CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF ADVENTURE
It's been quite an adventure! For the last 30 years SouthEast Adventure (SEA) has shared the beautiful waterways of the Golden Isles with thousands of residents and visitors. Michael says, “It took a lot of support from our community to make it from our humble beginnings, a trailer with 8 kayaks in the driveway, to a couple of shops and a lot of kayaks!” He recalls their very first trip: “We had to make a last-minute drive to the port of Baltimore to pick up kayaks in a snowstorm and received our paddles and camping gear just in time to meet the Forest People outdoor club from Alfred University of upstate New York for a week descending the Altamaha River.” Since then, it’s been non-stop!
michael gowen
After a year of tours, SEA opened their flagship store in the pier village on St. Simons Island with outdoor gear including tents, stoves, backpacks, and a huge selection of maps (pre-internet!). They supplied many kids with bookbags every year before school went back in and rode the popularity of North Face fleece jackets among other trends (Crocs anyone?!).
With the opening of their Brunswick shop and the increasing popularity of kayaking as a sport and recreational activity, they introduced hundreds of folks to the fun of kayak ownership, something they’re still doing to this day, with customer reviews like this one:
Thank you so much for your help selecting a kayak yesterday. I went out for a paddle this morning off the beach; it was so peaceful and beautiful. I explored several of the sand bars and found lots of amazing invertebrates as the black skimmers and least terns flew overhead. I am so happy that I finally own a kayak, I don't know why I waited this long! Thanks again! ~ Sarah
As the internet changed shopping patterns and the kayak industry matured, the '08 recession, storms, and more recently, the pandemic, threw everyone for loops. Through it all there have been lots of adjustments, and Michael and the SEA team are proud to have persevered. Their Brunswick shop dock has been the site of some of their most rewarding activities, introducing hundreds of kids from various organizations to the fun of kayaking and the beauty of our marshes, particularly the Special Olympics and many trips with the Boys and Girls Club.
Kayak tours with friendly and knowledgeable guides departing from Village Creek Landing and various other locations plus special trips up and down the rivers and through the marshes and swamps have attracted clients of all ages from near and far. Once again, client testimonials speak for themselves, and there are dozens and dozens from over the years on various platforms.
Wow, thanks for the photos!! We had a great time and enjoyed the tour. Seeing everything from the water gave us a new perspective for the area. ~ Lisa and Paul
Super experience marsh kayaking! Took the 3-hour outgoing-tide kayak tour with guides Lee, Mike, and Drew. Very informative, relaxing, and fun. The rudder sea kayaks were easy to maneuver, and the guides took great care of everyone. Were fortunate enough to hang out with feeding dolphins for awhile, hear and see lots of birds, and stretch our legs on the beach. Would definitely recommend!! ~ MamaM
Kayaks aren’t the only way that SEA helps people explore and experience our local waterways, they do boat tours too! The special touch of providing photos from the excursions is something that SEA’s clients particularly love.
Great afternoon on the water! A group of us took the 3-hour boat tour with Michael. It was awesome! He is super friendly and informative. We not only got to see the beauty of the coastal waterway but learned a lot about the history of this area. The boat has a canopy to provide a break from the sun and guests are allowed to bring snacks and refreshments. Not only did we get to see wildlife, amazing variety of birds and dolphins, but didn't have to worry about capturing it with your camera. Michael takes professional photos and emails them to you! Great experience! ~ smittymom
Michael and the SEA crew say they would have never met and made so many amazing friends and customers if it hadn't been for SouthEast Adventure. They've been blessed with great friends, family, and an amazing group of guides and coworkers. Thanks to everyone who’s shared the adventures with SEA! As Robby would put it, “Durn! It’s hard to believe it's been 30 years!” Visit their website at southeastadventure.com to book your own tour or do some shopping.
FISH OR CUT BAIT
Another St. Simons Island Pier Village institution when it comes to getting folks out fishing is St. Simons Bait & Tackle. This family-owned bait and tackle shop is a small business that has been providing high-quality fishing equipment and a carefully curated selection of bait to customers for 20 years. Many visitors also know them as the home of entertaining “shop bird,” Mr. Byrd. Now located at 202 Mallery Street and open from 7:00 a.m. daily, the shop is run by a family of avid fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts who are passionate about helping others enjoy their time on the water. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting started, they have everything you need to enjoy a successful day of fishing. They also rent rods and reels and have started offering fun and educational instruction sessions for kids on things like crabbing, seine netting, and sea turtles.
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They are currently wrapping up their inaugural summer-long Youth Angler Extravaganza, which ran from March 1st through September 2nd, so you’ll want to check out their Facebook and Instagram pages (@ssibaitshop) to see who takes home top honors for what they landed in categories that include whiting, trout, flounder, sheepshead, black drum, red fish, Southern stingray, and blue crab. Their website at ssibaitandtackle.com is an excellent resource for daily tide tables, a link to the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division to obtain fishing licenses and permits, and also hosts the SSI Sharkin page for our local shark fishermen. It’s a great spot to just stop in and chat to learn more about the fishing in the area if you’re down by pier.
FLY AWAY
Benjamin Galland
If Fly Fishing is your thing, you’ll want to head to downtown Brunswick to On The Fly Outfitters (OTF), as they’ve earned a solid reputation for being "The Fly Shop of the Golden Isles since 2017." Step inside and you’ll immediately see why!
OTF offers everything you need to fly fish Georgia and the Golden Isles. Whether you are pursuing freshwater species such as trout, bass or bluegill to saltwater species such as redfish, speckled trout, tarpon or tripletail. OTF has a curated selection of freshwater and saltwater flies, fly rods, fly reels, and accessories to quickly get you on the water. They also sell apparel for men and women, offering high-quality brands that include Howler Brothers, Free Fly Apparel, Duck Camp, Orvis, Skinny Water Culture and more.
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An Authorized Orvis Dealer, OTF provides many excellent education opportunities including Fly Casting Clinics, Fly Tying Classes and Orvis® Fly Fishing 101 Classes, in addition to hosting annual Fly Fishing Film Festivals. They host a popular FREE Fly Tying Night at the fly shop every 3rd Thursday of the month AND Fly Tying signature events with local professional fly tiers at Silver Bluff Brewing just down the road from the shop.
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Contact On The Fly Outfitters to schedule a fly fishing charter with one of their local captains. There's no better way to explore the coast of the Golden Isles than with an experienced captain pursuing Georgia's redfish or any other target species.
For details about OTF events, online shopping, and to schedule charters, visit ontheflyoutfitters.co.
