Master Advanced Inshore Techniques at St Simons Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain Drew Jones provides expert guidance and all fishing gearSmall group experience limited to two seasoned anglers
If you're looking to test your skills against Georgia's coastal gamefish, Captain Drew Jones and Unreel Charters GA have got you covered. This half-day inshore charter around St. Simons Island puts you right in the thick of some of the Southeast's most productive fishing waters. We're talking about targeting redfish, sea trout, flounder, sheepshead, and when conditions align, maybe even a tarpon or two. This isn't a beginner's hand-holding trip – it's designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to dial in their technique while chasing quality fish in prime habitat.
Captain Drew takes a maximum of two anglers per trip, which means you get personalized attention without fighting for the best spots on deck. You'll be working the maze of marshes, creeks, and intercostal waterways that make this area so productive. The boat launches from St. Simons, and within minutes you're into water that holds fish year-round. Drew knows these waters like the back of his hand – where the current breaks just right, which oyster bars hold the biggest reds, and when to switch from one technique to another based on what the fish are telling you. All your tackle is provided, so you can focus on fishing rather than gear management. The captain brings quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle that can handle everything from slot redfish to bull drum.
This charter runs on live bait, which is hands-down the most effective way to consistently catch quality inshore fish in these Georgia waters. You'll be working with shrimp, finger mullet, mud minnows, and whatever else is running thick that day. Captain Drew doesn't just put bait on your hook and wish you luck – he's constantly adjusting presentations, reading water, and helping you understand why certain spots produce and others don't. You might be sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water one minute, then working a deep creek bend for big trout the next. The techniques vary based on tides, weather, and what the fish want, but expect to use everything from popping corks to free-lined baits. The boat is rigged for serious fishing, with a shallow draft that gets you into places bigger boats can't reach and all the electronics needed to mark fish and structure.
Southern flounder around St. Simons are absolute door mats when you find them, and these waters consistently produce fish in the 3-5 pound range with occasional giants pushing 7-8 pounds. They're most active during moving tides, especially around creek mouths and along drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Fall and early winter are prime time, when they're staging for their offshore spawn and feeding heavily. What makes catching flounder so satisfying is their subtle bite – you need to stay connected to your bait and recognize that gentle tap before they mouth it and move off. Once hooked, they fight with surprising strength for a flatfish, making long runs and testing your drag.
Tarpon are the wildcards that can turn a good day into an epic one. These silver kings show up in Georgia waters from late spring through early fall, with peak action typically in June and July. St. Simons' intercostal waters see both resident fish in the 30-80 pound range and massive migrants that can exceed 150 pounds. When you hook a tarpon, everything changes – they explode from the water in a series of jumps that'll get your heart racing, then make blistering runs that test every knot and connection. Even experienced anglers get humbled by tarpon, which is exactly why landing one feels so rewarding.
Sea trout are your bread-and-butter species here, with good numbers of keeper fish and regular shots at gator trout over 20 inches. They're most active around grass flats, creek mouths, and anywhere current brings baitfish through. Spring and fall offer the best action, though you can catch trout year-round in these waters. What's great about trout fishing is their aggressive nature – when they're feeding, they'll hammer live shrimp or baitfish with authority. The bigger specimens are usually more solitary and require precise presentations, but when you connect with a 4-5 pound speckled trout, their initial run and head-shaking fight makes for some serious fun.
Redfish are arguably the most sought-after species in Georgia's inshore waters, and for good reason. St. Simons' marshes and flats hold both slot-sized fish perfect for the table and oversized bulls that provide tackle-testing fights. Reds are year-round residents, though their behavior changes with seasons – summer finds them in deeper holes and around structure, while fall and winter bring sight-fishing opportunities as they push into shallow water to feed. What makes redfish so appealing is their power and determination once hooked. They don't jump like tarpon, but they'll bulldoze toward the nearest oyster bar or piling, testing your ability to turn them before they cut you off.
Tripletail might be the most unique species you'll encounter on this charter. These odd-looking fish are ambush predators that float near structure, crab traps, or debris, often looking like floating leaves until they strike. They're most common in summer and early fall around St. Simons, particularly near the shipping channel and around any vertical structure. Tripletail require a stealthy approach and precise bait placement, but their explosive strike and acrobatic fight make them a favorite among experienced anglers. They're also excellent table fare, with firm white meat that rivals any offshore species.
This charter fills up quick, especially during peak fishing seasons when the bite is hot and weather windows are prime. Captain Drew's reputation for putting experienced anglers on quality fish has built a solid following of repeat customers who book their next
Step aboard this reliable 19' Carolina Skiff and get ready to work the productive waters around St. Simons Island. This 2006 center console is powered by a dependable 70HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish without burning through fuel. The boat's shallow draft design is perfect for slipping into those back-country marshes and grass flats where redfish love to cruise. You'll have the fish finder to mark structure and schools, while the open layout gives you plenty of room to fight fish and move around the deck. Built to handle the Georgia coast's inshore waters, this skiff puts you right where the action is – whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water or working live bait around oyster bars for trout and sheepshead. The boat comfortably fishes up to 2 anglers, so you'll have space to cast and land fish without crowding each other.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers of our flats, easily spotted by their black eyespots near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of slot-sized fish perfect for dinner. They thrive in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass beds, and marsh edges year-round, though fall brings the best action. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll make long runs and test your drag. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with sweet, firm meat. These fish aren't spooky like some species, making them great for newer anglers. Pro tip: when you see their backs or tails in shallow water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly - they can't resist a well-presented shrimp or crab.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spotted sides. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs throughout our marshes and sounds. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides around dawn and dusk. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're fantastic eating with delicate white meat. They school up in winter in deeper holes but can be caught year-round. The trick with trout is using a slow, steady retrieve with soft plastics or popping corks with live shrimp - they have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish lie buried in sandy or muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. They average 15-18 inches but can reach over 2 feet. You'll find them in our shallow bays, marshes, and around structure where they hunt shrimp and small fish. Fall and winter are prime times when they move through our waters heading offshore. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability and excellent table fare - they're some of the best eating fish we target. The key to landing flounder is fishing slow along the bottom with live bait or jigs, and being patient when they grab your offering since they often mouth it before committing.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - prehistoric fish that can live 50+ years and reach 6-8 feet, though most we see run 4-5 feet and 80-100 pounds. They cruise our marshes, channels, and nearshore waters from late spring through fall when water temps warm up. What draws anglers is their legendary jumping ability and powerful runs - they'll leap repeatedly trying to throw the hook. While they're not great eating due to bony meat, the fight is pure adrenaline. We typically find them rolling on the surface or following bait schools. My best advice: when one jumps, bow to the king by dropping your rod tip toward the fish to keep tension off the line during their acrobatics.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - odd-looking fish that float on their sides near debris, mimicking dead leaves. They average 2-5 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds, with a distinctive body shape that gives them three apparent tails. Summer through early fall is prime time when they cruise weed lines and around floating structure in 5-20 feet of water. Anglers love them because they're surprisingly acrobatic for such a chunky fish, and they taste similar to grouper or snapper. The challenge is spotting them before they spot you - they're easily spooked. The secret is sight-casting: once you see one floating, cast well beyond it and slowly work your bait or fly back toward them, letting them ambush it naturally.
St Simons Island