Gulf Shores Deep Sea Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing trips ranging from 12 to 24 hours availableTarget yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi, and sharks in deep watersAccommodates up to 6 guests with experienced crew guidance
When you're ready to leave the shallow water behind and chase the big fish, Big Shooter Fishing Charters has exactly what you're looking for. We run serious offshore trips from Gulf Shores, Alabama - 12, 18, and 24-hour adventures that'll take you to where the real action happens. The Gulf of Mexico off our coast is loaded with pelagic species that'll test your skills and fill your cooler. Our experienced crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and we're here to put you on fish whether you've been doing this for decades or you're picking up a rod for the first time.
Our boat holds up to 6 anglers, which means you're not fighting crowds for deck space or rod holders. We keep groups small because that's how you get the personalized attention that makes these trips special. The captain and crew will have you rigged up and ready before we even clear the harbor. Depending on which trip length you choose, we'll head anywhere from 20 to 100+ miles offshore to find the fish. The 12-hour trips are perfect for targeting yellowfin tuna and mahi closer to shore, while our 18 and 24-hour adventures let us chase the bigger fish in deeper water where the wahoo and blackfins really stack up. Just heads up - meals aren't included, so pack plenty of food and drinks for the long haul. Trust me, you'll work up an appetite fighting these fish all day.
We run a variety of techniques depending on what we're targeting and what the fish are telling us. High-speed trolling is our bread and butter for wahoo - we'll pull lures at 12-15 knots with wire leaders because these fish have teeth that'll cut through mono like butter. For tuna, we switch between trolling spreads and chunk fishing over structure. When the mahi are schooled up, we'll work the weed lines and debris with both live bait and artificials. All the tackle is provided, from the heavy trolling rods down to the circle hooks and weights. We use quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, and our lure spread includes everything from cedar plugs and ballyhoo combos to big diving plugs that'll draw strikes from 50+ pound fish. The boat's rigged with outriggers, downriggers, and a full electronics package including GPS, fishfinder, and radar to keep us on the fish and fishing safely.
Yellowfin tuna are the crown jewel of Gulf Shores offshore fishing, and for good reason. These fish are pure muscle - a 50-pound yellowfin will test every bit of your tackle and technique. They show up best from late spring through early fall, often in 100-200 feet of water around oil rigs and structure. What makes them so special is their incredible fight - they'll peel drag like nothing else and never give up until they're in the boat. The meat is absolutely premium, perfect for sashimi or searing on the grill.
Blackfin tuna might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, but they more than make up for it in numbers and attitude. These 10-30 pound speedsters travel in schools and when you find them, you can often hook multiples at once. They're year-round residents here, which makes them reliable targets when other species are scattered. Blackfins are incredible table fare too - their dark meat has a rich flavor that's perfect for blackening or making into tuna steaks.
Mahi mahi are probably the most fun fish you'll tangle with out here. They're absolutely gorgeous with their electric blues and greens, and they put on a show when hooked - jumping, tail-walking, and generally going crazy on the surface. Mahi love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, usually in the 20-40 pound range though we see some bulls pushing 50+. Best fishing is typically spring through fall when the water warms up. They're also fantastic eating with white, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or grilling.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf, capable of hitting 60+ mph and absolutely smoking a reel when they take off. These fish are built like torpedoes and fight like they're shot out of one. Most of our wahoo run 20-50 pounds, though we see some monsters over 80. They're structure-oriented fish that love oil rigs and drop-offs, typically biting best on high-speed trolled lures. The meat is white and mild, similar to mahi but with a slightly firmer texture that holds up great on the grill.
The Gulf of Mexico off Gulf Shores is world-class fishing water, and these extended trips are your ticket to the best action. Whether you choose the 12-hour day trip or go all-in on a 24-hour marathon, you're going to experience offshore fishing at its finest. Our crew lives for putting clients on fish, and with small group sizes and top-notch equipment, you'll have everything you need for an outstanding day on the water. Don't wait - the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red hot. Book your Gulf Shores deep sea fishing adventure today and get ready to battle some of the Gulf's finest gamefish.
Our 34-foot Baha catamaran is built for serious Gulf Shores fishing adventures. This 2000 twin-engine powerhouse runs on dual 350HP Suzuki outboards, cruising at 30 knots to get you to the prime fishing grounds fast. The cat hull design provides stability when you're battling big tuna or wahoo in rough offshore waters. With room for 6 anglers, she's equipped with everything needed for extended trips - icebox to keep your catch fresh, air conditioning for those hot Alabama days, GPS and radar for navigation, plus a fish finder to locate schools. The flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility for spotting birds and bait, while the onboard bed and head make overnight trips comfortable. Whether you're targeting yellowfin, blackfin, mahi, or sharks during 12, 18, or 24-hour trips, this boat gets you there and back safely.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the scrappy little brothers of the tuna family, but don't let their size fool you - they pack serious fight into a compact package. These dark-backed beauties average 10-20 pounds and stay close to the continental shelf in warm water. We find them around structure and temperature breaks, usually mixing with other species. Fall, winter, and spring are prime time when they school up thick. What makes blackfin special is their attitude - pound for pound, they fight harder than anything out there with quick runs and dogged determination. The meat is rich and flavorful, perfect for the table. Here's what works: scale down your tackle with fluorocarbon leaders and smaller circle hooks. Their eyesight is sharp, so finesse beats power with these fish.
Coryphaena HippurusThese beautiful fish are what dreams are made of - brilliant gold sides with electric blue and green backs that put on a light show when they hit the boat. Most mahi run 15-29 pounds and about 3 feet long, though we've seen some real bulls push 50+ pounds. They love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and structure in the upper water column. Best fishing happens during our warmer months when they're thick in the Gulf. What makes mahi special is the fight - they'll jump, dive, and give you everything they've got. Plus, the meat is fantastic eating with that mild, sweet flavor everyone loves. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look for a school underneath - where there's one mahi, there's usually more.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf, hitting 60 mph when they want to. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet with that distinctive blue back and silver sides marked by dark stripes. They cruise the blue water and around our oil rigs, usually in the top 60 feet. Fall through spring gives us our best shots at them when the water cools down. What hooks anglers is that blistering initial run - nothing quite like a wahoo taking off with 200 yards of line. The meat is white, flaky, and delicious - perfect for the grill. Here's a local trick: run your high-speed trolling spread at 12-15 knots with wire leaders. Their razor teeth will cut through anything else, and that speed triggers their predator instincts better than slow presentations.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of our deep water trips - powerful, streamlined fish that average 60 pounds but can push over 200. You'll know them by those bright yellow fins and sickle-shaped dorsals on the big ones. They roam the top 100 feet of blue water, always on the move. We see them year-round, but summer brings the best action when they're feeding heavy. These fish are pure muscle and endurance - they'll test your tackle and your back with long, steady runs. The meat is premium grade, perfect for sushi or searing. When they're being picky, try chunking with whatever baitfish are around. Cut up some blue runners or menhaden and let the scent bring them up from the depths - patience pays off with these smart fish.
Gulf Shores, AL