Full Day Georgia Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, black drum, and flounderCaptain Justin Harriman provides expert guidance and equipmentSmall group experience limited to two guests maximum
Captain Justin Harriman knows these Georgia coastal waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. Big Red's Fishing Charters runs full-day inshore trips that target the species every angler dreams about – redfish, black drum, flounder, and even bonnethead sharks. With just 2 guests max, you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with stories and going home with fish. These aren't your typical crowded charter boat trips where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers. This is real fishing with a captain who lives and breathes these waters.
Your day starts early when Captain Harriman picks the prime spots based on current conditions, tides, and what's been biting lately. Georgia's inshore waters offer incredible diversity – from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in just a few feet of water to deeper channels where black drum and sheepshead hang around structure. The beauty of a full-day trip is flexibility. If the bite slows down in one area, you've got time to relocate and try different techniques. Captain Harriman runs top-notch equipment and knows exactly where to find the fish based on the season, weather, and tide charts. You'll cover a lot of water and hit multiple productive zones throughout the day.
Captain Harriman comes prepared with all the gear you need, from light spinning tackle perfect for flounder to heavier setups when you're targeting big black drum or sharks. Depending on what's running, you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, bottom fishing with cut bait for drum, or working live shrimp around docks and pilings for sheepshead. The captain adjusts techniques based on conditions – if it's windy, you might focus more on protected areas with structure fishing. On calm days, you could spend time on the flats looking for cruising fish. He'll teach you how to read the water, spot fish, and present baits naturally. Live bait is often the key here – fresh shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet consistently produce results in 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 30-40 pounds and fight like freight trains, using their broad sides to pull drag and test your endurance. Spring and fall are prime time for oversized black drum, especially around oyster beds and creek mouths where they feed on crabs and shellfish. What makes them special is their power – they don't jump like tarpon, but they'll give you a sustained, bulldogging fight that'll leave your arms burning.
Summer flounder are flat-out fun to catch and even better on the dinner table. These ambush predators lay buried in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Georgia's flounder can reach 5-6 pounds, and doormat-sized fish are always possible. They hit hard and fast, then try to bury back into the bottom. The key is keeping steady pressure and getting them up quickly. Late spring through early fall produces the best flounder action, especially around channel edges and drop-offs.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish you'll target, but landing one feels like solving a puzzle. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. They're notorious bait thieves, so you need perfect timing and sensitive tackle to detect their subtle bites. Winter months are peak season for sheepshead around docks, bridges, and jetties. A 4-5 pound sheepshead is a trophy, and they're outstanding table fare with firm, white meat.
Redfish are Georgia's signature inshore species and the fish that keeps anglers coming back. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats, marshes, and creek mouths year-round. Slot-sized reds (14-23 inches) are perfect for the cooler, while oversized bull reds over 27 inches provide heart-stopping runs and drag-screaming fights. Redfish are aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Seeing a big red tail in shallow water and making the perfect cast is what inshore fishing dreams are made of.
Bonnethead sharks add an element of surprise to any trip. These smaller members of the hammerhead family are common in Georgia's coastal waters during warmer months. They typically run 2-4 feet long and provide fast, spirited fights on light tackle. What's cool about bonnetheads is their unique shovel-shaped head and the fact that they're actually omnivores – they eat seagrass along with crabs and small fish. They're perfect for anglers who want to experience shark fishing without dealing with truly massive fish.
Captain Harriman's full-day trips fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is red-hot. With only 2 spots available per trip, you're guaranteed personal attention and prime fishing time. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target specific species or someone wanting to experience Georgia's world-class inshore fishing for the first time, this charter delivers the goods. The combination of Captain Harriman's local knowledge, quality equipment, and access to productive waters makes this a top-rated choice for serious anglers. Don't wait – book your spot and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Georgia coast has to offer.
Your fishing adventure launches from a solid 2021 Key West 21-footer that's built for Georgia's inshore waters. This center console bay boat handles beautifully with its Yamaha 200HP pushing you to fishing spots at up to 45 knots. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure for redfish and black drum, while the fish finder helps locate schools and bottom features where flounder like to hide. Captain Justin keeps drinks cold in the icebox and uses GPS to hit productive areas efficiently. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work lures and fight fish without crowding. The boat's shallow draft design lets you access those backcountry spots where big reds cruise the flats, and the stable platform makes it easy to sight-cast or bottom fish depending on what's biting.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90 pounds. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they use their powerful jaws to crush shellfish and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear them underwater. They're strong fighters that'll test your gear, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My local trick: use fresh blue crab on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom near oyster structure. They're picky eaters, so patience pays off.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are the smallest hammerheads we target, with that distinctive shovel-shaped head that sets them apart. Most run 3-4 feet long and are surprisingly shy compared to other sharks. You'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and near creek mouths, often in schools of 10-15 fish. Summer months are prime when they move into our Georgia waters, though they head south when it cools off. What guests enjoy is the unique experience of catching a hammerhead that's completely safe to handle - they're harmless and rarely even bite the boat. They put up a solid fight for their size and are catch-and-release only. My best tip is using fresh blue crab chunks on circle hooks fished on the bottom in 3-8 feet of water near grass beds where they hunt for crustaceans.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature species here in Georgia, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we also target the big bulls that can push 40+ inches in deeper water. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they tail and cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - plus they're beautiful fish that photograph well. They also make excellent table fare in the slot size. My favorite approach is sight fishing the flats with gold spoons or live shrimp under popping corks near structure.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 1-8 pounds, though we occasionally see 15-pounders around heavy structure. You'll find them glued to docks, bridge pilings, and oyster bars where they pick off crustaceans. Spring months are best when they're spawning around structures. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you knowing. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, firm white meat. My go-to technique is using fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp on small hooks, getting as close to structure as possible. Set the hook hard when you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match their surroundings perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches, though we see some pushing 5-6 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November are your best bet when they're most active before their offshore migration. What guests love is their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Plus, watching one change colors when it hits the deck never gets old. The key trick here in Georgia waters is using live finger mullet or mud minnows on a bucktail jig, bouncing it slowly along the bottom near creek mouths and grass edges.
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