Quick Afternoon Fishing Trip in Gulf Shores
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour guided inshore fishing trip with Captain Shawn SlatteryFully equipped Shearwater 25' accommodates up to 6 guests comfortablyAll fishing gear provided and guests keep their catch
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip without burning your whole day? Captain Shawn Slattery's got you covered with his quick afternoon runs out of Gulf Shores. This 2-hour trip aboard the Shearwater 25' is perfect when you want to get your line wet but still have time for dinner plans or family activities. The inshore waters around Gulf Shores are loaded with fish year-round, and Captain Shawn knows exactly where to find them. With space for up to 2 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work the waters properly.
Captain Shawn runs a tight ship with everything you need for a successful afternoon. The Shearwater 25' comes fully rigged with GPS, fishfinder, live bait well, and a wireless trolling motor that lets you sneak up on those spooky fish without spooking them. You'll meet at 16833 Buchanan Pl and head out into the productive inshore waters that make Gulf Shores a top-rated fishing destination. The afternoon bite can be fantastic, especially when the morning crowds thin out and the fish settle back into their feeding patterns. All your gear is provided - rods, reels, tackle, bait, and ice for your catch. Captain Shawn handles the technical stuff while you focus on what matters: putting fish in the cooler.
Inshore fishing in Gulf Shores means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Shawn switches between live bait fishing with shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows depending on what's biting. The wireless trolling motor lets you work structure quietly - oyster bars, grass flats, and channel edges where predator fish ambush their prey. You'll fish with medium-action spinning gear perfect for the size fish you're targeting, with enough backbone to handle a bull redfish but sensitive enough to feel a sheepshead nibbling your bait. The fishfinder shows bottom structure and baitfish schools, so you're always fishing where the action is hottest. When the fish are holding tight to cover, expect to use lighter tackle and finesse presentations. When they're aggressive and feeding in open water, you can step up to heavier gear and cover more water quickly.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of the Gulf Shores inshore scene. These flatfish lie perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms and grass flats, waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage near passes before heading offshore to spawn. A good keeper flounder runs 15-20 inches and fights with surprising power once hooked. They're excellent table fare and always a customer favorite. Captain Shawn knows the specific flats and drop-offs where these fish concentrate, especially during moving tides when they're most active.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore waters, with their deep, powerful runs and stubborn fighting style. These fish cruise oyster bars and shallow flats, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. They range from slot-sized fish around 16-27 inches up to massive bulls that can stretch your arms. The smaller ones are fantastic eating, while the big breeders provide unforgettable fights on medium tackle. Black drum are year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding in preparation for spawning runs.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" from their distinctive black stripes, but anglers know them as some of the wiliest fish in the Gulf. These bait thieves have human-like teeth perfect for picking barnacles and small crabs off structure. They're notoriously light biters, requiring patience and a sensitive touch to detect their subtle takes. Once hooked, they make short, powerful runs toward the nearest piling or oyster bar. Sheepshead are some of the best eating fish in these waters, with firm white meat that's perfect for any recipe. Winter months bring the largest concentrations as they spawn around inshore structure.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Gulf Shores inshore fishing. These spotted predators school up over grass flats and around structure, feeding aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. They hit both live bait and artificial lures with gusto, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. A good keeper trout runs 15-20 inches, with gator trout over 25 inches being true trophies. They're active year-round but peak during spring and fall transitions. The light tackle fight and excellent table quality make speckled trout a customer favorite on every trip.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, with their bronze flanks and distinctive black spots making them instantly recognizable. These powerful fish cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges, often feeding with their tails out of the water. Slot-sized reds between 16-27 inches provide explosive fights and excellent eating, while oversized bulls offer pure adrenaline on light tackle. Redfish are ambush predators that hit live bait and lures with aggressive strikes. They're year-round residents, but fall brings some of the best action as they school up for their spawning runs. Captain Shawn's local knowledge shines when targeting these fish, as he knows the specific tide and weather conditions that trigger feeding frenzies.
This quick afternoon trip delivers everything you want from a Gulf Shores fishing experience without the time commitment of a full day. Captain Shawn's reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for itself, and the Shearwater 25' gives you the perfect platform to fish these productive inshore waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to squeeze
Captain Shawn's Shearwater 25' is built for Gulf Shores fishing success. This solid 25-footer handles inshore waters with ease, giving you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work the rods. The fishfinder keeps you on top of the action while the GPS gets you to the best spots quickly. The wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through shallow areas without spooking fish. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox, and store cold drinks for the ride back. With a live bait well and all the fishing gear provided, you're set for a productive afternoon targeting whatever's biting in these productive Alabama waters. The boat's designed for comfort and fishing efficiency, so you can focus on landing fish instead of worrying about equipment.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50-plus. These powerful fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and shallow structure where they crush crabs and mollusks with their pharyngeal teeth. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning season, which is peak fishing time when they school up in the shallows. What guests love about drum fishing is the strong, steady fight they put up - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, mild meat. Around Gulf Shores, I always recommend using fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom. The key trick is to keep your bait right in the mud where they're rooting around. Don't worry about getting dirty - these fish live in the muck and that's where you need to be.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These bruisers typically range from 20-35 inches and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marshy shorelines year-round, though fall brings the best action. What makes reds special is their raw power and that classic tail-walking fight when hooked. They're also fantastic eating in the slot size range with firm, mild flesh. The sight-fishing opportunities are what really get guests fired up - watching these fish cruise the shallows and making that perfect cast. My favorite Gulf Shores technique is working gold spoons or soft plastics in 1-3 feet of water around structure. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish - spook them and the game's over.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of Gulf Shores' most popular targets. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats and shallow bay areas. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk when they move into the shallows to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes trout fishing so enjoyable is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their solid fights with occasional jumps. They're also excellent eating with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. In our Gulf Shores waters, I like to work soft plastics or topwater plugs over the grass beds early morning or late evening. The secret is to make long casts and work your lure slowly - specks can be spooky in shallow water. A 1/4 oz jig head with a paddle tail works wonders when they're finicky.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Gulf Shores with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. These 2-8 pound fighters hang around any structure they can find - docks, pilings, rocks, and reefs where they pick off barnacles and crabs. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially around the spawn in early spring when they gather in large numbers. Anglers love them because they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. They're also challenging to catch since they're notorious bait thieves who nibble instead of striking hard. My go-to trick around these Gulf Shores structures is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and getting your bait tight to the pilings. When you feel them picking at it, don't wait - set that hook quick and hard. Their bony mouths require a solid hookset to stick.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that can change color to match the bottom. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches, though you might land one up to 25 inches if you're lucky. They bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms in shallow bays and around structure, waiting to ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before their offshore spawning run. What makes them special is their unique appearance with both eyes on one side and their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. Here in Gulf Shores, I always tell folks to fish your bait right on the bottom and be patient. When you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away - let them take it and turn before you pull. They're sneaky biters but worth the wait.
Gulf Shores, AL