Quick Afternoon Fishing Trip in Gulf Shores
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Two-hour guided inshore fishing trip with Captain Shawn SlatteryAccommodates up to 6 guests with all equipment and gear providedDeparts from Gulf Shores with catch-and-keep fishing experience
Looking for a solid afternoon bite without burning your whole day? Captain Shawn Slattery's 2-hour inshore trip aboard the Shearwater 25' is exactly what you need. This top-rated Gulf Shores fishing experience keeps things simple but productive – just you, up to one fishing buddy, and some of Alabama's most reliable inshore waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior or completely new to saltwater fishing, Captain Shawn's got the local knowledge and gear to put fish in the cooler. You'll launch from 16833 Buchanan Pl and hit the productive flats and grass beds where Gulf Shores' best inshore species love to hang out.
This isn't some rushed cattle-boat operation – with just 2 anglers max, you're getting personalized attention that makes all the difference. The Shearwater 25' comes loaded with everything you need: GPS and fishfinder to locate structure and bait schools, a live bait well keeping your offerings fresh, and a wireless trolling motor for those quiet approaches that spook-prone fish demand. Captain Shawn provides all tackle and bait, so you can travel light. The onboard ice box means your catch stays fresh from hook to table. Most importantly, whatever you land goes home with you – none of that "fish stays with the boat" nonsense you'll find elsewhere. The afternoon timing is perfect for Gulf Shores inshore fishing, as the heat gets fish moving toward cooler structure and the tide changes often trigger feeding activity.
Captain Shawn adapts his approach based on conditions and what's biting, but expect a mix of live bait fishing and targeted casting to structure. The wireless trolling motor is key here – it lets you work grass flats, oyster bars, and dock pilings without spooking fish with engine noise. You'll likely fish with live shrimp under popping corks for trout and redfish, while bottom rigs with cut bait target flounder, black drum, and sheepshead around structure. The boat's fishfinder helps locate drop-offs, grass edges, and bait concentrations that hold fish. Tackle is sized appropriately for inshore species – think medium-action spinning rods with 15-20 lb braided line and fluorocarbon leaders. Captain Shawn reads the water and adjusts techniques throughout the trip, whether that means switching to topwater plugs during a surface bite or moving to deeper structure when fish get finicky.
Gulf Shores inshore waters serve up an awesome variety of fish, and Captain Shawn knows where each species likes to hang out. Southern flounder are absolute targets here – these flatfish ambush prey from sandy bottoms near grass edges and channel drops. They hit live mud minnows and finger mullet hard, and watching one inhale your bait is pure excitement. Most run 14-18 inches, with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing 20+ inches. Fall months are prime time as they fatten up before their offshore spawning run. Black drum patrol oyster bars and structure, using their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. These bruisers fight like trucks and commonly reach 15-30 pounds in Gulf Shores waters. They're year-round residents but bite best during cooler months when they move shallow to feed.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped masters of structure fishing around Gulf Shores. These bait thieves have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off pilings and rocks. They're notorious for stealing bait, but once hooked, they make powerful runs and test your drag. Most range 2-4 pounds, though Gulf Shores produces some heavy-shouldered 6+ pounders. Spring months bring the best sheepshead action as they spawn around nearshore structure. Spotted seatrout are Gulf Shores classics – beautiful fish that hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics. They school up in grass beds and around drop-offs, making that distinctive "drumming" sound when stressed. Prime trout run 15-20 inches and fight with strong initial runs and aerial displays.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Shores inshore fishing. These bronze-backed bulldogs patrol grass flats, marsh edges, and shallow structure year-round. Slot-size reds (16-26 inches) are perfect table fare, while oversized bulls provide tackle-testing fights in shallow water. Redfish have incredible eyesight and can be surprisingly spooky, making Captain Shawn's stealthy approach with the wireless trolling motor crucial. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods, making afternoon trips perfectly timed for their feeding windows.
A 2-hour afternoon trip with Captain Shawn delivers exactly what serious anglers want – productive fishing time without the full-day commitment. The intimate 2-person capacity means personal instruction, prime fishing spots, and the kind of attention that turns good trips into great ones. Gulf Shores' inshore waters are firing year-round, and Captain Shawn's local knowledge puts you on fish consistently. All gear is provided, your catch goes home with you, and you'll learn techniques that make you a better angler. This customer favorite books up quickly, especially during peak seasons, so don't sleep on securing your spot. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler, learn new techniques, or just enjoy a relaxing afternoon on Alabama's beautiful inshore waters, this world-class Gulf Shores fishing experience delivers every time.
The Shearwater 25' is your perfect fishing partner for exploring Gulf Shores' productive inshore waters. This well-built motorboat handles beautifully whether you're working the grass flats or hitting structure near the coast. With room for up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need - GPS to keep you on the fish, a quality fishfinder to locate those sweet spots, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the bite gets finicky. The live bait well keeps your shrimp and pinfish lively, while the generous ice box handles your catch plus cold drinks for the crew. Captain Shawn knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time with lines wet instead of searching around. Whether you're targeting redfish in the shallows or chasing speckled trout along the drop-offs, this boat gets you there comfortably and puts you on the fish quickly.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. These grey-black bruisers love shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and around bridge pilings where they crunch shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're tough fighters that'll test your drag and patience. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with mild, flaky meat, but the big bulls get tough and stringy. You'll find them year-round in our brackish waters, from super shallow flats to deeper channels. Fresh crab is the ultimate bait - blue crab, fiddler crab, or peeler crab work best since other fish won't steal it as quickly. Fish right on the bottom with enough weight to hold, and be patient - they'll mouth the bait before fully committing.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. These powerful fish typically run 18-35 inches and put up serious fights in shallow water. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively, though we catch them year-round. What makes them special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight in skinny water. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. They love live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures equally. Look for them tailing in shallow grass beds or cruising oyster bars on moving tides. My go-to setup is a gold spoon or soft plastic paddle tail on a jighead. When sight-fishing, cast ahead of their path and work the lure slowly - they'll hunt it down.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, with their silvery sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and around creek mouths where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Dawn and dusk are magic times, especially on moving tides. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, with cooler months finding them schooled up in deeper channels. Guests love their aggressive strikes and the way they fight on light gear - plus they're outstanding table fare with tender, flaky white meat. Look for them over grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, though winter finds them deeper. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but soft plastic jigs and topwater plugs work great too. Pro tip: fish the edges of grass beds during tide changes, and don't overlook those shallow potholes in the flats where they ambush baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These 1-8 pound fighters hang tight around any structure - dock pilings, bridge supports, and oyster beds where they feed on barnacles and crabs. They're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that'll drive you crazy, but that's what makes them fun to target. Spring months are best when they're spawning around structures. The white, sweet meat is some of the finest eating you'll find, though those sharp spines make cleaning tricky. Look for them around barnacle-covered pilings in 3-15 feet of water. Fresh fiddler crabs or sand fleas work best - thread the hook through the back corner of the shell. Here's the key: get as close to structure as possible, keep your bait firmly on the hook, and when you feel that telltale nibble, set the hook hard and fast. They've got crusher mouths, so no hesitation.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that spend their time buried in sand and mud bottoms, perfectly camouflaged with both eyes on their left side. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper waters. You'll find them in our shallow bays, around grass beds, and near creek mouths where they ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore to spawn. Guests love the challenge since these masters of disguise are bait thieves - they'll nibble and test your offering before committing. The white, flaky meat is outstanding table fare. My tip: use a slip sinker rig with live mud minnows or shrimp, keep your drag light, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They've got soft mouths, so steady pressure works better than hard jerking.
Gulf Shores, AL