Alabama Fly Fishing Guides | Half Day Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private fly fishing trips for maximum 2 guests onlyMorning and afternoon departure times available dailyInshore fishing with personalized guide attention throughout
Looking for a top-rated fly fishing experience that won't eat up your whole day? Our half-day trips with 6Deep Fishing Charters give you the perfect taste of Alabama's renowned inshore waters without the full commitment. We keep things intimate with just 2 anglers max, so you're getting personalized attention whether you're learning to lay down your first decent cast or fine-tuning technique you've been working on for years. Morning trips kick off at 6:30 AM when the fish are actively feeding, or if you're not an early riser, our afternoon departures at 1:30 PM can be just as productive. Either way, you're looking at prime time on some of Alabama's best fishing grounds.
This isn't your typical crowded charter boat situation. With only 2 spots available, you're getting a world-class, private guide experience that adapts to your skill level and preferences. Whether you're a complete fly fishing newbie or someone who's been working the flats for decades, we tailor every aspect of the trip to what you want to accomplish. The Alabama Gulf Coast and Mobile Bay system offer incredible diversity - from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper channels where flounder ambush baitfish. Our guides know these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on fish while teaching you to read water, spot feeding activity, and present flies that get eaten. Start times can shift based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns, so we always call the night before to confirm details and make sure conditions are dialed in for success.
We provide all the fly gear you'll need, from 8-weight rods perfect for inshore species to a full selection of proven patterns tied specifically for Alabama waters. You'll learn proper saltwater fly presentation techniques like the strip strike, how to handle running fish on fly tackle, and reading water to spot cruising redfish or laid-up flounder. Our guides will have you casting crab patterns to tailing reds in the shallows, working streamer flies along oyster bars for black drum, and presenting shrimp imitations to flounder holding near structure. If you're bringing your own gear, an 8 or 9-weight rod with floating line and a selection of weighted flies works great. We fish everything from ultra-shallow flats where you're sight-casting to individual fish, to slightly deeper areas where you're covering water with different retrieves. The technique varies based on species, tides, and conditions, but our guides excel at breaking down exactly what's happening so you understand the why behind every cast.
Black drum are absolute customer favorites around here, and for good reason. These bruisers average 15-30 pounds and fight like freight trains once hooked on fly tackle. They cruise oyster bars and shallow flats year-round in Alabama, with peak action during spring and fall months. What makes them special is how they feed - you'll often see their backs and tails as they root around in shallow water crushing crabs and shellfish. Landing a big black drum on an 8-weight is a workout that'll have you grinning for days.
Summer flounder provide some of the most technical fly fishing you'll find inshore. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand near channel edges, points, and structure waiting to ambush prey. They're most active during warmer months, typically May through September, and require precise presentations with weighted flies that get down to their level quickly. A 20-inch flounder might not sound massive, but they're incredibly strong and make blistering runs that'll test your drag and knots.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Alabama inshore fly fishing, and honestly, there's nothing quite like watching a 25-inch red crush your fly in 18 inches of water. These copper-colored fighters are available year-round, with fall months producing some of the best action as they school up for their spawning runs. Reds are perfect for fly fishing because they're aggressive, eat a variety of patterns, and put up sustained fights that showcase everything great about saltwater fly fishing.
Crevalle jack bring pure chaos to your fly rod. These silver bullets show up in schools and attack baitfish with reckless abandon, often creating surface explosions that'll get your heart racing. When the jacks are blitzing, it's fast-action fishing where technique takes a backseat to just getting your fly into the mayhem. They hit hard, run fast, and don't give up easy - perfect for anglers who want non-stop action.
Red snapper opportunities depend on federal seasons and regulations, but when they're open, these bottom dwellers provide a different challenge entirely. Found around structure in deeper water, snapper require getting flies down quickly and dealing with strong, head-shaking fights. They're excellent table fare too, making them a favorite target when regulations allow.
Half-day trips book up fast, especially during peak seasons when word gets around about hot fishing. With only 2 anglers per trip, availability fills quickly once local fishing reports start buzzing. The personalized attention and flexibility to fish morning or afternoon makes this a trending choice for visiting anglers and locals alike. Remember to call your guide before finalizing your booking - this lets us discuss current conditions, what flies are working, and any specific goals you have for the trip. Whether you're looking to learn fly fishing basics or target a specific species you've been wanting to catch on the long rod, this half-day format gives you quality time on the water without the full-day commitment. Book your spot and get ready to see why Alabama's inshore fly fishing keeps anglers coming back trip after trip.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our 18-foot Xplore Delta poling skiff, perfectly designed for Alabama's inshore waters. This shallow-draft boat gets you into those hard-to-reach spots where the fish are hiding – think grass flats, oyster bars, and backwater creeks that bigger boats can't access. The elevated poling platform gives your guide the perfect vantage point to spot fish and quietly pole you into position for that perfect cast. With room for just 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your fly rod without bumping elbows. The stable platform makes it easy to sight-cast to redfish cruising the shallows or work structure for speckled trout. Whether you're a seasoned fly angler or new to the sport, this skiff puts you in prime position to make the most of Alabama's coastal fishery. The shallow water capability means we can follow the fish wherever they're feeding.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Alabama's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. You'll find them cruising shallow muddy flats and oyster beds where they use those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. These fish are built like tanks and will test your drag system with long, stubborn runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. For fly fishing, get your weighted flies like Merkin crabs right on the bottom - they won't come up to eat. Here's a local trick: when you see muddy water on calm days, that's often drum rooting around feeding, so cast right into that mud cloud.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of Alabama waters - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll bend your rod and test your tackle. These brassy-gold speedsters typically run 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but the big ones can hit 60+ pounds. Find them around structure, grass beds, or chasing baitfish in both shallow and deeper water. They're year-round targets but really fire up when baitfish are thick. Look for diving birds - jacks push schools to the surface while birds attack from above. The fight is what guests remember most - these fish just don't quit, making long runs and staying deep. While they're not great table fare, they're pure adrenaline on light tackle. Here's the key: cast past the school and retrieve fast with silver spoons or streamers. Some say you can smell watermelon when you get close to feeding schools - sounds weird, but I've noticed it too.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of offshore fishing - beautiful crimson fish that live around structure in 30-200+ feet of water. Most run 1-2 feet long and under 10 pounds, but the big girls can push 35+ pounds and live over 20 years. They hang tight to reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom where they ambush baitfish. Summer months during spawning season offer the hottest action, especially May through October. Guests love snapper fishing because they fight hard, diving straight for structure to break you off, and they're absolutely delicious - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. Getting them up from deep water is a real arm workout. For fly fishing, work chum to bring them up, then hit them with Clouser minnows or deceivers on 11-13 weight gear. Local tip: use heavy tackle and get them up fast - the longer they fight down deep, the more likely they'll wrap you around structure and snap your line.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the perfect inshore target - bronze-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail. Most Alabama reds run 20-30 inches and put up a serious scrap in shallow water. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water, sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. These fish are pure fun on fly tackle - they'll eat topwater poppers, Clouser minnows, and crab patterns with aggressive strikes. The smaller slot fish are fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat. What really gets guests fired up is sight fishing to tailing reds in skinny water. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or slight surface disturbances on calm mornings - that's usually feeding redfish even when you can't see them clearly.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are fascinating flatfish that live life sideways on sandy bottoms, perfectly camouflaged until they ambush passing baitfish. Most run 15-20 inches, but the big females can push 26 pounds and live over 15 years. You'll find them in shallow bays and estuaries where they bury in sand with just their eyes showing. Fall fishing from September through November is your best bet when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. These are some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They hit live minnows and sea worms aggressively, but you need to be patient since they often mouth the bait before committing. Pro tip: use circle hooks and give them a few extra seconds after you feel the bite. They like to grab prey sideways and need time to turn it around before swallowing.
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