Solo Inshore Fishing at St. Simons Island
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Solo inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Drew Jones provides expert guidance and quality gearFully customized day trip experience for $400
Looking for a fishing trip that's all about you? This private inshore charter with Captain Drew Jones puts you front and center on some of Georgia's most productive waters. At $400 for a full day, you're getting exclusive access to prime fishing spots around St. Simons Island without having to share the boat or compete for the best casting positions. Whether you're working on perfecting your technique or just want to unwind with your rod in hand, this personalized adventure delivers the kind of fishing experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Captain Drew knows these coastal waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put that knowledge to work finding where the fish are biting. You'll launch from St. Simons and work the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths that hold the area's best inshore action. The boat comes fully rigged with quality tackle, so you can focus on fishing instead of gear prep. Since it's just you and the captain, expect plenty of one-on-one instruction if you want it, or the freedom to fish your own style if you prefer. The Georgia coast serves up consistent action, especially around the structure-rich areas where redfish cruise and trout stage up waiting for baitfish.
This charter runs light tackle that's perfect for the inshore game. You'll be using spinning reels spooled with braided line and fluorocarbon leaders – the standard setup that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites while still having enough backbone to turn fish away from structure. Captain Drew switches between live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what the fish are showing him. Shrimp under popping corks work magic when the bite is finicky, while soft plastics on jig heads let you cover water and target specific structure. The shallow draft boat gets you into skinny water where bigger boats can't follow, opening up honey holes that see less pressure and hold more willing fish.
Redfish are the bread and butter of St. Simons inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18 to 25 inches in the shallow flats and creeks, with plenty of slot-sized fish that put up memorable fights. They're most active during moving tides when they push up onto the flats to feed, especially early morning and late afternoon. What makes reds so special here is their willingness to eat – whether you're flipping a live shrimp near an oyster bar or working a gold spoon through a grass flat, they'll usually let you know they're around. The thrill comes from watching them blow up on topwater lures in skinny water or feeling that distinctive headshake when they grab your bait.
Speckled trout bring a different kind of excitement to the mix. These spotted beauties typically run 14 to 18 inches around St. Simons, with occasional fish pushing into the 20-inch range that really get your attention. They're more finicky than reds but incredibly rewarding when you dial in the pattern. Trout love grass flats with good water movement, and they respond well to both live bait presentations and artificials worked with a subtle action. Spring and fall offer the most consistent trout fishing, when water temperatures hit that sweet spot and baitfish are active. The key with specks is matching your retrieve to their mood – sometimes they want it fast and aggressive, other times you need to barely twitch your lure to get them interested.
Sheepshead add some variety to the day with their unique feeding habits and surprising fight for their size. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure like dock pilings, bridge supports, and oyster bars where they pick at barnacles and crabs with their human-like teeth. They're notorious bait stealers, so hooking one feels like a real accomplishment. Sheepshead fishing requires patience and a light touch – you're basically trying to outsmart a fish that's evolved to be incredibly careful about what it puts in its mouth. When you do connect, they make strong runs and use their flat sides to leverage against you. Most fish run 12 to 16 inches, with larger specimens showing up during cooler months when they school up for their spawning runs.
This solo charter experience offers something you can't get on a crowded head boat or shared trip – complete focus on your fishing goals. Captain Drew's local expertise combined with St. Simons Island's year-round fishery creates opportunities whether you're visiting in summer or planning a winter getaway. The $400 investment gets you a full day of guided fishing with all gear included, plus the kind of personalized instruction that can take your inshore game to the next level. These private slots fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. Ready to experience Georgia's premier inshore fishing? Contact Unreel Charters GA today and get your trip on the books.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, ranging from schoolie 18-inchers up to bull reds pushing 40+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. You can spot them year-round here, but spring and fall offer the hottest action when they're feeding heavily. What makes reds special is that distinctive black spot near the tail and their copper-bronze color that gives them their name. They're bulldogs once hooked, making long runs and giving you a real workout. Plus they're great eating with mild, sweet meat. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to structure. I like throwing topwater plugs early morning or soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Watch for nervous water and tailing fish - that's your money shot right there.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most consistent inshore targets, running 14-20 inches with plenty of 3-5 pounders mixed in. They cruise grass flats and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water, especially around moving tides. Best fishing happens spring through fall, with cooler months pushing them into deeper holes and channels. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn and dusk - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also excellent table fare with delicate white meat that's perfect for a fish fry. The meat is softer than other inshore species, so don't overcook it. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic shrimp or paddle tail slowly along the grass edges during moving water. Focus on areas where clean water meets stained - that's where they ambush baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are tough fighters with human-like teeth that crush barnacles and crabs around docks and pilings. You'll typically catch them weighing 2-6 pounds, though 10+ pounders show up near jetties and bridge structures. They love hanging tight to cover in 8-20 feet of water, especially around St. Simons' many docks and oyster bars. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their unique look - those black stripes earned them the nickname "convict fish" - plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the trick: use fiddler crabs or shrimp, get your bait right against the structure, and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale nibble. They're notorious bait thieves, so stay sharp and keep your drag tight.
St Simons Island