Full Day Family Fishing Trip in Midway, GA
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour family fishing adventure targeting multiple inshore speciesCaptain Justin provides all gear aboard comfortable vesselSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jump aboard this sharp 2021 Key West 21-foot center console for your Georgia inshore fishing adventure. Built for family trips with room for 3 anglers, this bay boat cuts through coastal waters with a smooth-running Yamaha 200HP that'll get you to the fishing spots quickly. The onboard fish finder helps locate those black drum and redfish hiding in the shallows, while the wireless trolling motor lets Captain Justin position the boat quietly without spooking the fish. Keep your drinks cold in the icebox during the 8-hour trip, and stay comfortable with the multimedia system between bites. GPS navigation ensures you're always on course in Georgia's inshore waters. This boat's perfect for introducing kids to fishing while still being serious enough for adults who want to land some quality fish along the coast.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers get their name from the drumming sounds they make, especially during spring spawning season when they school up in shallow water. You'll find them around oyster beds, creek mouths, and muddy flats where they use their powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring through early summer offers the best action when they're concentrated for spawning. Families love targeting drum because they're strong fighters that don't give up easy, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. My local tip: use fresh blue crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom near structure - they're notorious for subtle bites, so watch your rod tip closely.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are the perfect family-friendly introduction to shark fishing, running 3-4 feet long with their distinctive shovel-shaped heads. These small hammerheads are completely harmless and actually pretty shy, often traveling in schools of 10-15 fish through our shallow bays and estuaries. Summer months bring the best action as they move into Georgia waters, following warm temperatures and abundant food sources. What makes them special is their unique head shape and the solid fight they put up on light tackle - plus kids get a thrill from catching their first shark. They're also the only sharks known to eat seagrass along with their usual diet of crabs and small fish. My go-to technique: cut blue crab in half and hook it through a leg, fish it on the bottom near grass beds with a 20-pound leader. Once hooked, they'll make several strong runs, so let the drag do the work and enjoy the fight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore species, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-32 inches, but we see plenty of slot-sized fish perfect for the cooler. These shallow-water fighters love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up. Families love redfish because they fight hard, hit topwater lures with explosive strikes, and provide great table fare with mild, sweet meat. The sight-fishing opportunities are fantastic - watching a red's back break the surface as it feeds is something special. Local tip: in our skinny water around Midway, throw a gold spoon or live shrimp near moving water during tide changes. Keep your approach quiet and presentations natural - these fish can be spooky in shallow areas.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of our most unique catches with their human-like teeth and black-and-white "convict" stripes. These 1-8 pound fish hang tight around docks, bridge pilings, and oyster beds where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Early spring during their February-April spawning period offers peak action, but you can catch them year-round in our waters. What guests love most is their stubborn fighting style and excellent eating quality - sweet, white meat that's worth the challenge of cleaning around those tough scales. They're notorious bait thieves, so patience pays off. My best local advice: get your bait as close to structure as possible using fiddler crabs or shrimp, keep a tight line, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. They'll try to steal your bait all day if you let them, so stay sharp and be ready.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are fascinating flatfish that live with both eyes on their left side, perfectly camouflaged against sandy bottoms. Most run 15-20 inches, but we occasionally see doormat-sized fish pushing 26 pounds. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to strike passing baitfish and crabs. Fall months from September through November give us the best flounder action as they move through our area. What makes them special is their "chameleon" ability to change colors to match the bottom, plus they're absolutely delicious table fare with mild, white meat. Families enjoy the excitement of never knowing what size might grab the bait. Pro tip: when targeting flounder, use a slow retrieve with live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook, and give them extra time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Georgia