Reel 'Em In: Midway Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing targets Grey Triggerfish, Redfish, and Sea TroutSmall group experience accommodates maximum two guestsCoastal Georgia waters offer diverse species opportunities
Look, I've been guiding anglers around Midway's waters for years, and I can tell you straight up - this coastal Georgia hotspot is where serious inshore fishing happens. When you book with Coastal Ga Fishing, you're not just getting a boat ride. You're getting access to some of the most productive inshore waters on the Southeast coast, where redfish cruise the grass flats and Spanish mackerel tear through bait balls like there's no tomorrow. We keep our trips intimate with just 2 anglers max, so you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference between coming home with fish stories and coming home with fish.
Your day starts early when we meet at the dock in Midway, coffee still steaming in our cups as we load up the gear. This isn't some crowded party boat situation - it's just you, your fishing partner, and me working the prime inshore spots where the fish actually live. We'll be targeting the marshes, creek mouths, and nearshore structure where gamefish ambush their prey. The boat's rigged with quality tackle, and I've got everything from light spinning gear for finicky sea trout to heavier setups for when we hook into a bull redfish that wants to drag us into the next county. Expect to move around - we're not anchor fishermen here. We're constantly reading the water, watching for bait, and positioning ourselves where the action is hottest.
We fish smart, not hard. Depending on the tide and what's biting, we'll use everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial lures that mimic the baitfish these predators can't resist. When we're working the grass flats for redfish, we'll use weedless spoons and soft plastics that won't hang up in the vegetation. For Spanish mackerel, we'll troll small spoons or cast jigs near structure where they're feeding. The triggerfish around the nearshore reefs respond best to cut bait on the bottom, while sheepshead require a more finesse approach with fiddler crabs or barnacles. I'll teach you how to read the water - where to look for nervous bait, how to spot redfish tailing in shallow water, and why certain tide phases turn on the bite for different species.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of our inshore waters, and they show up in numbers from late spring through fall. These silver bullets average 1-3 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. They school up around bait balls and structure, and when you find them, it's game on. The bite is fast and aggressive - blink and you'll miss the strike. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic on the dinner table.
Sheepshead are the master thieves of the inshore world, famous for stealing bait with surgical precision. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around structure - docks, pilings, rock piles - anywhere they can find their favorite foods like barnacles and crabs. They're most active during cooler months and require serious patience and skill. A 3-pound sheepshead fights harder than most fish twice its size, and landing one feels like a real accomplishment. They're also incredible eating, with sweet, flaky white meat.
Grey Triggerfish are the bulldogs of the bottom, with powerful jaws and an attitude to match. They inhabit nearshore reefs and hard bottom areas, typically in 20-60 feet of water. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they respond best to cut bait fished right on the bottom. These fish are built like tanks and will test your drag system. At 2-4 pounds on average, they provide steady action and excellent table fare.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of Georgia inshore fishing. They love grass flats, creek mouths, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Spring and fall offer the best action, with fish ranging from 14-inch keeper size up to trophy "gator" trout over 5 pounds. They're visual feeders with excellent eyesight, making them perfect targets for both live bait and artificial lures. The bite can be subtle, so staying connected to your lure is crucial.
Redfish are what most anglers come to Georgia waters to catch. These copper-colored bruisers inhabit everything from skinny water flats to deeper channels and oyster bars. They're year-round residents but peak activity occurs during spring and fall migrations. Slot-size fish run 18-27 inches, but we also encounter oversized bulls that can stretch your tackle to its limits. Redfish are ambush predators with incredible power, capable of long runs that will test your reflexes and your drag system.
Great Barracuda add an element of surprise to our trips, especially around nearshore structure and reefs. These toothy predators can reach 20-30 pounds and are built for speed and aggression. They're opportunistic hunters that will strike trolled lures or live bait, and their initial runs are absolutely explosive. Seeing a 4-foot barracuda launch itself out of the water is something you won't forget. They're most active during warmer months and provide heart-stopping action when everything else might be slow.
Here's the bottom line - Georgia's inshore waters don't give up their fish to just anyone. You need local knowledge, the right tackle, and someone who understands how these species behave in these specific waters. With Coastal Ga Fishing, you're getting all three. We're not running a tourist operation here - we're serious about putting you on fish an
Ready to chase some serious fish around Midway's waters? Our Carolina skiffs are built for getting into those shallow spots where the big redfish like to hang out. At 20 feet, she's the perfect size for you and a buddy to work the grass flats and oyster bars without spooking the fish. The fish finder will show you exactly what's swimming below while the GPS keeps you on track to the hot spots. Got an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus VHF radio so you can stay connected. When the fog rolls in, that radar becomes your best friend for safe navigation back to the dock. Whether you're targeting speckled trout in the shallows or hunting sheepshead around the structure, this boat handles the inshore game like a champ. She's equipped for whatever Midway's waters throw at you.
Sphyraena BarracudaThese toothy missiles can reach 3-6 feet and pack serious speed - up to 35 mph in short bursts. You'll find them around reefs, grass beds, and drop-offs, often near the surface hunting in small groups. Spring through fall brings the most consistent action, especially when baitfish are thick. Why target them? They hit like freight trains, make blistering runs, and provide some of the most visual fishing you'll experience. While not great eating due to potential toxins, the fight is what counts. They're curious fish that'll often follow lures before striking. Here's what works: use wire leaders (those razor teeth will cut anything else), troll bright spoons or tubes, and when one follows your lure, speed up - that sudden acceleration often triggers the strike.
Balistes CapriscusThese tough customers average 12-17 inches but can hit 24 inches and 13 pounds. They hang around hard bottom, reefs, and ledges in 30-180 feet of water, using their beak-like mouths to crush crabs and sea urchins. Summer and fall offer the best bite when they're most active. What's the draw? They're scrappy fighters with personality - they'll actually charge at baits and get territorial around structure. While not the prettiest fish, they're decent eating with firm, white meat. The trick with triggers is appealing to their competitive nature. Drop squid chunks near other fish like snapper, and when the triggers see competition for food, they'll rush in to steal it. Use heavy sinkers to get down quick, keep tension on the line, and reel fast once you feel that first nibble.
Sciaenops OcellatusThese bronze beauties with their signature black spots are what inshore fishing is all about. They typically run 20-35 inches in our shallow waters, cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best action, but they bite year-round. What's the attraction? They're aggressive feeders that'll crush topwater baits, fight hard in shallow water, and make excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. You'll often see their backs out of the water as they tail in super shallow spots. My best advice: look for nervous water and mullet schools - that's where the reds are feeding. Use gold spoons or topwater plugs early and late, and don't be afraid to fish water so shallow you can almost walk in it.
Salmo TruttaAlso called speckled trout, these spotted beauties average 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good structure, especially during cooler months when they school in deeper channels. Spring and fall bring consistent action, but night fishing in summer can be magic. What makes them special? They're willing biters that hit topwater plugs with explosive strikes, plus they're excellent table fare - tender, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The key is being gentle since their soft mouths tear easily. For consistent success, work the grass edges during moving tides with soft plastics on light jigheads. Keep your drag loose and use a landing net - too many good trout are lost at the boat when anglers try to lip them like bass.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThe "convict fish" with their black stripes and human-like teeth are some of the smartest fish you'll target. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, living around docks, bridges, jetties, and any structure with barnacles. Winter through early spring is prime time when they spawn and school up. What draws folks to them? They're master bait thieves that test your skills, plus they're fantastic eating - sweet, white meat that rivals any fish. The challenge is half the fun since they'll steal your bait without you feeling it. Here's my go-to trick: use fiddler crabs or shrimp on a small circle hook, get tight to the structure, and when you feel that subtle weight, set the hook hard immediately. Their crushing jaws mean hesitation equals empty hooks.
Scomberomorus MaculatusThese silver speedsters average 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds, but their lightning-fast runs make them feel much bigger. You'll find them in schools near the surface around structures, reefs, and even close to shore when water warms up. Spring through fall brings the best action, especially during warmer months when they move into shallower waters. What makes them special? They hit hard, run fast, and put up a great fight on light tackle. Plus, they're excellent eating - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. My local tip: when you see birds diving, get there fast. Spanish mackerel often feed in the same baitfish schools, and once you find them, work quickly with small spoons or live bait since they can disappear as fast as they showed up.
Midway, GA