Half Day Morning Fishing Trip in Gulf Shores
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure with Captain Shawn SlatteryFully equipped boat accommodates up to six guests comfortablyAll fishing gear provided and guests keep their catch
Ready to get your lines wet in some of Alabama's best inshore waters? Captain Shawn Slattery knows exactly where the fish are biting, and he's ready to put you on them during this top-rated 4-hour morning trip. Launching from Gulf Shores aboard his well-equipped Shearwater 25', you'll have everything you need for a productive day – GPS, fishfinder, live bait well, wireless trolling motor, and ice to keep your catch fresh. This isn't some crowded party boat experience; it's an intimate trip for just 2 anglers who want personalized attention and real fishing action. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Captain Shawn adapts his approach to make sure everyone has a shot at filling the cooler.
Your morning starts early when you meet Captain Shawn at 16833 Buchanan Pl, where the Shearwater 25' is rigged and ready to go. This boat was built for inshore fishing – shallow draft, quiet operation, and loaded with electronics to find the fish. You'll cruise through Gulf Shores' productive backwaters, targeting structure, grass flats, and oyster bars where game fish love to feed. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're working shallow water, giving you a real advantage over the fish. Captain Shawn handles all the navigation and fish-finding while you focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. All your tackle, bait, and gear are provided, so you just need to bring your fishing license, some snacks if you want them, and your A-game.
Gulf Shores inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting to conditions. Captain Shawn runs both live and artificial baits depending on what the fish are showing him. You might be pitching soft plastics around dock pilings one minute, then switching to live shrimp under a popping cork the next. The fishfinder helps locate schools of baitfish, and where there's bait, there are predators. Sight fishing becomes a real option when the water's clear – watching redfish cruise the shallows and making precise casts ahead of them is about as good as it gets. The boat's live well keeps your bait frisky all morning, and Captain Shawn knows exactly which presentations work best for each species you're targeting. He'll coach you through different retrieves and techniques, so you're not just catching fish today but learning skills for future trips too.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the Gulf Shores flats, and they're absolute table fare champions. These flatfish ambush prey from sandy bottoms and grass edges, often in just 2-3 feet of water. Fall months are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawn, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to legitimate doormat flounder pushing 5+ pounds. They fight with surprising power once hooked, making strong runs and using their flat profile to create maximum resistance. What makes flounder special is their incredible camouflage ability and the challenge of coaxing them to bite – success requires precise presentations and patience.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of Gulf Shores inshore waters, known for their incredible pulling power and stubborn fight. These fish patrol oyster bars and structure-rich areas, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. You'll find them year-round, but spring and fall produce the most consistent action with fish ranging from 5-pound "puppy drum" to massive 30+ pound bulls. When a big black drum takes your bait, you'll know it immediately – they make long, sustained runs that test your drag system and your patience. Their distinctive drumming sound, created by vibrating their swim bladder, often gives away schools before you see them.
Sheepshead earn their nickname as the "convict fish" with distinctive black stripes, but anglers know them as some of the most challenging inshore targets. These structure-oriented fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles, crabs, and fiddlers around pilings and oyster bars. Peak season runs from March through May when they're spawning, but Gulf Shores produces sheepshead opportunities year-round. They're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites, requiring sensitive tackle and lightning-fast hook sets. Landing a quality sheepshead – anything over 3 pounds – represents a real angling achievement, and their sweet, flaky meat makes them a prized catch.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, offering consistent action and spectacular table quality. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots love grass flats, drop-offs, and areas where fresh water meets salt. Spring and fall produce the best numbers, but summer mornings and winter warm-ups keep the action going year-round. Specks are aggressive feeders that respond to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers wanting to learn different techniques. A 3-pound speckled trout is a solid fish here, while anything over 5 pounds enters trophy territory with the potential for 25+ inch "gator trout" that provide memories lasting long after the trip.
Redfish represent the ultimate Gulf Shores inshore prize – copper-colored bulldogs that fight dirty and look spectacular. These drum family members cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges, often in water so shallow their backs break the surface. Year-round residents, reds offer the most exciting action during fall months when schools of bull reds move through the area. Slot-sized fish between 16-26 inches provide outstanding sport and excellent eating, while oversized bulls over 27 inches offer the fight of a lifetime before their required release. Sight fishing for tailing redfish in skinny water represents inshore angling at its finest – watching that copper back cruise your way
The Shearwater 25' is your ticket to productive Gulf Shores fishing. This well-built motorboat handles both inshore waters and nearshore runs with ease, giving you flexibility to chase whatever's biting. Captain Shawn keeps the boat dialed in with GPS and fishfinder tech to put you on fish fast. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into shallow spots without spooking your targets, while the live bait well keeps your offerings fresh and lively. An icebox handles your drinks and any keeper fish you land. Built for up to 6 anglers but running with just 2 guests means plenty of elbow room to work the water. The boat's layout gives everyone clear casting lanes and easy access to the action. Four hours on these productive Alabama waters with quality gear and local knowledge – that's how morning fishing trips should be done.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50+. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring is your best shot when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. They're built like tanks and fight accordingly, making long, stubborn runs that'll test your drag. While smaller ones under 15 pounds are great table fare, most folks target them for the challenge. These fish live in surprisingly shallow water but can handle everything from brackish creeks to 100-foot depths. My go-to trick: use fresh cut crab and keep your bait right on the bottom - they won't chase anything suspended.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here in Gulf Shores. These copper-colored bruisers with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds in our shallow waters. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What gets people hooked is watching them tail in skinny water and that explosive strike when they hit. They're strong fighters that'll peel drag and make long runs. Plus, slot-sized fish make excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The bigger bulls over 27 inches are catch-and-release only, which keeps the population healthy. Pro tip: look for nervous water and mullet jumping - that usually means reds are feeding below.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are a local favorite running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These beautiful silver fish with distinctive spots love grass flats, sandy bottoms, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months when water temps drop, and dawn/dusk fishing produces the best results. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - there's nothing like a speck blowing up on a surface plug at first light. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. During summer, target deeper channels and holes where they seek cooler water. My secret weapon: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around grass edges during moving water. The key is matching your retrieve to their mood - sometimes they want it fast, sometimes barely moving.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that'll give you a double-take. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we occasionally see 15+ pounders around deeper structures. These guys live around any hard structure - docks, bridges, rock piles, and especially barnacle-covered pilings where they pick off crustaceans. Late fall through early spring is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. They're notorious bait thieves with light mouths, so you need quick reflexes and sharp hooks. The payoff is some of the finest eating fish in the Gulf - sweet, flaky white meat that's worth the effort to clean. Here's the key: get your bait tight to structure and set the hook hard the instant you feel weight. They'll steal your bait faster than you can blink.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, bottom-dwelling fish that live up to their "doormat" nickname when you land a big one. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, but we see some pushing 20+ pounds during peak season. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud along channel edges, oyster bars, and grass flats in 2-15 feet of water. Fall through early winter is prime time as they stage near passes before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them special is the fight - they'll pull drag and stay glued to the bottom. Plus, they're hands down some of the best eating fish in these waters. Pro tip: when you feel that telltale tap-tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first, then turn to swallow it.
Gulf Shores, AL