Beginner Inshore Fishing at St. Simons Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain Drew Jones provides hands-on instruction for beginnersAll fishing gear included with live bait techniques
Looking to get started with inshore fishing but not sure where to begin? Captain Drew Jones at Unreel Charters GA has designed the perfect half-day trip for beginners who want to learn the ropes while actually catching fish. St. Simons Island's protected marshes and intercoastal waterways offer some of Georgia's most productive inshore fishing, and this charter puts you right in the middle of it all. You'll spend your morning targeting redfish, sea trout, flounder, sheepshead, and even tarpon when they're running, all while learning techniques that'll serve you well for years to come.
This isn't your typical "throw a line and hope" kind of trip. Captain Drew focuses on teaching proper technique while keeping things relaxed and fun. You'll launch from St. Simons and head into the maze of creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats that make this area so special. The boat holds up to two anglers, which means plenty of personal attention and coaching throughout the day. Don't worry about bringing tackle - everything's provided, from rods and reels to terminal gear and fresh live bait. The captain will show you how to read the water, spot fish, and present your bait naturally. By the end of the trip, you'll understand why so many anglers fall in love with inshore fishing along Georgia's coast.
Captain Drew runs his charters primarily with live bait, which is hands-down the most effective way to target inshore species here. You'll learn to work with live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet depending on what the fish are eating. The key is presentation - keeping that bait lively and putting it where the fish expect to find it. Around oyster bars, you'll learn to work the edges where redfish cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Over grass flats, the captain will show you how to adjust your weight and leader length to keep bait in the strike zone. The intercoastal waterway offers different opportunities, with deeper drop-offs and structure that hold sheepshead and bigger trout. Each spot requires slightly different tactics, and that's what makes this learning experience so valuable.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Simons inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in these waters and fight like they're twice that size. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and marsh edges where they hunt for blue crabs and shrimp. Redfish are perfect for beginners because they're aggressive feeders and not too finicky about presentation. When you hook one, get ready for that classic head-shaking, drag-screaming fight that makes these fish so addictive to target.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout, are another customer favorite that'll test your skills differently than reds. These fish are more delicate fighters but make up for it with their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare. They hang around grass flats and drop-offs, particularly during warmer months. Trout in the 14-20 inch range are common, with occasional gator trout pushing 24+ inches showing up to make your day. They're great for learning proper drag settings since their soft mouths require a gentler touch.
Flounder might be the trickiest species you'll target, but they're worth the effort. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Captain Drew knows the best spots - usually around creek mouths and channel edges where current brings baitfish. Flounder require patience and a different technique, often needing you to let them run with the bait before setting the hook. The 16-20 inch fish we typically catch here are phenomenal eating.
Sheepshead are the "convict fish" of inshore waters, named for their black and white stripes. They're structure-oriented fish that hang around oyster bars, pilings, and dock posts feeding on barnacles and small crabs. These fish have excellent eyesight and can be picky eaters, making them perfect for honing your skills. When you do hook one, their initial run is surprisingly strong for their size. Most sheepshead here run 12-16 inches with occasional slabs hitting 18+ inches.
Tarpon are the wildcards of this fishery - when they show up, everything else takes a backseat. These silver giants roll through St. Simons waters typically from late spring through early fall, following baitfish migrations. Even juvenile tarpon in the 20-40 pound range will give you the fight of a lifetime, with their famous jumping ability on full display. Captain Drew knows the seasonal patterns and will adjust tactics when these fish are around, switching to heavier gear and focusing on areas where tarpon typically travel.
This beginner-focused inshore fishing charter offers everything you need to get started in one of fishing's most rewarding disciplines. Captain Drew's patient teaching style, combined with St. Simons Island's world-class inshore fishery, creates the perfect learning environment. You'll come away with practical skills, confidence on the water, and hopefully some great fish stories to share. The half-day format works perfectly for beginners without being overwhelming, and the two-angler limit ensures personalized instruction throughout the trip. Whether you're looking to start a new hobby or just want to experience Georgia's renowned inshore fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Book your spot with Unreel Charters GA and discover why so many anglers consider St. Simons Island their home base for inshore fishing adventures.
Navigate St. Simons Island's prime fishing waters aboard this reliable 19' Carolina Skiff with Captain Drew Jones. This center console boat gives you easy access to casting spots while the 70HP Suzuki engine gets you to the fish quickly and quietly through Georgia's marshes and intercoastal waterways. Built for inshore action, it's equipped with a fish finder to locate Redfish, Sea Trout, and Flounder hiding in the shallows. The open deck design lets you move freely while learning proper techniques, whether you're working live bait around oyster bars or casting toward grass lines. With space for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to practice your skills without feeling crowded. This boat handles the shallow waters perfectly, taking you where bigger vessels can't go to target Sheepshead around structure and Tarpon in the channels.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 18-35 inches and famous for those black spots near the tail. They cruise our shallow flats in 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs showing, and love oyster bars and marsh edges. Fall is peak season when they school up, but we catch them year-round. Reds are aggressive feeders that'll hit topwater lures, soft plastics, and live bait with authority. The smaller "slot" fish make great table fare with firm, mild meat. Look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows. My go-to technique is a gold spoon worked fast over grass flats - the flash drives them crazy.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are perfect for beginners - they hit artificial lures readily and fight well for their 14-24 inch size. You'll find them over grass flats in 2-6 feet of water, especially during moving tides around dawn and dusk. They're most active in spring through fall when water temps are right. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. These fish respond well to soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp under popping corks. Best local trick is to work the grass edges during falling tides when baitfish get pushed out of the shallows and trout are waiting to ambush them.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese "convict fish" with their black and white stripes are some of the best eating you'll find inshore, running 2-8 pounds around our docks and pilings. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs off structures, so you'll find them tight to any hard bottom or pier. Spring is prime time when they spawn, but we catch them year-round. Sheepshead are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering before committing. The key is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and setting the hook hard the instant you feel weight. Fish as close to structure as possible without getting hung up.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings show up in our Georgia waters during summer months, typically running 80-150 pounds and putting on aerial shows you won't forget. Tarpon love the deeper channels and passes around our barrier islands, especially during moving tides. They're catch-and-release only since the meat's full of bones, but the fight is what draws anglers from around the world. When hooked, they'll jump clean out of the water multiple times trying to throw the hook. We target them with live bait like mullet or crabs on the bottom near structure. Pro tip: bow to the fish when it jumps - drop your rod tip toward the water to give slack and prevent the line from snapping during those wild leaps.
Lobotes SurinamensisThese odd-shaped fish are like floating leaves that suddenly come alive when they strike. Running 2-13 pounds with their distinctive three-lobed tail, they're masters of disguise, often floating on their sides near debris or structure. Summer through early fall is best when they migrate through our waters. Tripletail are sight-fishing targets that require stealth - they spook easily but eat well when approached right. The meat rivals grouper or snapper, making them a prized catch. Look for them around floating grass lines, buoys, or channel markers. Cast past them and work your bait slowly into their zone - they're ambush predators that like to study their prey before striking.
St Simons Island