Half Day Morning Fishing Trip in Gulf Shores
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour guided inshore fishing trip with Captain Shawn SlatteryFully equipped Shearwater 25' boat accommodates up to 6 guestsAll fishing gear provided and guests keep their catch
There's something special about hitting the water early morning in Gulf Shores, and Captain Shawn Slattery knows exactly how to make those first few hours count. This top-rated 4-hour inshore fishing adventure aboard the Shearwater 25' puts you right where the fish are biting, with all the gear and guidance you need for a productive morning on Alabama's renowned coastal waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this customer favorite trip delivers the kind of personalized fishing experience that keeps folks coming back season after season.
Captain Shawn runs a tight ship that's built for success. The Shearwater 25' comes loaded with everything you need – GPS and fishfinder to locate the best spots, live bait well to keep your offerings fresh, wireless trolling motor for those sneaky approaches, and a proper ice box to keep your catch fresh. You'll launch from 16833 Buchanan Pl and head straight to where the action is. This isn't some cattle-boat operation – with just 2 guests max, you're getting the kind of one-on-one attention that makes all the difference between coming home with stories and coming home with dinner. The captain provides all your rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the cooler.
Gulf Shores inshore fishing is all about reading the water and working the structure. You'll be targeting grass flats, oyster bars, docks, and channel edges where gamefish love to hang out and ambush baitfish. Captain Shawn knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on live shrimp under popping corks for trout, chunk cut bait on the bottom for drum and sheepshead, or work soft plastics along the grass lines for redfish. The wireless trolling motor lets you work spots quietly without spooking fish, especially important in the shallow water where many of these species feed. Early morning is prime time – the water's usually calmer, boat traffic is light, and fish are actively feeding after the night. You'll learn proper bait presentation, how to read your rod tip for different species, and the subtle differences in fighting techniques that'll help you land more fish.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise in these waters, lying flat on sandy bottoms and striking with lightning speed. These flatfish can grow over 20 inches and provide excellent table fare with their sweet, white meat. Fall months are peak season when they're staging for their offshore spawning run, making them more aggressive and easier to target. What makes flounder fishing exciting is the sudden, hard thump when they grab your bait – there's no mistaking that bite.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, with their powerful runs and stubborn fight. These fish can range from schoolie-sized "puppy drum" around 2-3 pounds up to monster "bull drum" pushing 30+ pounds. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall. You'll find them around oyster bars and structure, crushing crabs and shrimp. The bigger ones will test your drag system and give you a workout that'll have your arms burning.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped bandits that'll test your angling skills with their notorious bait-stealing abilities. These structure-loving fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and oysters. They're most active in cooler months when they stack up around pilings, jetties, and oyster bars. Landing a quality sheepshead requires patience and a quick hook-set, but they're considered some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, schooling up over grass flats and providing consistent action for anglers. These spotted beauties hit hard and jump when hooked, making them a blast on light tackle. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from 12-inch "schoolies" up to hefty 5+ pound "gator trout." They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait, artificials, and everything in between.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing – bronze-backed fighters with distinctive black spots that'll peel drag and make memorable runs. These fish are built for power, using their broad tails to generate serious pulling force. They're year-round residents that feed in shallow water, often with their backs out of the water as they root for crabs and shrimp. A slot-sized red between 16-26 inches makes excellent eating, while the bigger "bull reds" provide world-class sport fishing action.
This best trip experience with 'Bama Bandit Sportfishing gives you everything you need for a successful morning on the water – expert guidance, top-notch equipment, and access to Gulf Shores' most productive inshore fishing spots. Captain Shawn's local knowledge and personalized instruction mean you'll not only catch fish but learn techniques you can use for years to come. You keep everything you catch, and with species like redfish, trout, and flounder on the menu, you're looking at some serious good eating. Morning trips are trending for good reason – cooler temperatures, calmer conditions, and active fish make for the perfect combination. Don't wait around hoping the fish will be there tomorrow – book your spot today and get ready to experience why Gulf Shores is considered one of Alabama's premier inshore fishing destinations.
The Shearwater 25' is built for serious Gulf Shores fishing action. This well-rigged motorboat handles both inshore waters and nearshore runs with ease, giving you access to prime fishing spots around Alabama's coast. Captain Shawn keeps this boat dialed in with a GPS and fishfinder to put you on the fish, plus a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the bite gets finicky. The live bait well keeps your bait fresh and lively, while the icebox handles your catch and keeps drinks cold during the 4-hour trip. At 25 feet, she's got the size to handle Gulf waters comfortably while staying nimble enough to work the shallows where redfish and speckled trout love to feed. All your tackle and gear are provided, so you just need to show up ready to fish and take home whatever you catch.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish have crushing jaws perfect for their favorite foods - oysters, crabs, and shellfish. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and structure in brackish water from super shallow to about 100 feet deep. Spring spawning season is when they school up and become easier targets. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear them underwater. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to technique is bottom fishing with fresh crab or cut bait on a fish-finder rig. Here's the trick: use circle hooks and let them run with the bait - they'll hook themselves when you apply steady pressure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow flats - bronze-backed beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. They typically run 20-35 inches and can really pull, with some bulls pushing 40+ pounds. These fish love super shallow water, often with their backs showing, around grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges. Year-round fishing is good here, but fall is prime time when they school up. What makes them special is their power - even a 10-pounder will test your drag - plus they're gorgeous fish with excellent eating quality. They'll hit just about anything when feeding: topwater plugs, spoons, or live shrimp. Here's my go-to method: sight fishing the flats with gold spoons or topwater baits early morning. Cast ahead of cruising fish and work it slow - when they turn on that bait, hold on tight because they're going to make a serious run.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, 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 fun. You'll find them over grass flats, around docks, and in shallow bays where they feed on shrimp and small fish. Dawn and dusk are magic hours, especially during warmer months when they're most active in shallow water. Guests love them because they're aggressive strikers, put up a good fight, and make outstanding table fare with tender, flaky white meat. The key is working grass flats with topwater plugs early morning or suspending baits around lights at night. My favorite trick: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in and that setup keeps your bait in the strike zone perfectly.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. These crafty fish typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though big ones can hit 20 pounds. They live around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings, and reefs where barnacles grow. Spring months are prime time when they spawn around jetties and passes. Guests get a kick out of their weird appearance and they're notorious bait thieves, making them a fun challenge. The payoff is excellent - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Here's my secret: get as close to structure as possible with live shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait firmly hooked, and when you feel that nibble, set the hook hard and fast before they clean you out.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - flat, oval-shaped fish that bury themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side. They're ambush predators that blend perfectly with the bottom, feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, but you can find them up to 33 inches. We target them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries with sandy or muddy bottoms. Fall and winter are prime time when adults move offshore. Guests love the challenge since they're sneaky biters and make great table fare with sweet, white meat. Pro tip: use a Carolina rig with live shrimp or bull minnows, and fish it slow right on the bottom - when you feel that subtle tap, set the hook quick before they steal your bait.
Gulf Shores, AL