5.0(2 Reviews)Inshore Fishing at Saint Simons Island
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting redfish and speckled troutExpert Captain Drew Jones provides instruction for all skill levelsAll fishing gear included with artificial bait techniques
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.
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.
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.
"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
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
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard this reliable 19-foot Carolina Skiff, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish and sea trout in Saint Simons Island's productive inshore waters. Built with a center console design, this 2006 vessel gives you and one fishing partner plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and move around the deck comfortably. The 70HP Suzuki outboard delivers smooth, quiet power to get you quickly between hot spots without spooking the fish. Captain Drew has equipped the boat with a quality fish finder to locate structure and baitfish where redfish and specks like to hang out. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows or working grass flats for sea trout, this nimble skiff handles beautifully in the skinny water that makes Georgia's coast so special. The boat's shallow draft opens up creeks and backwater areas that bigger vessels can't reach, putting you right where the fish are feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here - bronze-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. They typically run 20-30 inches and fight like they're twice that size. These fish love super shallow water, often cruising flats so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass edges, and creek mouths throughout the year, though fall and spring offer peak action. What guests love about reds is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll pull drag and test your tackle. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. The spot near their tail confuses predators into attacking the wrong end, giving them an escape advantage. My go-to trick: look for nervous water and "waking" fish on the flats during incoming tides around structure.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds typically. These silvery fish with black spots love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with good current flow around Saint Simons. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and evening. Spring through fall provides the best fishing, though you can catch them year-round in deeper holes during winter. What makes them popular is they hit artificial lures aggressively and put up a solid fight for their size. Plus, they're fantastic eating - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key is working your lure with a popping action to mimic wounded baitfish. During cold snaps, look for them schooled up in deeper creek channels where the water stays warmer.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish that run 15-18 inches on average, though some reach over 30 inches. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they're masters of camouflage - changing color to match sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries around Saint Simons, especially over soft bottoms. They feed on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're moving between inshore and offshore areas. What makes them fun to target is their sneaky nature - they're like underwater ninjas waiting to strike. The meat is excellent eating too, white and flaky. Pro tip: fish slow and keep your bait right on the bottom. They won't chase it up in the water column.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of inshore fishing - absolute giants that average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, though they can hit 8 feet and 280 pounds. These prehistoric fish have been around 125 million years and show it with their raw power and acrobatics. Around Saint Simons, you'll find them in shallow coastal waters, channels, and around structure during their migration from late spring through fall. When hooked, they explode from the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart racing. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're not great table fare - too many bones and high mercury. The fight is what draws people - pure strength combined with aerial displays. Here's the key: when they jump, bow to the king - lower your rod tip to give them slack, or they'll throw the hook on you every time.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of the most unique fish we target - they look like floating debris until they strike. These chunky, olive-colored fish average 18 inches and 2-13 pounds, but can reach 3 feet and over 40 pounds. They're masters of disguise, lying on their sides near weed lines, buoys, or any floating structure to ambush prey. You'll find them from surface down to about 200 feet, but sight-casting to surface fish is the real thrill. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active in our waters. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight despite their bulky build, plus they taste fantastic - many compare them to snapper or grouper. Be careful of those razor-sharp gill plates when handling. The secret is being stealthy - cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily but strike hard when fooled.
5.0 out of 5.0Drew is a great guy and always gets us on the fish. Highly recommended. It's always a blast fishing with Unreel Charters.
Great charter! I highly recommend Capt. Drew! He put us on the fish! Fantastic fishing guide service!
St Simons Island