Inshore Fishing for Seasoned Anglers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain Drew Jones provides expert guidance and all gearSmall group experience limited to two anglers maximum
Captain Drew Jones knows where the fish bite around St. Simons Island, and he's ready to put you on them. This half-day inshore charter isn't for beginners looking to learn the basics – it's built for anglers who already know their way around a rod and want to dial in their techniques on some of Georgia's most productive waters. You'll work the marshes and intercoastal waterways where redfish cruise the grass lines and sea trout stack up in the channels. With all gear provided and live bait in the well, you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat.
This charter runs tight with just two anglers max, so you're getting Captain Drew's full attention without fighting for prime casting spots. The boat launches into St. Simons' maze of tidal creeks and salt marshes where structure holds fish year-round. You'll be sight fishing shallow flats one minute, then working deeper channel edges the next. The captain reads the tides like a book and positions you where fish are feeding, not just where they might be hanging out. Expect to cover water efficiently, make precision casts to visible targets, and work live bait presentations that trigger strikes from pressured fish. This isn't a leisurely drift – it's focused fishing designed to maximize your time and improve your catch rate.
Captain Drew runs quality tackle that can handle everything from slot redfish to jumping tarpon. The boat stays stocked with live shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows depending on what's working best for current conditions. You'll learn how to rig baits for different presentations – free-lining shrimp over oyster bars, working mullet under popping corks, and bumping bottom with minnows in deeper holes. The captain adjusts leader lengths and hook sizes based on target species and water clarity. Circle hooks are standard for live bait fishing, and you'll pick up techniques for setting the hook properly without pulling bait away from finicky fish. Spinning gear handles most situations, but the boat carries conventional reels when you need more stopping power on larger fish.
Redfish run thick through St. Simons' marshes, with fish ranging from aggressive 18-inchers up to bull reds pushing 40 pounds. They feed heavily on incoming tides, crushing live shrimp worked along oyster bars and grass edges. Spring through fall produces the most consistent action, but winter fishing can be exceptional when you find schools in deeper creeks. These fish fight dirty – making powerful runs and trying to wrap you around every piling or oyster cluster they can find. Sea trout stack up in channels and around structure, especially during cooler months when they school tightly. They're particular about bait presentation, often requiring lighter tackle and subtle movements to trigger strikes. The 15 to 20-inch class provides steady action, with occasional gator trout over 24 inches that'll test your drag settings.
Southern flounder lie in ambush along channel drops and around bridge pilings, waiting for bait to drift within striking distance. They hit hard but fight smart, staying deep and using their flat profile to create maximum resistance. Spring and fall migrations produce the best numbers, with keeper-sized fish over 15 inches showing up regularly. Tarpon arrive with warm weather, rolling in channels and around bait schools. Even smaller tarpon in the 20 to 60-pound range provide world-class fights with their aerial displays and unstoppable runs. They're particular about bait presentation and water temperature, making them a challenging target that rewards skill and persistence. Tripletail show up around structure and floating debris, often visible on the surface where sight fishing techniques produce explosive strikes.
St. Simons Island delivers top-rated inshore fishing for anglers ready to step up their game. Captain Drew's local knowledge and focus on productive techniques make this charter a customer favorite among serious fishermen. The boat stays busy during peak seasons, so early booking ensures you get the dates that work best for your schedule. Whether you're targeting specific species or just want to fish prime waters with quality gear, this half-day trip provides the focused approach that seasoned anglers appreciate. The combination of skilled guidance, live bait fishing, and St. Simons' renowned fishery creates conditions for memorable catches and improved techniques you'll use long after the trip ends.
Your fishing platform for this guided inshore adventure is a reliable 19-foot Carolina Skiff with center console design, perfect for navigating St. Simons Island's shallow marshes and intercoastal waters. This 2006 boat runs on a smooth 70HP Suzuki engine that gets you to productive fishing spots quickly while staying quiet enough not to spook the redfish and sea trout. The center console layout gives you and one other angler plenty of casting room from bow to stern, plus easy access to all sides when fighting fish. Captain Drew has this skiff rigged with a quality fish finder to locate structure and baitfish where the big ones hide. The shallow draft design lets you slip into backwater creeks and oyster bars where tarpon roll and sheepshead feed. Built tough for Georgia's salt marshes, this Carolina Skiff handles choppy water but rides shallow enough to reach those honey holes other boats can't touch.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers with their distinctive black spots typically range from 18-27 inches in the slot, but we also see plenty of oversized "bull" reds that'll test your drag. They love shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, though they bite year-round. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and excellent table fare when kept in the slot. They're also forgiving to beginners but challenging enough for experts. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in shallow water, cast well beyond them and work your bait back slowly - they spook easily but once hooked, they're yours.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most reliable inshore targets. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-20 inches and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. You'll find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and near creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and evening being prime time. What makes them popular is they're both fun to catch and great on the table - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also cooperative biters, making them ideal for building confidence. The trick with specks is to keep your bait moving slowly just above the grass. A popping cork with live shrimp works magic, but don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are soft and you'll pull right through.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. You'll find them in 2-15 feet of water around grass flats, creek mouths, and dock pilings throughout our local marshes. They typically run 15-18 inches, but we see plenty of "doormat" sized fish over 20 inches. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawning run. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're also fun to target because you never know when that subtle tap is a keeper or just a short fish. My tip: use a Carolina rig with live finger mullet and fish it slow along channel edges where the current meets structure.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters, and when one of these prehistoric fish rolls near the boat, your heart rate jumps. We see fish ranging from 20-pound juveniles up to monsters over 100 pounds cruising our marsh edges and deeper channels. Summer months bring the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on mullet and menhaden. What draws anglers back is their raw power - they'll jump, run, and test every bit of your skill. While they're not table fare, the fight alone makes them worth targeting. These fish have been around for 125 million years, so they've learned a few tricks. Here's what works: when you hook up, keep steady pressure but bow to their jumps to avoid them throwing the hook on those spectacular aerial displays.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our more unique targets - these oddly-shaped fish look like they have three tails due to their extended dorsal and anal fins. They average 2-8 pounds but can reach 20-plus pounds, and they're surprisingly acrobatic for such a chunky fish. You'll spot them floating near the surface around structure, weed lines, or even debris, often lying on their side mimicking floating vegetation. Summer through early fall is peak season when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes them exciting is the sight-fishing aspect and their excellent table fare - firm, white meat that rivals snapper or grouper. They're also relatively rare catches, making them trophy fish for many anglers. Here's the key: approach quietly and cast well past them, then work your bait slowly into their strike zone - they spook easily but once they commit, they hit hard.
St Simons Island