5.0(2 Reviews)Gulf Shores Bottom Fishing for Trophy Reef Fish
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six-hour bottom fishing charter targeting snapper, triggerfish, and amberjackAll equipment, rods, reels, bait and tackle provided by captainAccommodates six guests with fishing suitable for all skill levels
When you're ready to get serious about bottom fishing in the Gulf, this 6-hour charter out of Fort Morgan puts you right where the big reef fish live. Captain Steve and his crew know exactly where to drop lines for red snapper, amberjack, and triggerfish that'll have you fighting hard and grinning wide. With all tackle, bait, and gear provided, you just show up with your cooler full of snacks and drinks, ready to spend a full day working the bottom structure where Gulf Shores' best eating fish call home.
This isn't a quick run-and-gun trip – you're looking at six solid hours targeting the reef species that make Gulf Shores famous among bottom fishermen. Captain Steve runs a tight ship with room for up to six anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or waiting forever for your turn at the hot spot. The boat heads out to proven bottom structure where snapper, triggerfish, and amberjack stack up thick. You'll be fishing in 60-120 feet of water most of the day, working artificial reefs, natural ledges, and wrecks that hold serious fish. The deckhand keeps fresh bait coming and handles the details while you focus on feeling that thump on the other end of your line. Days like this separate the weekend warriors from the anglers who really want to put quality fish in the box.
Everything's provided – and we're talking quality stuff, not the bargain bin specials some operations try to get away with. You'll fish with medium-heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80lb test, paired with rods built to handle the pull of a big amberjack or the head-shaking fight of a bull red snapper. The crew rigs everything with appropriate weights to get your bait down fast and keep it in the strike zone. Fresh cut bait, live pinfish when available, and proven bottom rigs that actually catch fish instead of just looking pretty. Circle hooks are standard – they hook fish better and keep you legal with snapper regulations. When you're fishing 100+ feet down, every detail matters, from the weight of your sinker to the length of your leader. Captain Steve's crew handles the technical stuff so you can focus on working your bait and setting hooks when the fish commit.
"2nd time out with Captain Steve. He has over delivered both times. Would highly recommend,and will be going back." - Scott
"Captain Steve is highly skilled and professional, ensuring we found the best spots. Logan, our deckhand, ensured no hook went un-baited, kept us supplied with bait, re-tied hooks, and maintained a clean boat. They make a fantastic team—I highly recommend Steve Crews!" - Greg
Red snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and these Fort Morgan reefs hold some serious fish. During snapper season (typically June through July), you'll find 15-25 pound fish stacked on the structure, with the occasional 30+ pounder that'll test your drag and your patience. Snapper are aggressive feeders but smart – they'll inspect your bait before committing, so patience pays off. The meat is absolutely primo, firm and sweet, which explains why snapper season books up months in advance. These fish live on the bottom structure year-round, but the season is short and heavily regulated, making every legal keeper a trophy.
Greater amberjack are the freight trains of the Gulf reef system, running 40-80 pounds and fighting like they're twice that size. Spring and early summer are prime time, when these bruisers move onto the reefs to spawn and feed aggressively. An amberjack will make long, powerful runs that'll have your arms burning and your drag screaming. They're smart fish too – they'll try every trick to wrap your line around the structure and break you off. The key is stopping that first run before they reach cover. Amberjack meat is excellent when handled right, with firm white fillets that grill up perfectly.
Grey triggerfish might not win beauty contests, but they're some of the best eating in the Gulf and put up a surprisingly good scrap for their size. These 3-8 pound fish have personalities – they'll steal bait, test your patience, and make you work for every one you put in the boat. Triggerfish season typically runs late summer into fall, when they're thick on the reefs and feeding heavily. They've got serious teeth and attitude to match, but the sweet, flaky meat makes them worth targeting. Triggers are also great fish for newer anglers – they bite readily and fight hard enough to be fun without being overwhelming.
Spanish mackerel show up as bonus fish throughout the warmer months, usually when you're least expecting them. These 2-4 pound speedsters will absolutely slam a bait and make blazing runs that'll wake you up fast. They're not bottom fish technically, but they cruise the structure looking for baitfish, and when they're around, the action can be non-stop. Spanish mackerel are excellent table fare when kept on ice immediately – the meat is rich and flavorful, perfect for smoking or grilling. They're also great fish for keeping kids interested, since they bite aggressively and fight well above their weight class.
King mackerel are the wildcards on these bottom fishing trips – you never know when a 20-40 pound king will crash your snapper party. Kings patrol the edges of the reefs looking for easy meals, and a snapper rig with fresh bait looks pretty tempting. When a king hits, you'll know it immediately – they make long, blistering runs and jump like tarpon. King mackerel are premier table fare when handled properly, with rich, flaky meat that's excellent grilled, blackened, or smoked. Landing a quality king while bottom fishing for snapper is
This 30-foot catamaran delivers the perfect platform for serious bottom fishing in Gulf Shores waters. The twin-hull design provides exceptional stability when you're fighting hard-pulling amberjack or working the bottom for snapper and triggerfish. You'll appreciate the extra deck space when multiple lines are in the water and fish are hitting. The cat's speed gets you to productive fishing grounds faster, meaning more time with your line wet. Stay comfortable with the onboard toilet, keep your catch fresh in the icebox, and rely on the fish finder to locate schools holding near structure. GPS and radar ensure safe navigation, while the VHF radio keeps you connected. With room for six anglers, there's plenty of space to spread out along the rails without tangled lines. The stable fishing platform means you can focus on working the bottom structure where the big snappers hide instead of fighting boat roll.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldozers of the reef, averaging 15-40 pounds with some monsters pushing 60+ pounds. These powerful fish live around deep structure, wrecks, and reefs in 60-200 feet of water throughout the Gulf. April through October offers prime fishing when they're most active and feeding heavily. What draws anglers is their brute strength - amberjack make long, powerful runs and fight all the way to the boat. The meat is firm and tasty, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. The secret is heavy tackle and live bait fished near bottom around structure. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to their hole or you'll lose them for sure.
Balistes CapriscusTriggerfish are feisty bottom dwellers that pack a surprising punch for their size, typically running 1-3 pounds with some reaching 5+ pounds. They hang around hard bottom, reefs, and structure in 30-180 feet of water year-round, though spring and summer see the most activity. What makes them fun is their aggressive nature and strong fight - they'll dive straight down and try every trick to get back to their hole. The white meat is firm and sweet, making great fish tacos. Here's the key: they're notorious bait stealers with small mouths, so use small hooks and chunk baits like squid. When you feel that first nibble, don't wait - set the hook immediately or they'll clean you out.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are serious fighters that can reach 30+ pounds and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. These torpedo-shaped predators patrol the Gulf in 40-150 feet of water, often around structure or baitfish schools. Spring and fall migrations bring the best fishing when water temps hit 70-80 degrees. Guests target them for the raw power - kings are among the fastest fish in the Gulf and will peel line like nobody's business. The meat is rich and flavorful, though higher in oil content. My go-to setup is stinger rigs with live bait since kings often bite the tail section first. Use wire leader and keep your drag smooth - these fish will find any weak spot in your tackle.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, typically running 2-8 pounds with occasional trophy fish hitting 15+ pounds. These bright red beauties live around structure in 30-100 feet of water - think reefs, ledges, and artificial habitat. Peak season runs May through September when they're most active. What makes them special? They fight hard for their size and taste even better on the plate - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying. The key to landing more snapper is keeping your bait right on bottom and setting the hook fast when you feel that first tap. They'll steal your bait quick if you hesitate, so stay ready and reel tight.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are silver rockets that'll give you an arm workout on light tackle. These 1-3 pound speedsters cruise the Gulf in large schools, usually within a few miles of shore in 15-40 feet of water. Spring through fall brings the best action, especially when baitfish are thick. What guests love is their aggressive strikes and fast runs - they hit hard and don't give up easy. Plus they're excellent eating with mild, flaky meat that's great smoked or grilled. The trick to catching more is using small shiny spoons or live shrimp and keeping your boat moving slowly. When you find a school, work it fast because they move constantly and spook easily.
5.0 out of 5.02nd time out with Captain Steve. He has over delivered both times. Would highly recommend,and will be going back.
Captain Steve is highly skilled and professional, ensuring we found the best spots. Logan, our deckhand, ensured no hook went un-b...
Gulf Shores