Guided Fishing Trip In Georgia - Black Drum, Shark And More
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing targeting redfish, black drum, and flounder speciesHalfday to fullday trips accommodate up to 2 guestsCaptain Justin Harriman provides expert guidance and equipment
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.
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.
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.
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.
Captain Justin Harri
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Georgia's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love our oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in brackish water. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and become easier to target. They're known for their crushing jaws and the drumming sounds they make underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near structure. Their bite feels like a slow, steady pull rather than a sharp strike, so be patient and let them take it before setting the hook.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are Georgia's smallest hammerheads, typically running 3-4 feet long with their unique shovel-shaped heads. These docile sharks cruise our shallow bays, grass flats, and creek mouths in schools of 10-15 fish. Summer months are prime when they move north into our warm coastal waters. What's cool about them is they're completely harmless to humans and give a surprisingly strong fight for their size. They feed mainly on blue crabs and shrimp. Here's the trick: use fresh-cut blue crab on a circle hook with a wire leader, and fish the shallow grass flats on an incoming tide. They'll school up in just a few feet of water, so once you find one, there's usually more around.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Georgia's signature inshore gamefish, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These shallow water hunters typically range 20-35 inches and love our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer peak action when they school up. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their bulldogging fight in shallow water. They're also great eating at slot size. Here's what works: cast a gold spoon or topwater plug to tailing fish in skinny water early morning or late evening. Keep your approach quiet - they spook easily in shallow areas but the topwater strikes are worth the stealth.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Georgia waters with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These structure lovers typically weigh 1-8 pounds and hang around dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they crunch on barnacles and crabs. Spring months bring the best fishing when they spawn around jetties and reefs. Anglers love them for their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're notorious bait thieves though, so stay sharp. Local secret: get your bait tight to the pilings and use fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small circle hook. When you feel them picking at the bait, set that hook hard because their bony mouths are tough to penetrate.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are Georgia's masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can reach impressive sizes up to 26 pounds. They're found in our estuaries and inshore waters, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. Fall months from September through November offer the best action when they're most active. What makes them special is their incredible ability to change colors to match the bottom, plus they're some of the best eating fish you'll find. Pro tip: when drift fishing for flounder, use a bucktail jig tipped with live minnow or sea worm, and work it slowly along the bottom. They hit soft, so stay alert for that subtle tap.
Georgia