Full Day Inshore Fishing Trip in Midway, GA
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish and black drumBeginner-friendly trip with all gear and instruction providedSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests
Captain Justin Harriman's full-day inshore fishing adventure puts you right where Georgia's coastal waters come alive with hungry fish. Starting from Midway, you'll spend eight solid hours working the flats, creeks, and shallow waters where redfish cruise and black drum feed. This isn't a rush job – it's a proper fishing day designed for folks who want to learn the ropes without feeling overwhelmed. With just two guests max, Captain Justin keeps things personal and makes sure everyone gets plenty of rod time and hands-on coaching.
Your day kicks off early from Midway's boat ramp, where Captain Justin will have the gear rigged and ready. The inshore waters around here are perfect for beginners because they're protected from big ocean swells, giving you steady footing while you master your casting technique. You'll work structure like oyster bars, grass beds, and creek mouths where fish like to hang out and feed. Captain Justin reads these waters like a book and knows exactly where to position the boat for the best shots at feeding fish. The pace stays relaxed but productive – no pressure to be perfect, just focus on learning and having a good time. All tackle, bait, and instruction come included, so you can concentrate on feeling that first tug on your line.
Captain Justin runs a clean operation with quality spinning reels spooled with braided line for better sensitivity and hook sets. You'll learn to work both live bait and artificial lures, depending on what the fish are eating that day. Shrimp under popping corks is a go-to setup for redfish and black drum, while soft plastics on jig heads work magic around structure. He'll teach you proper casting form, how to work a lure through the water column, and most importantly, how to feel the difference between a fish bite and getting hung up on bottom. The boat stays positioned with a trolling motor for quiet approaches to spooky fish, and Captain Justin handles all the technical stuff like reading the depth finder and watching tide movements so you can focus on fishing fundamentals.
Black drum are the heavyweights of Georgia's inshore scene, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 5-pounders up to bruising 40+ pound bulls that'll test your drag system. They feed year-round but really turn on during cooler months when they pack into deeper creek bends and oyster bar edges. These fish fight dirty – they use their bulk and that big drum-shaped body to pull straight down toward structure. Landing your first keeper black drum is a rite of passage that'll have you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many anglers call them, are the masters of camouflage that ambush bait from sandy bottoms and grass edges. Best fishing happens during warmer months when they move into shallow feeding areas. A quality flounder runs 16-20 inches and provides some of the sweetest table fare you'll find in these waters. They strike with a distinctive thump-thump bite that's different from other species, and seeing that flat, diamond-shaped fish come to the surface never gets old. Captain Justin knows the exact spots where these ambush predators set up shop.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as bait thieves with crushing jaws full of human-like teeth designed for crunching crustaceans off oyster bars and pilings. Peak season runs fall through early spring when they stack up around structure in good numbers. A slot-sized sheepshead in the 14-16 inch range makes for challenging fishing and exceptional eating. They're notorious for subtle bites that require quick hook sets, making them perfect practice fish for developing your feel and timing. Once you master sheepshead fishing, you'll have skills that transfer to targeting other finicky species.
Redfish are Georgia's signature inshore gamefish, with their distinctive copper coloring and black spot near the tail making them instantly recognizable. Slot fish run 18-27 inches and provide steady, bulldogging fights that showcase their strength. They feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around structure and current breaks. Spring and fall offer peak action, but you'll find feeding reds throughout most of the year in these productive waters. There's something special about watching a red's back and tail break the surface as it crushes your bait in knee-deep water – it's pure inshore fishing magic that keeps anglers coming back.
Bonnethead sharks bring a different kind of excitement to your fishing day with their smaller size and feisty attitude. These mini-hammerheads rarely exceed 3-4 feet but make up for size with aggressive strikes and aerial displays. Summer months offer the best bonnethead action when they cruise grass flats hunting crabs and small fish. They're completely harmless to handle and release, making them perfect for building confidence around shark fishing. Captain Justin will show you proper release techniques while you get up close with these fascinating creatures that look like miniature versions of their giant hammerhead cousins.
This full-day inshore fishing trip delivers exactly what new anglers need – patient instruction, productive fishing spots, and enough time on the water to really get the hang of things. Captain Justin's approach takes the intimidation out of fishing while still putting you on quality fish that'll bend your rod and test your skills. With Georgia's inshore waters producing year-round action and only two spots available per trip, you'll get the personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and a fishing experience that hooks you for life. The combination of variety, instruction, and productive waters makes this the perfect introduction to what inshore fishing is all about.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a nimble 2021 Key West 21-foot center console, perfectly sized for navigating Georgia's inshore waters around Midway. This bay boat handles shallow flats and coastal channels with ease, powered by a smooth Yamaha 200HP that'll get you to the fish quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Justin position you silently over redfish and black drum hotspots without spooking your targets. With an onboard fish finder, you'll watch the bottom structure and locate schools in real-time. The spacious deck gives you plenty of room to cast and fight fish, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the full 8-hour trip. GPS navigation ensures you hit all the productive spots along Georgia's coast, from oyster bars to creek mouths where sheepshead and other species feed.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore flats, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs, which makes them perfect for our oyster-rich waters around Midway. You'll find them cruising shallow muddy flats and oyster beds, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and get easier to target. What guests love most is their bulldogging fight - once hooked, they use that broad body to pull hard and steady. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a circle hook and letting it sit right on the bottom near oyster structure. These fish are cautious, so keep noise to a minimum when you're over them.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead Sharks are the gentle giants of the shark family, easily identified by their unique spade-shaped heads and shy demeanor. Most run 3-4 feet long and are completely harmless to humans - they're more interested in crabs and small fish than anything else. You'll find them in shallow bays, grass flats, and near creek mouths, often swimming in small schools. Summer months are prime time when they move into our warmer inshore waters to feed and spawn. What guests enjoy is getting to catch their first shark in a relaxed setting - these fish fight surprisingly hard for their size but won't jump in the boat or cause any drama. They're also fascinating to observe up close before release. My best tip is using fresh blue crab cut in half with the hook through one of the legs. Fish it on the bottom in 4-8 feet of water over grass beds. When you hook up, expect a steady, determined fight that'll test your arms.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Around Midway, most fish run 18-32 inches and put up a fantastic fight in the shallow water. They love cruising 1-4 feet of water over grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. While they bite year-round, fall and spring are peak times when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is their willingness to eat topwater lures and the explosive strikes they deliver in skinny water. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The slot fish between 14-23 inches are perfect for the dinner table. My local secret is working topwater plugs early morning over grass flats on the falling tide. These fish are sight fishers, so polarized sunglasses help spot their bronze backs and tails in the shallows.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our inshore waters 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 and 14-20 inches, though the occasional 20-pounder shows up around deeper structure. You'll find them tight to any hard structure - dock pilings, bridge supports, oyster bars, and rocky areas where they feed on barnacles and small crabs. Spring months from February through April are prime time when they move shallow to spawn. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are notorious bait stealers with light, finicky bites that'll test your patience. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in these waters with sweet, flaky white meat. My best advice is to use small hooks with fresh fiddler crab and fish as close to structure as possible. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are masters of disguise - flatfish that change color to match the bottom while lying in wait for baitfish. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can push 26 pounds and make for great table fare with their delicate white meat. They're ambush predators that hang out on sandy bottoms in our estuaries and nearshore waters, typically in 10-30 feet. Fall fishing from September through November is prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them fun to target is their sneaky bite - they'll often grab your bait and just sit there, so you have to pay attention to subtle weight on the line. Live minnows or sea worms work best, and here's a local tip: hook your baitfish through the eyes rather than the lips. Flounder bite sideways, so this presentation gets them hooked up better.
Georgia