Full Day Family Fishing Trip in Midway, GA
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, black drum, and flounderFamily-friendly charter accommodates up to 2 guests with provided gearEight-hour trip explores calm Georgia coastal waters from Midway
Looking for the perfect way to get the whole family hooked on fishing? Captain Justin Harriman's 8-hour inshore adventure out of Midway, GA is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical charter - it's designed from the ground up for families who want to experience Georgia's top-rated coastal waters without the stress. With room for up to 2 guests, you'll have plenty of space to move around, cast lines, and create memories that'll last way beyond the boat ride home. The calm inshore waters around Midway are famous among local anglers for holding some seriously impressive fish, and Captain Justin knows exactly where to find them.
Your day kicks off bright and early from Midway's marina, where you'll meet Captain Justin and get acquainted with Big Red's comfortable fishing boat. This isn't some cramped vessel - there's plenty of room for everyone to fish comfortably, and the setup is perfect for kids who might be handling a rod and reel for the first time. The Georgia coast around Midway offers some of the most productive inshore fishing in the Southeast, with protected waters that stay calm even when the ocean gets choppy. You'll spend your 8 hours working different spots, from grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where black drum hang out. Captain Justin has a knack for reading the water and adjusting tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are doing that particular day. The boat comes equipped with all the safety gear you'd expect, plus comfortable seating and shade when you need a break from the Georgia sun.
Forget about bringing your own tackle - Captain Justin provides everything you need for a successful day. We're talking quality rods and reels that are easy for beginners to handle, plus a tackle box full of the right baits and lures for whatever species we're targeting. The techniques you'll learn are straightforward but effective. Bottom fishing with cut bait works great for black drum and sheepshead, while live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly on redfish cruising the shallows. If you've got kids on board, Captain Justin is excellent at showing them the basics - how to cast without tangling everyone up, when to set the hook, and most importantly, how to fight a fish without losing it at the boat. The inshore waters around Midway are perfect for learning because you're not dealing with heavy currents or massive swells. You can focus on the fishing instead of just trying to stay upright.
Black drum are the heavyweights of this trip, and Georgia's coastal waters produce some monsters. These fish can push 30-40 pounds and fight like freight trains once you hook them. They love structure like oyster bars and bridge pilings, feeding on crabs and oysters with their powerful crushing jaws. Fall and winter are prime time for big black drum, and kids love the steady, powerful fight they put up. You'll hear the drag screaming as these fish make their runs.
Redfish are the poster child of inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties cruise the grass flats and marsh edges year-round, though fall brings the best action when they school up in big numbers. A typical Georgia red runs 18-27 inches and fights way above its weight class. They're ambush predators that love to surprise shrimp and small fish, which makes them perfect targets for artificial lures. The sight of a redfish's back fin cutting through shallow water will get your heart racing every time.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many anglers call them, are the masters of camouflage. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to ambush passing baitfish. Georgia's summer flounder season runs spring through fall, with the biggest fish showing up in deeper water during summer months. They're fantastic eating and provide a different kind of fishing challenge since you need to work the bottom with bucktails or live bait. Kids get a kick out of how these fish look, with both eyes on one side of their head.
Sheepshead are the convict fish of the coast, with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. They're notorious bait stealers, nibbling fiddler crabs and shrimp right off your hook if you're not paying attention. But that's what makes them so much fun to target - you need quick reflexes and a gentle touch. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action around Midway's abundant structure. These fish are excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Bonnethead sharks add some excitement to the mix, especially for young anglers who've never tangled with a shark before. These smaller members of the hammerhead family are common in Georgia's inshore waters during warmer months. They typically run 2-4 feet long and put up a great fight on light tackle. Don't worry - bonnetheads are completely harmless to humans and are actually quite docile. They feed primarily on crabs and small fish, making them frequent bycatch when targeting other species.
This family-friendly charter fills up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hot. Captain Justin's reputation for putting families on fish while keeping everyone safe and engaged has made this trip a customer favorite around Midway. You're getting 8 solid hours on some of Georgia's most productive inshore waters, with all gear provided and a captain who genuinely enjoys sharing his knowledge with the next generation of anglers. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing or just want a relaxed day on the water targeting multiple species, this charter delivers exactly what you're after. The memories you'll make fighting fish in Georgia's beautiful coastal waters are worth every penny, and the photos of your family with their catches will be hanging on the wall for years to come.
Step aboard "Big Red," our reliable 2021 Key West 21-foot center console that's built for Georgia's inshore waters. This nimble bay boat handles beautifully in the shallows where redfish cruise and black drum feed. The 200HP Yamaha gets us to the fishing grounds quickly, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when we're stalking fish in skinny water. With an onboard fish finder, we'll locate schools of sheepshead around structure and track flounder along sandy bottoms. The spacious deck gives everyone room to cast, and the icebox keeps drinks cold during those hot Georgia afternoons. GPS navigation ensures we hit all the productive spots along the coast. Perfect for families wanting to experience real inshore fishing without the crowds of larger charter boats.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are Georgia's gentle giants, running 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90. They love shallow oyster beds and muddy flats where they crunch shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring's your best bet when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. These gray-black beauties fight hard but steady, making them perfect for families. Keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating; the big ones get tough and stringy. My tip: use fresh crab on a circle hook and fish right on the bottom near those oyster bars. They're picky eaters but once hooked, they'll give you a solid tug-of-war that kids love.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are the gentle hammerheads of our inshore waters, with that distinctive shovel-shaped head that sets them apart. Most run 3-4 feet and are completely harmless - perfect for getting kids comfortable around sharks. You'll find schools of them in shallow bays and grass flats during warmer months, then they head south come winter. They're scrappy fighters despite their size, giving steady runs that wear you out. What's cool is watching their spade-shaped heads sweep side to side as they hunt for crabs. Fresh blue crab cut in half works best - hook it through a leg and fish on the bottom with 20-pound line. These guys travel in groups, so where there's one, there's usually more.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Georgia's signature inshore fish, sporting copper sides and that distinctive black eyespot near the tail. They average 20-30 inches but can hit 45+ pounds in deeper water. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths year-round. What gets people hooked is that explosive strike on topwater lures and the bulldogging fight that follows. The smaller "slot" fish make great table fare with mild, flaky meat. They're not picky eaters - live shrimp, cut bait, or spoons all work. My go-to trick: look for nervous baitfish or that telltale bronze back cruising the shallows. Cast ahead of them and work your bait slow. When they hit, hold on tight!
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Georgia waters with their black stripes and freaky human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we've pulled 20-pounders off dock pilings and bridge structures. Spring's hot - February through April when they spawn around jetties and reefs. These guys are notorious bait thieves, nibbling fiddler crabs and barnacles with surgical precision. What makes them fun is the challenge - they'll steal your bait all day if you're not quick on the hookset. The white, sweet meat makes it worth the hassle. Pro tip: get your bait tight against structure and when you feel them pecking, set that hook hard and fast. Use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the chameleons of our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match the seafloor perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, though we see some beauties pushing 26 pounds. Fall's prime time - September through November when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. They hang in 10-40 feet over sand and mud, ambushing baitfish with lightning strikes. Families love the steady fight and white, flaky meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. Here's the trick: use live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook, and when you feel that tap-tap-tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. They bite sideways, so give them time to turn the bait.
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