5 pounds. Flounder fishing peaks in late spring through early fall when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawning runs.
Sheepshead are Georgia's answer to a puzzle fish - they're everywhere, but catching them consistently takes some skill. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. They're notorious bait stealers, so you'll need to stay alert and set the hook quickly. But when you connect with a good sheepshead, they're surprisingly strong fighters that make excellent table fare. Redfish, or red drum, are probably the most popular inshore species along the Georgia coast. These bronze-backed fish with distinctive black spots near their tails are aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from live shrimp to cut bait. They're found in everything from shallow creeks to deeper channel edges, making them a reliable target throughout the day. Slot-size reds (14-23 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while oversized fish provide catch-and-release excitement.
Bonnethead sharks add an element of surprise to these family trips. These smaller members of the hammerhead family rarely exceed 3-4 feet, making them manageable for younger anglers while still providing that shark-fishing thrill. They're actually quite common in Georgia's inshore waters during warmer months, feeding on crabs and small fish in shallow areas. Bonnetheads are completely harmless to humans and make for great photos before release. Kids especially get excited about catching their first shark, even if it's one of the smaller, more docile species.
Time to Book Your Spot
This trip strikes the perfect balance between introducing kids to serious fishing and still giving experienced anglers a chance at quality catches. Captain Justin's approach focuses on fun and learning rather than filling the cooler, but you'll be surprised how often those two goals overlap on Georgia's productive inshore waters. The 8-hour timeframe gives you flexibility to adapt to conditions and fish behavior, while the small group size ensures everyone gets personal attention. With all gear provided and a captain who knows how to work with families, this is as turnkey as fishing trips get. Whether you're looking to create lifelong fishing memories with your kids or just want a relaxed day targeting some of the coast's most reliable species, this family-friendly charter delivers exactly what it promises.