5.0(6 Reviews)Half Day Fishing at Fort Morgan
5.0(6 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Target redfish, speckled trout, mackerel, and blacktip sharksCruise Mobile Bay viewing dolphins, ships, and historic Fort MorganComplimentary fish cleaning and packaging service included
Looking for the perfect blend of history, scenery, and solid fishing action? This half-day guided trip out of Fort Morgan delivers all three in spades. You'll cruise through Mobile Bay's productive waters while soaking in views of dolphins, working oil rigs, massive cargo ships, and the Civil War-era Fort Morgan itself. Captain Rick has been working these waters for decades, and he knows exactly where the fish hold up throughout the seasons. With a maximum of just two anglers, you get personal attention and plenty of elbow room to fight your fish properly.
This isn't your typical party boat experience. You'll launch from Fort Morgan and head into Mobile Bay's diverse fishing zones, where shallow grass flats meet deeper channels and structure. The trip covers a lot of ground, giving you shots at multiple species throughout the half-day. Captain Rick reads the water conditions, tides, and seasonal patterns to put you on active fish. The boat stays comfortable for two anglers, so whether you're bringing your spouse, buddy, or teenage kid, everyone gets quality fishing time. Plus, Rick handles all the cleaning and packaging at the end, so you walk away with fresh fillets ready for the dinner table.
Captain Rick provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need for this mixed-bag approach. Depending on conditions and target species, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for redfish, slow-trolling for Spanish mackerel, or using cut bait for blacktip sharks. The tackle gets matched to the fish – lighter spinning gear for trout and reds, heavier setups when sharks are the target. You'll learn different retrieval techniques and how to read strikes from various species. Rick's got the local knowledge to switch tactics based on what's biting that day, whether it's working grass beds, channel edges, or around structure.
"I asked Rick how long he's been fishing when we left the dock, and he said 50 years—his experience really shows. He's a true professional, and our 3 boys had an amazing time. Rick knew exactly where to go and which bait to use in each spot. We hooked multiple fish several times and had an amazing time. We had plenty of fish to cook for the rest of our trip and created memories we'll cherish forever. Thanks, Rick!" - Travis
"This was our second time fishing with Captain Rick, and he didn't disappoint! Within 5 minutes, both my wife and I had "fish on!" Two and a half hours later, we had our limit of keepers (plus plenty of fun catching and releasing undersized ones). Rick knows the bay like the back of his hand and will always get you on the fish. He's a great guy—polite, helpful, and a pleasure to fish with. Highly recommend!" - Ken
"Captain Rick was fantastic! He got us on the fish and was incredibly accommodating to the 7-year-old we had with us. Even when I got sick, he took great care of me 😂😂😂. He was also a true gentleman with the two young ladies on board. I'd highly recommend him to anyone visiting Gulf Shores for a fun and memorable fishing experience!" - Jared
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mobile Bay fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20 to 35 inches in these waters, with the occasional bull red pushing the tape past 40 inches. They're year-round residents that love working the shallow grass flats during high tide and dropping into deeper water when it gets low. Redfish hit hard and make blistering runs once hooked, often trying to wrap you around structure or bury their heads in the grass. They're excellent table fare and fight like they mean it – plus they're pretty forgiving for newer anglers since they're not overly finicky about presentation.
Spanish mackerel show up in good numbers during the warmer months, typically from late spring through fall. These silver rockets rarely exceed 3 pounds, but they make up for size with pure speed and aggression. They'll absolutely smoke a trolled spoon or live bait, and the initial run will test your drag settings. Spanish mackerel school up around bait pods, so when you find one, there are usually plenty more nearby. They're fantastic eating when prepared fresh, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying. Kids especially love catching them because the action stays fast once you locate a school.
Blacktip sharks bring the heavyweight action to this trip. These athletic predators commonly reach 3 to 5 feet in length around Fort Morgan, with bigger specimens always possible. They're most active during warmer months and often cruise the shallower waters where they're accessible to light tackle fishing. When a blacktip takes your bait, you'll know it immediately – they're famous for their acrobatic jumps and powerful runs that can peel line off your reel in seconds. They're catch-and-release only in most cases, but the fight alone makes them worth targeting. Blacktips also tend to travel in small groups, so multiple hookups during a single stop aren't uncommon.
This half-day Fort Morgan charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want – consistent action, knowledgeable guidance, and shots at multiple species without the commitment of a full day trip. Captain Rick's 50 years of local experience shows in every aspect, from bait selection to reading water conditions to putting you on fish when others are struggling. The two-angler limit means personalized attention and plenty of room to work. With free fish cleaning included, you're walking away with dinner and stories worth telling. Fort Morgan's unique location gives you access to both bay and near-shore fishing opportunities, all while enjoying some of Alabama's most scenic and historic waters.
Our 2015 Kenner bay boat is perfectly rigged for chasing redfish, sharks, and mackerel around Fort Morgan's productive waters. This 24-footer runs smooth with its reliable 150HP Yamaha, cruising at 30 knots to get you on the fish fast. The boat comfortably fishes up to 6 anglers, though we keep groups at 2 for this trip to maximize your fishing time and action. You'll appreciate the fish finder for marking schools and structure, plus GPS and radar to navigate Mobile Bay safely in any conditions. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on spooky redfish without spooking them, while the icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. After we're done fishing the flats and deeper waters around the historic fort, there's plenty of deck space to move around and fight those hard-pulling blacktip sharks. The boat's shallow draft opens up all the best redfish spots that bigger boats can't reach.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks bring the adrenaline rush that gets people hooked on shark fishing. These guys average 4-5 feet but can push 6+ feet, and they're famous for their aerial acrobatics - they'll jump clean out of the water when hooked. You'll find them patrolling in 30-100 feet of water around reefs and structure, especially during warmer months when they're most active. What makes blacktips special is their personality - they're aggressive feeders but also surprisingly acrobatic fighters. The black-tipped fins make them easy to identify, and their powerful runs will test your gear. While we practice catch and release for sharks, the fight alone makes it worthwhile. My go-to technique is using fresh cut mackerel or herring on a circle hook with heavy tackle. Start chumming early - these sharks rely heavily on scent to find food.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most reliable targets here in Fort Morgan's shallow waters. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches and love hanging around oyster bars, grass flats, and old structures in 1-4 feet of water. You'll spot them by their distinctive black spots near the tail and that bronze coloring that fades to white underneath. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes redfish so popular is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and make long runs. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when you see them tailing in super shallow water, cast past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily if you land right on top of them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and keep things exciting out here. These silver rockets typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-4 pounds, but their blistering runs make them feel much bigger. Look for them around structure in open water - they school up near the surface and you can often spot birds diving on the bait they're chasing. Spring through early fall is prime time, especially on warmer days when they move closer to shore. What guests love about mackerel fishing is the fast action - when you find a school, you can catch them back-to-back. They're also fantastic eating with firm, mild meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. Pro tip: use a wire leader or they'll bite right through your line with those razor-sharp teeth. Small spoons and jigs work great when they're feeding.
5.0 out of 5.0Highly recommended!
This was our second time fishing with Captain Rick, and he didn’t disappoint! Within 5 minutes, both my wife and I had "fish on!" ...
I booked this trip because my husband is a "girl dad" who’s always caught up in dance conventions and tennis with the girls and do...
I asked Rick how long he’s been fishing when we left the dock, and he said 50 years—his experience really shows. He’s a true profe...
Captain Rick was fantastic! He got us on the fish and was incredibly accommodating to the 7-year-old we had with us. Even when I g...
Been on many trips with Captain Rick. Always a good time and lots of fish. Very knowledgeable and hospitable! 10/10 recommended fo...
Fort Morgan