Guided Fishing Trip In Georgia - Black Drum, Shark And More
Captain Justin Harriman knows these Georgia coastal waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some seriously good fish. When you step aboard with Big Red's Fishing Charters, you're not just booking another fishing trip – you're getting a front-row seat to some of the Southeast's best inshore action. Whether you've got a half-day to kill or want to make it a full-day adventure, Captain Harriman will tailor the experience to match your fishing goals and skill level. The Georgia coast serves up a buffet of species year-round, from chunky redfish cruising the spartina grass to drum that'll test your drag system. With top-rated equipment and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you'll spend more time fighting fish and less time wondering if you're in the right spot.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early when Captain Harriman fires up the engines and heads toward his proven honey holes along Georgia's intricate coastline. The boat's rigged with quality rods, reels, and tackle – everything you need to handle whatever's biting that day. Depending on tides, weather, and what's been active recently, you might find yourself working live bait around oyster bars, casting artificials into tidal creeks, or anchored up over structure waiting for that telltale thump of a black drum. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-fishing redfish in skinny water, the next you're battling a bonnethead shark that crashed your flounder rig. Captain Harriman reads the water conditions like a book and adjusts tactics on the fly, so you're always fishing where the action is hottest. With just two anglers max, you get personalized instruction and plenty of opportunities to work different techniques throughout the trip.
Proven Tactics & Prime Spots
Georgia's inshore waters are all about reading the structure and timing the tides right. Captain Harriman focuses on key areas like oyster reefs, grass flats, tidal creeks, and drop-offs where baitfish concentrate and predators follow. Live shrimp and finger mullet are go-to baits here, but don't be surprised if he breaks out the artificials when fish are actively feeding. Popping corks work magic over grass beds when redfish and trout are shallow, while Carolina rigs excel for bottom dwellers like black drum and sheepshead around hard structure. The captain's arsenal includes everything from lightweight spinning gear for finesse presentations to heavier tackle when targeting sharks or big drum. Circle hooks are standard to ensure clean releases, and he'll walk you through proper fish handling techniques whether you're keeping dinner or letting your catch swim another day. GPS and fish finder technology help locate productive areas quickly, but it's Captain Harriman's local knowledge that puts you on the fish consistently.
Top Catches This Season
Black drum are the heavyweights of Georgia's inshore scene, and these bruisers know how to use their bulk when hooked. You'll typically find them around oyster bars and bridge pilings where they root for crabs and shellfish. Spring and fall offer the best action, with fish ranging from 20 to 40 pounds being common catches. What makes black drum so appealing is their powerful, steady fight – they don't jump like a tarpon, but they'll test your patience and your drag system with long, determined runs. The sound they make when hooked is distinctive too, almost like a drumbeat echoing from below.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many call them, are the chameleons of the flats. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottom areas and ambush unsuspecting prey swimming overhead. Georgia's flounder season typically runs strong from late spring through early fall, with fish up to 25 inches providing excellent table fare. They're tricky to hook since they often grab bait and swim with it before committing, so timing your hookset is crucial. Once hooked, flounder make short but powerful runs, and their broad, flat bodies create surprising resistance in the water.
Sheepshead are the convict fish of inshore waters, sporting distinctive black stripes that make them easy to identify. These structure-loving fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and oysters, making them notorious bait stealers. Spring months bring the best sheepshead action in Georgia, particularly around docks, pilings, and oyster reefs. They're excellent eating fish, but catching them requires finesse – light line, small hooks, and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs work best. The fight isn't spectacular, but the challenge of outsmarting these clever fish keeps anglers coming back.
Redfish are Georgia's signature inshore species, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters patrol grass flats, oyster bars, and tidal creeks year-round. Slot-size reds between 14 and 23 inches provide non-stop action and excellent eating, while oversized bull reds exceeding 27 inches offer arm-burning fights before mandatory release. What makes redfish special is their versatility – they'll eat live bait, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Their powerful runs and stubborn head-shaking fights make every hookup memorable, plus they're abundant enough that multiple catches per trip are realistic expectations.
Bonnethead sharks add an element of surprise to any inshore trip. These smaller members of the hammerhead family cruise grass flats hunting crabs and small fish. While they typically run 2 to 4 feet long, bonnetheads are incredibly strong for their size and provide blazing runs that strip line fast. They're harmless to humans and make for great photos before release. Summer months offer the best bonnethead action, and they often show up unexpectedly when you're targeting other species, adding excitement to any trip.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain Justin Harri