Half Day Afternoon Fishing Trip in Gulf Shores
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour guided inshore fishing adventure with expert captain aboard Shearwater 25'.Accommodates up to 6 guests with all gear provided and catch kept.Features GPS, fishfinder, live bait well and wireless trolling motor.
Looking for some quality time on the water without burning a whole day? Captain Shawn Slattery's afternoon fishing trips out of Gulf Shores hit that sweet spot perfectly. You'll spend four solid hours working the inshore waters aboard his well-equipped Shearwater 25', targeting some of Alabama's most sought-after gamefish. This isn't one of those cattle-boat operations – with just you and one other angler max, you get personalized attention and prime fishing spots that bigger boats can't access. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone just getting into saltwater fishing, Captain Shawn tailors the trip to match your skill level and keeps things relaxed while maximizing your chances at hooking up.
Your adventure kicks off from Buchanan Place, where you'll meet Captain Shawn and get the rundown on the day's game plan. The Shearwater 25' comes loaded with everything serious anglers appreciate – GPS and fishfinder to locate structure and baitfish, a live well stocked with fresh bait, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to shallow flats and grass beds. The afternoon timing works in your favor too, as many species become more active as the day cools down and tidal movements create feeding opportunities. You'll cover a mix of fishing scenarios depending on conditions – maybe working oyster bars for sheepshead, drifting grass flats for trout, or sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water. Captain Shawn reads the water like a book and adjusts tactics on the fly, whether that means switching from live shrimp to artificials or moving from one productive spot to another. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks and drinks.
Inshore fishing around Gulf Shores requires finesse and local knowledge, both of which Captain Shawn delivers in spades. The shallow bays, grass flats, and oyster reefs demand light to medium tackle that can handle everything from finicky trout to bulldogging black drum. You'll likely fish with spinning gear spooled with 10-15 pound test, perfect for the structure-rich environment without spooking wary fish. Techniques vary based on target species and conditions – bottom fishing with circle hooks and live or cut bait for drum and sheepshead, free-lining live shrimp or finger mullet for trout and redfish, or working soft plastics and spoons around grass edges and drop-offs. The wireless trolling motor is a game-changer for positioning, especially when sight-fishing or working shallow areas where engine noise would scatter fish. Captain Shawn's eagle eye for reading water conditions, bird activity, and subtle signs like nervous bait or swirls helps put you in the right place at the right time. He'll coach you through proper hook-setting, fighting techniques, and how to handle different species once they hit the boat.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in these waters, lying camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim overhead. These flatfish typically range from 14-20 inches in Gulf Shores waters, with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds that'll test your drag system. Fall and early winter offer the best action as flounder stage for their offshore spawning migration, feeding aggressively before the journey. What makes them so addictive to target is their explosive strike and the challenge of locating them – Captain Shawn knows the specific depth changes, current breaks, and bottom compositions where they hold. Black Drum provide the heavy artillery of inshore fishing, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized juveniles to monster bulls exceeding 40 pounds. These copper-colored bruisers love oyster bars and structure where they crush crabs and shellfish with pharyngeal teeth that sound like castanets underwater. Peak action typically occurs during cooler months when larger fish move into shallower water.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as the "convict fish" both for their distinctive black stripes and their tendency to steal bait with surgical precision. These structure-loving fish congregate around pilings, oyster bars, and rocky areas, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles, crabs, and shellfish. Landing sheepshead requires patience and quick reflexes – they'll tap your bait gently before committing, and you need to set the hook at the first solid thump. Sea Trout, also called speckled trout, represent the bread-and-butter species of Gulf Coast inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots and canine teeth provide consistent action throughout the year, with peak activity during spring and fall transitions. They're ambush feeders that lurk around grass beds, drop-offs, and shell bars, making explosive strikes on live bait or well-presented artificials. The 15-20 inch fish common in these waters fight hard with impressive gill-rattling jumps.
Redfish stand as the crown jewel of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, combining impressive size, incredible fighting ability, and stunning copper-bronze coloration with distinctive black spots near the tail. These drum family members range from slot-sized fish around 20-27 inches up to oversized bulls that can exceed 40 inches and 30+ pounds. What makes reds so special is their versatility – they feed in everything from ankle-deep flats to deeper channels, eating everything from live shrimp and crabs to cut bait and artificial lures. Sight-fishing to tailing or cruising redfish in shallow water represents the pinnacle of inshore angling, requiring stealth, accurate casting, and nerves of steel when a big red turns to investigate your offering.
Captain Shawn's afternoon trips deliver exactly what serious anglers want – quality fishing with personalized service in some of Alabama's most productive inshore waters. The four-hour window
The Shearwater 25' is your ticket to prime fishing waters around Gulf Shores. This solid fishing platform handles inshore runs with ease, getting you to the hot spots where the fish are biting. Captain Shawn has this boat dialed in perfectly - the fishfinder helps locate schools while the wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure without spooking your targets. The live bait well keeps your shrimp and pinfish lively, and there's plenty of deck space for fighting fish without getting tangled up. GPS navigation means more time with lines in the water and less time searching. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh on the ride back to the dock. Whether you're working the grass flats for redfish or hitting deeper channels for trout, this 25-footer cuts through Gulf Shores chop smoothly and gets you back comfortable after a productive afternoon on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavy hitters of our inshore waters, and they'll give you a fight you won't forget. These fish commonly range from 5-30 pounds around Gulf Shores, with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds. They love hanging around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is when they really shine - that's spawning season when they school up and become much easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the power these fish pack and their excellent eating quality in the smaller sizes (keep them under 15 pounds for the best taste). They're also great for beginners since they're not overly finicky. Here's my local trick: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and don't be afraid to get right up in those shallow oyster bars where others won't go. The bigger fish are often in water so thin you can see their backs.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Gulf Shores inshore fishing, and once you hook into one, you'll understand why. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-27 inches in our shallow waters, with their signature black spots near the tail. They thrive in 1-4 feet of water around grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding aggressively. What guests love most is their powerful fight and willingness to hit topwater lures, creating explosive strikes you'll remember forever. Plus, they're fantastic eating when kept within slot limits. The trick here in Gulf Shores is sight fishing the flats on calm mornings - look for their bronze backs or tails waving in the shallows. Cast ahead of cruising fish and work your lure slowly. A gold spoon or topwater plug works magic when they're up and active.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them, are a Gulf Shores favorite for good reason. These fish typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional 4-5 pounders that really get your heart pumping. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with sandy bottoms in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime seasons, especially during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for all skill levels and provide consistent action. My go-to technique: work a soft plastic shrimp or paddle tail over grass beds early morning or late evening. The key is a slow, steady retrieve just above the grass tops. When they hit, don't horse them - their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you're too aggressive.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Gulf Shores with their black and white stripes, and they're some of the tastiest fish in these waters. Most run 1-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we occasionally hook into 8-10 pounders that'll surprise you. They hang tight to structure - docks, pilings, reefs, anywhere barnacles grow thick. These fish have human-like teeth for crushing shellfish, which makes them picky eaters and notorious bait thieves. Winter through early spring is peak season when they're most active and feeding heavily before spawn. What makes them special is their sweet, mild white meat that rivals snapper. They're also a challenge to catch, which keeps things interesting. My best tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp and get your bait right against the structure. When you feel them pecking at the bait, resist setting the hook too early - wait for a solid pull, then drive it home hard.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of the most unique fish you'll encounter in our Gulf Shores waters. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, though we've pulled some beauties over 30 inches. They're masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Both eyes sit on their left side, giving them that distinctive look. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our area heading to deeper water to spawn. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also fun fighters once hooked. My tip: when drift fishing over sandy bottom, use live shrimp or small mullet and fish it right on the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook immediately - let them take it and run a bit first.
Gulf Shores, AL