Half Day Afternoon Fishing Trip in Gulf Shores
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour guided inshore fishing adventure with Captain Shawn SlatteryFully equipped boat accommodates up to six guests with all gear providedGuests keep their catch while exploring productive Gulf Shores waters
Looking for a solid afternoon on the water without burning a whole day? Captain Shawn Slattery's got you covered with his half-day inshore fishing trips out of Gulf Shores. You'll spend four quality hours chasing some of Alabama's best fish aboard the Shearwater 25' – a boat that's built for comfort and loaded with all the right gear. This isn't some cattle-boat operation either; Captain Shawn keeps it intimate with just two anglers max, so you're getting personalized attention whether you're a weekend warrior or picking up a rod for the first time. The afternoon bite can be absolutely killer in these waters, and with departure from 16833 Buchanan Pl, you'll be fishing productive spots while other folks are still stuck in traffic.
Captain Shawn runs a tight ship that's all about putting fish in the cooler. The Shearwater 25' comes dialed in with GPS and fishfinder so there's no guessing where the fish are holding. You've got a live bait well keeping your bait fresh and frisky, plus a wireless trolling motor for those sneaky approaches to spooky fish in shallow water. The afternoon schedule works perfect for folks who want to sleep in or handle morning business – you'll launch when the sun's high and fish through some of the best bite windows Gulf Shores has to offer. Captain Shawn provides all the tackle, bait, and know-how, so just bring yourself and maybe a cooler if you want to keep your catch ice-cold on the ride home. The man knows these waters like his own backyard and he's not shy about sharing techniques that'll make you a better angler.
This is true inshore fishing where you're working grass flats, oyster bars, and structure that holds fish year-round. Captain Shawn's got the tackle dialed for everything from finesse fishing with soft plastics to throwing topwater when the fish are busting bait on the surface. You'll learn how to read water, spot nervous bait, and present lures that trigger strikes from Gulf Shores' most sought-after species. The wireless trolling motor is a game-changer for positioning – it keeps the boat dead quiet while you work productive water without spooking fish. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be throwing spoons, working live shrimp under popping corks, or bouncing jigs along the bottom. Captain Shawn adapts his approach based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling him, so every trip feels fresh even if you've fished these waters before.
Southern Flounder are the kings of structure around Gulf Shores, and these flatfish know how to put up a fight that'll surprise you. They're ambush predators that lay buried in sand waiting for bait to swim by, and once you hook one, they'll make powerful runs that test your drag. Fall and spring are prime time for doormat flounder, with fish pushing 20+ inches not uncommon. What makes them so fun is the hunt – you're sight-casting to structure, bouncing baits along edges, and when that rod tip loads up, you know you've got something special.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the inshore world, and Gulf Shores produces some absolute tanks. These fish cruise oyster bars and grass flats in schools, and when you find them, the action gets hot fast. They're not the prettiest fish in the water, but they'll give you an arm workout that'll have you talking about it for weeks. Spring brings the big spawners into shallow water, and there's nothing quite like watching your rod double over when a 30-pound drum decides it doesn't want to come to the boat.
Sheepshead are the thieves of the inshore world – they'll steal your bait faster than you can blink if you're not paying attention. These convict-striped fish hang around any structure they can find, especially oyster bars and bridge pilings. They've got human-like teeth for crushing shells, and they're notorious for their light bite and quick escape. Landing a good sheepshead requires patience and sharp reflexes, but the reward is some of the best eating fish in Alabama waters.
Sea Trout are your bread-and-butter inshore fish that'll keep the action steady throughout the trip. They school up over grass flats and love to smash topwater plugs when conditions are right. Gator trout – those thick females over 20 inches – are the prize, and Captain Shawn knows the spots where these fish hold. They're cooperative enough for beginners but challenging enough to keep experienced anglers interested, especially when they're feeding aggressively.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers never disappoint. They're curious fish that'll eat everything from live bait to artificial lures, and their initial run when hooked is legendary among anglers. Reds patrol shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths, often in schools that create some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities on the Gulf Coast. Captain Shawn's got the spots dialed where these fish cruise, and there's nothing quite like watching a red's back fin cutting through shallow water as it hunts for dinner.
Captain Shawn's afternoon trips book up quick, especially during prime fishing months when the bite is hot and the weather's cooperating. Four hours gives you plenty of time to work different spots, learn new techniques, and put together a respectable fish box without committing your entire day. The personalized attention you'll get with just two anglers aboard means more fish, better instruction, and memories that'll last long after the trip's over. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to inshore fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to learn Gulf Shores' secrets
The Shearwater 25' is your ticket to productive Gulf Shores waters this afternoon. Captain Shawn knows these inshore spots like the back of his hand, and this boat is rigged to help you find and land fish. The GPS and fishfinder combo takes the guesswork out of locating good structure and schools, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly without spooking whatever's below. Keep your drinks cold in the icebox and your bait lively in the well - this setup handles everything from redfish in the grass flats to speckled trout along the drop-offs. With room for up to 6 anglers and all tackle provided, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time worrying about gear. Four hours gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques while learning from one of Alabama's seasoned captains.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These powerful fish have crushing jaws perfect for their diet of oysters, crabs, and shellfish. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we see the best action. Guests love the strong, steady fight they provide, though smaller ones under 15 pounds are better eating since the big ones get tough and stringy. They're called drums for the croaking sounds they make, especially during spawning season. My best tip: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom and be patient - these fish take their time but the wait is worth it when you hook into a real bruiser.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our inshore waters, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds, though we see plenty of "bull" reds over 27 inches that really test your drag. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water. They're active year-round but fall brings the best action when they school up. Guests love their powerful runs and bulldogging fights, plus they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. That black spot near their tail fools predators into attacking the wrong end. My go-to technique is sight fishing with gold spoons or topwater plugs in the shallows - when you see that wake coming at your lure, get ready for some serious fun.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near structure in 2-8 feet of water. They love areas where fresh water meets salt. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, with early morning and evening being prime times. Guests enjoy their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and they're fantastic eating with tender, flaky white meat. They school up in winter in deeper holes and channels. The key to consistent success is working the grass edges with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork - the noise draws them in from a distance. Just remember they have soft mouths, so don't horse them or you'll pull the hook.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are some of the smartest fish we target, running typically 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we occasionally see 20-pounders. They're called "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth used for crushing barnacles and crabs. You'll find them tight to structure - docks, bridges, pilings, and reefs in 5-25 feet of water. They're active year-round but spring brings the best action when they spawn around offshore structures. Guests love the challenge since they're notorious bait thieves and the reward of excellent white, flaky meat. They're tricky to hook but put up a solid fight once you do. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get right up on the structure, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - hesitate and they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that typically run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some real nice ones up to 20+ pounds. What makes them unique is having both eyes on the left side of their head - they're masters of camouflage, burying in sand and mud on the bottom. You'll find them in our shallow bays, around docks, and near creek mouths where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they fatten up before their offshore spawning runs. Guests love the fight they put up and they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: when you feel that telltale nibble, give them a second to fully take the bait before setting the hook - they're notorious for stealing bait if you rush it.
Gulf Shores, AL