Inshore Fishing at Saint Simons Island
Saint Simons Island offers some of Georgia's best inshore fishing, and Captain Drew Jones with Unreel Charters GA knows exactly where to find the action. This 4-hour guided trip targets redfish, speckled trout, and other popular inshore species using artificial baits in the productive waters surrounding this barrier island. Whether you're a weekend warrior or picking up a rod for the first time, Drew's expert guidance and local knowledge will put you on fish while you soak up the coastal scenery. With all gear provided and personalized instruction throughout the trip, you'll focus on what matters most – landing fish and having a blast on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
Your half-day adventure starts in the pristine marshes and grass flats around Saint Simons Island, where shallow water fishing creates perfect conditions for sight fishing and working structure. Captain Drew runs a tight ship but keeps the atmosphere relaxed and fun, making sure everyone gets hands-on time with the gear. The boat holds just two anglers, so you'll get plenty of personal attention and coaching throughout the trip. Drew's approach focuses on teaching proper techniques while putting you on productive water, whether that's working oyster bars for redfish or hitting grass beds where speckled trout love to ambush baitfish. The Georgia coast's extensive marsh system provides endless fishing opportunities, and Drew knows how to read the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to maximize your chances of success.
Techniques and Gear Setup
This trip runs exclusively with artificial baits, which means you'll learn to work soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons that consistently produce fish in these waters. Drew provides all the tackle, from light spinning gear perfect for inshore work to a selection of proven lures that match the local forage base. You'll master techniques like working a paddle tail through grass beds, walking the dog with topwater baits during early morning feeds, and bouncing jigs along oyster bars where redfish root for crabs and shrimp. The artificial-only approach not only keeps things sporting but also teaches you skills that translate to fishing anywhere along the Southeast coast. Drew's instruction covers everything from proper retrieve speeds to reading water conditions, so you'll leave with knowledge that makes you a better angler long after the trip ends.
What Anglers Are Saying
"Drew is a great guy and always gets us on the fish. Highly recommended. It's always a blast fishing with Unreel Charters." - Samuel
"Great charter! I highly recommend Capt. Drew! He put us on the fish! Fantastic fishing guide service!" - Clint
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish are the crown jewel of Saint Simons Island inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers provide some of the most exciting action you'll find in shallow water. Reds typically range from 18 to 30 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish that fight like freight trains once hooked. They're most active during moving tides when they cruise oyster bars and marsh edges looking for crabs and baitfish. Spring through fall offers the most consistent redfish action, though winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat artificial baits and their tendency to feed in skinny water where you can actually see them before making your cast.
Sea trout, locally called speckled trout or just "specks," are another staple that keeps anglers coming back to these waters. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 20 inches and are absolute suckers for soft plastic baits worked over grass beds. Specks are most active during cooler months from October through March, when they school up in deeper holes and along channel edges. They're known for their delicate mouths and acrobatic jumps, making them a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts. The key to consistent speckled trout fishing is understanding their seasonal movements and matching your presentation to their mood – sometimes they want a fast-moving bait, other times a slow, subtle approach works better.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise in these waters, lying flat against sandy bottoms and striking with lightning speed when prey passes overhead. These flatfish typically range from 16 to 24 inches and provide excellent table fare for anglers looking to take home a meal. Flounder fishing peaks during spring and fall migrations when they move between inshore and offshore waters. They're often caught as bonus fish while targeting other species, but experienced guides like Drew know specific structure and tide combinations that consistently produce doormat flounder. Their ambush feeding style makes them perfect targets for slow-moving soft plastics bumped along the bottom.
Tarpon bring big-game excitement to the inshore scene, especially during summer months when juvenile tarpon invade the marshes and creeks around Saint Simons Island. These silver kings typically range from 20 to 60 pounds in the inshore waters, though occasional giants make appearances. Tarpon are notorious for their aerial displays and bulldogging runs that test both angler skill and tackle limits. They're most active during warm weather and moving tides, often rolling on the surface as they feed on baitfish schools. Landing a tarpon on light tackle is considered a badge of honor among inshore anglers, and the Georgia coast offers some of the most reliable juvenile tarpon fishing on the East Coast.
Tripletail are the oddball species that adds excitement to any inshore trip, known for their unique appearance and excellent fighting ability. These fish typically weigh 3 to 8 pounds and are famous for floating on their sides near structure, mimicking debris until unsuspecting prey comes within range. Tripletail season runs from spring through early fall, with peak action during summer months around crab trap buoys, channel markers, and floating grass lines. They're considered one of the best eating fish in the ocean and provide a unique challenge since they're often spotted before being cast to. Their habit of following baits without comm