Family Redfish & Trout Trip - Tybee Island
Looking for a fishing trip that actually works for the whole family? Captain Trey Wagner's got you covered with this top-rated half-day adventure in Tybee Island's protected inshore waters. This isn't some white-knuckle offshore run – we're talking calm, fishable flats where kids can actually hold their own rod without getting seasick. Four hours is the sweet spot for keeping everyone engaged without wearing out the little ones, and with just two spots on the boat, you're getting personal attention that makes all the difference. Whether you're teaching your kid to cast for the first time or just want to catch dinner without the drama, this trip delivers exactly what busy families need.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Trey runs a relaxed operation that puts families first. You'll launch right from Tybee and work the marsh creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats where redfish, trout, and flounder hang out year-round. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the protection – even on breezy days, you're tucked behind barrier islands where the water stays manageable. Trey provides all the tackle, which means you don't need to figure out what jigs work best or worry about losing expensive gear when junior gets excited about a hookup. The boat's set up for comfort with seating that actually works for shorter passengers, and there's plenty of shade when the Georgia sun gets serious. This is hands-on fishing where you'll learn to read the water, spot redfish tailing in skinny water, and work structure where trout stack up during moving tides.
Gear & Techniques
We're fishing light tackle here – 7-foot spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound braid that gives kids the backbone to fight fish without overpowering them. Captain Trey keeps it simple with proven setups: popping corks with live shrimp for trout, jig heads with paddle tails for redfish, and Carolina rigs with mud minnows when flounder are the target. The technique depends on what's biting, but expect to work shallow structure around dock pilings, cast to oyster bars during the falling tide, and maybe sight-fish for reds if conditions line up right. Trey's good at reading his crew – if the kids are into action fishing, he'll put you on schooling trout. If they want to see something bigger, he'll target slot reds around the creek mouths where they ambush bait. The learning curve is gentle, and by the end of the trip, even first-timers will understand how tides move fish and why certain spots produce.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Sheepshead are the most finicky fish you'll target on this trip, but they're worth the effort. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure year-round, especially dock pilings and oyster bars where they pick off barnacles and crabs with their human-like teeth. They average 2-4 pounds around Tybee, but 6+ pounders show up regularly in cooler months. What makes sheepshead exciting is the bite – they're notorious bait stealers that require perfect timing to hook. Kids love seeing their weird teeth and learning why locals call them "convict fish." Peak season runs from November through March when they school up for spawning, but you'll find them any time of year if you know where to look.
Sea trout are your bread-and-butter species here, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are aggressive feeders that hit everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic jigs worked along grass edges. Most of what you'll catch runs 14-18 inches – perfect eating size – but 20+ inch "gator trout" are always possible, especially during spring and fall transitions. Trout are forgiving fish that give kids plenty of chances to learn proper hooksets and fight technique. They school up in predictable spots during moving tides, often around creek mouths and drop-offs where Captain Trey can put you on consistent action. Summer and fall are prime time, but Tybee's mild winters keep trout active almost year-round.
Redfish are the star of the show for many families, and Tybee Island's marsh system is renowned redfish habitat. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in the slot, but oversized bulls over 30 inches patrol deeper holes and creek bends. What makes reds special is their attitude – they eat aggressively, fight hard, and often cruise skinny water where you can spot them before casting. Kids get pumped watching a red's back fin cutting through two feet of water, and the visual aspect makes it easier to understand when and where to cast. Redfish bite year-round here, but fall brings the best combination of numbers and size as they feed heavily before winter. They're also forgiving fighters that don't jump, so smaller anglers can actually land them without losing fish to acrobatics.
Time to Book Your Spot
This family-friendly trip checks all the boxes – experienced captain, calm water, consistent fishing, and a timeline that works for real families. With only two spots available, Captain Trey can focus on what matters: teaching technique, finding fish, and making sure everyone has fun. You'll come away with genuine fishing skills, hopefully some dinner, and definitely some stories. The Georgia coast fishes well year-round, so whether you're planning a summer vacation or looking for something different during the holidays, this half-day adventure delivers. Book now with Catalina Charters and get your family on the water with one of Tybee Island's most trusted guides.