Family Half Day Fishing Trip - Tybee Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour family fishing adventure targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain provides all equipment with hands-on guidance for beginnersIntimate two-guest capacity ensures personalized attention and comfort
Captain Trey Wagner knows how to make a family fishing trip work for everyone. His 4-hour inshore adventures around Tybee Island have become a customer favorite because he keeps things relaxed, safe, and productive. You'll fish the calm backwaters and creeks where redfish cruise the grass flats, speckled trout hang around oyster bars, and flounder hide in sandy pockets. This isn't about high-pressure fishing or complicated techniques—it's about getting your family on fish while everyone actually enjoys themselves. With all gear provided and a captain who genuinely loves teaching kids how to fish, you'll spend your time focusing on what matters: making memories and maybe landing dinner.
Trey runs his trips in the protected inshore waters around Tybee Island, which means you're fishing in calm, comfortable conditions perfect for families. The boat stays in areas where kids can actually handle the fishing without getting seasick or overwhelmed. You'll start early enough to beat the heat but not so early that getting the family ready becomes a nightmare. The captain provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait—you just need to bring snacks, drinks, and sunscreen. Most of the fishing happens in 2-8 feet of water around structure like oyster beds, grass flats, and creek mouths where fish naturally congregate. Trey keeps the boat positioned so everyone can fish comfortably, and he's constantly moving between spots to keep the action going. The whole setup is designed so parents can relax while kids learn proper fishing fundamentals.
This is classic inshore light tackle fishing using live and artificial baits that work consistently in these waters. You'll primarily fish with spinning gear loaded with 15-20 pound test line—strong enough for good-sized redfish but light enough that kids can feel every bite. The captain typically starts with live shrimp under popping corks around oyster structure, which is deadly on speckled trout and redfish. He'll also have you casting soft plastic baits like paddle tails and gulp shrimp to visible fish or promising structure. For flounder, expect to work the bottom with Carolina rigs and live finger mullet or mud minnows. Trey adjusts techniques based on conditions and what's biting, but everything stays simple enough that first-time anglers can succeed. The key is reading the water—understanding how tides, structure, and bait movements affect where fish position themselves throughout the day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Tybee Island inshore fishing, and they're perfect for families because they fight hard, grow big, and bite consistently year-round. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-27 inches in these waters, with slot fish providing excellent table fare and oversized bulls offering memorable fights. Redfish love shallow grass flats and oyster bars, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. They're aggressive feeders that will smash live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures, making them ideal targets for kids who want steady action. What makes redfish special is their predictability—experienced captains like Trey know exactly where to find them based on tide, time of day, and season.
Speckled trout are the other mainstay species that keeps families coming back to these waters. These beautiful spotted fish typically range from 14-20 inches, with occasional larger specimens pushing 3-4 pounds. Trout are structure-oriented fish that love oyster bars, grass edges, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're particularly active during cooler months and early morning hours, making them perfect for half-day family trips. Speckled trout have soft mouths, so they require a gentler touch when fighting, which teaches kids important angling skills. They're also excellent eating, with sweet, flaky white meat that even picky eaters usually love.
Flounder might not fight as hard as redfish, but they're fascinating fish that kids love catching because of their unique flat body and both eyes on one side. These bottom-dwellers typically run 15-18 inches in local waters, with some reaching 20+ inches and several pounds. Flounder are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to strike passing prey. They're most active during moving tides around creek mouths, channels, and sandy bottom areas. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the technique—you're essentially hunting for fish you can't see, using bottom rigs and live bait to tempt them out of hiding. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with firm, mild white meat that's perfect for families.
This world-class family fishing experience sells out regularly because Captain Trey has figured out the perfect formula for successful trips. The 4-hour timeframe keeps kids engaged without wearing them out, the inshore waters stay calm and comfortable, and the target species bite consistently enough to keep everyone happy. You're not just booking a fishing trip—you're investing in family memories and maybe discovering a new passion for your kids. The fact that all gear is included means you can try before investing in your own equipment. With Tybee Island's renowned year-round fishing and a captain who genuinely cares about your family's experience, this trip delivers the kind of value that keeps customers coming back season after season.
Get ready to fish the productive inshore waters around Tybee Island aboard Catalina Charter's reliable 24-foot Pathfinder bay boat. This 2016 vessel gives your family plenty of room to move around while targeting redfish, trout, and flounder in the shallow coastal waters. The 300HP Yamaha engine gets you to the fishing spots quickly, cruising at up to 50 knots when conditions allow. Built specifically for bay fishing, this boat handles the tidal creeks and grass flats where these species love to hang out. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's room for everyone to cast without getting tangled up. The open layout makes it easy for Captain Trey to move around and help with baiting hooks, netting fish, and teaching proper techniques. Whether you're working live shrimp around oyster bars for redfish or bouncing jigs along sandy bottoms for flounder, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting in the calm, protected waters that make Tybee Island such a great family fishing destination.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the stars of our inshore waters, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds - perfect eating size with firm, mild flesh. They cruise super shallow flats in 1-4 feet, often with backs exposed, feeding around oyster bars and grass edges. Spring through fall are peak times, especially during moving tides when they're actively hunting crabs and shrimp. What makes reds special is their power - they'll pull drag and make long runs that get everyone excited. Kids love spotting their tails and backs in skinny water. My go-to tip: look for nervous water or muds where they're stirring up bottom while feeding. Cast ahead of moving fish, not right on top of them.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are bread-and-butter fish around Tybee's grass flats and shallow waters. Most average 14-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though bigger "gator trout" over 5 pounds prowl deeper channels. They love 2-6 feet of water over grass beds, especially during moving tides in spring and fall. Early morning and evening are prime time when they're actively feeding on shrimp and baitfish. What guests love most is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for families. They're scrappy fighters that make great starter fish for kids too. Here's a local tip: when you find one trout, stick around - they school up, so where there's one, there's usually more waiting nearby.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese striped "convict fish" are some of the smartest inshore species you'll target around Tybee. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, with the occasional monster pushing 10+ pounds. They hang tight to any structure - dock pilings, bridges, rocks - feeding on barnacles and crabs with those famous human-like teeth. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around moving water. What makes them special? They're notorious bait thieves that'll test your patience, but the reward is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My local trick: get your bait right against the structure and feel for those subtle taps - when you think you have a bite, you probably missed two already. Set the hook hard when you feel weight.
Tybee Island