Offshore Fishing Charter in Dauphin Island
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore charter targeting grouper, tuna, wahoo, and amberjackTravels up to 70 miles into Gulf watersFullday fishing with gear, bait, and ice included
When you're ready to leave the inshore crowds behind and chase the big boys in deep water, Captain T's 12-hour offshore charter is where serious anglers come to play. We're talking about a full day that'll take you up to 70 miles into the Gulf of Mexico, hitting structure in 100 to 250 feet of water where the grouper stack up thick and the amberjack patrol like underwater bulldogs. This isn't your typical half-day trip – it's designed for anglers who want to maximize their time on productive bottom and experience what offshore fishing in Alabama is really about.
Your day starts early at Dauphin Island, where we'll load up with everything you need for a successful offshore run. The boat heads southeast into some of the most consistent fishing zones in the northern Gulf, targeting natural bottom, artificial reefs, and oil rigs that hold incredible concentrations of fish. You'll spend most of your time bottom fishing with heavy tackle, dropping baits down to where red snapper, grouper, and amberjack call home. The beauty of this 12-hour format is we're not rushing – when the bite is hot, we stay put and capitalize. When it slows down, we move to fresh structure. Between January 15 and April 15, things get even more exciting as we add pelagic fishing to the mix, trolling for wahoo and yellowfin tuna that migrate through these waters during cooler months. Pack your own food and drinks, plus a cooler for your cleaned fish – trust me, you'll need the space.
The backbone of this trip is serious bottom fishing with conventional reels spooled with 50 to 80-pound test. We're talking heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and chunk baits that'll entice everything from 20-pound red snapper to monster goliath grouper. The technique is straightforward but requires patience – drop your bait to the bottom, engage your reel, and stay alert for that telltale thump of a fish picking up your offering. When the seasonal window opens up from mid-January through mid-April, we switch gears and add trolling to the program. High-speed trolling with diving plugs and rigged ballyhoo is the ticket for wahoo, while slower trolling and chunking can produce yellowfin tuna. The versatility of targeting both bottom dwellers and pelagic species in the same trip is what sets this charter apart from shorter alternatives. All rods, reels, bait, and ice are provided, so you can focus on fishing instead of gear management.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf, capable of hitting 60 mph and making screaming runs that'll test your drag system and your nerves. These silver missiles typically run 15 to 40 pounds in our area, with their razor-sharp teeth requiring wire leaders for any chance of landing them. The best wahoo action happens during the cooler months when they follow baitfish closer to the rigs and natural bottom we fish. What makes them so exciting is the explosive strike – one second you're trolling along, the next your reel is singing as a wahoo tears off 200 yards of line. Yellowfin tuna are the powerhouses that'll give you the workout of a lifetime. These fish are pure muscle, typically running 20 to 60 pounds in our waters, and they fight with a determination that'll leave your arms burning. They're most active during the seasonal window when water temperatures drop, often feeding in schools around floating debris or working baitfish near the surface. The key to success is staying mobile and watching for bird activity or surface disturbances that signal feeding fish below. Red snapper remain the bread and butter of Gulf bottom fishing, and for good reason – they're abundant, aggressive, and absolutely delicious on the table. These reef dwellers typically run 5 to 15 pounds in our area, though bigger fish are always possible around deeper structure. They respond well to cut bait, live bottom fish, and even artificial jigs when they're feeding aggressively. The beauty of snapper fishing is consistency – while other species might be finicky, red snapper are usually willing to cooperate if you put bait in front of them. Goliath grouper are the true giants of the reef, with fish over 200 pounds patrolling the deeper structure we fish. These prehistoric-looking fish are catch-and-release only, but landing one is still a bucket-list experience for any serious angler. They're ambush predators that inhale baits with surprising speed for their size, then head straight for the rocks with unstoppable power. The fight is more about leverage and patience than speed – it's you against a fish that might outweigh you, using structure to its advantage.
This 12-hour offshore charter represents some of the best fishing value you'll find on the Alabama coast. With access to deep water structure, seasonal pelagic opportunities, and enough time to really work the fish, it's perfect for anglers who want to experience what the Gulf of Mexico has to offer beyond the typical inshore scene. The 6-person capacity keeps things manageable while splitting costs among your group, and the included tackle package means you can fly in from anywhere and still fish effectively. Whether you're after a cooler full of red snapper for the freezer, the adrenaline rush of a wahoo strike, or the satisfaction of battling a triple-digit goliath grouper, this trip delivers the goods. Captain T knows these waters and the seasonal patterns that make the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Meet the Way, a rugged 31-foot AmeraCat that's built for serious Gulf fishing adventures. Twin 300hp Yamahas push this offshore workhorse through Gulf swells with confidence, while her stable catamaran hull keeps you comfortable during those long runs to deep water. The boat's loaded with everything you need for productive fishing - GPS and radar for navigation, fish finder to mark the bottom structure where grouper and amberjack hide, plus a live bait tank to keep your offerings fresh. The spacious deck gives six anglers plenty of room to fight fish without tangling lines, and the icebox keeps your drinks cold during those hot Gulf days. A skilled first mate handles the details so you can focus on hooking up with tuna, wahoo, and bottom dwellers in 100-250 feet of water. Whether you're dropping jigs on offshore rigs or trolling for pelagics, the Way delivers the stability and fishability you want for serious Gulf Coast angling.
Epinephelus ItajaraGoliath grouper are the monsters of our reefs - these giants can reach 400+ pounds and live around structure in 60-150 feet. They're protected, so it's strictly catch-and-release, but hooking one is a bucket-list experience. These fish are ambush predators that live in caves and ledges, and when they eat your bait, it feels like you're hooked to a truck. Summer months offer the best chances when they're most active. What makes them special is pure size and power - that first pull will surprise even experienced anglers. Use heavy tackle with 50-80 class reels and 20/0 circle hooks. Pro tip: anchor close enough to the structure to get their attention, but far enough away that you can pull them out before they dive back into the rocks and break you off.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the bread and butter of Gulf bottom fishing, typically running 2-8 pounds with the occasional 15+ pounder mixed in. They live on hard bottom, reefs, and structure in 60-200 feet of water, and they're scrappy fighters that'll head straight for cover when hooked. These fish are active year-round, but summer and fall produce the best action. What anglers love is the combination of good eating - sweet, white meat - and that satisfying thump when they hit your bait. Fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish work great, but here's a local trick: when they're being finicky, drop down a small piece of fresh squid on a lighter jig head. The subtle action often triggers bites when heavier rigs get ignored.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped predators can hit 60 mph and usually run 3-5 feet long, though bigger ones show up. They cruise the open Gulf waters and hang around oil rigs, staying in the upper 60 feet. January through April is prime time here in Alabama waters when they move through during cooler months. What makes them special is that lightning-fast initial run that'll test your drag and the fact they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: use wire leaders because their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. High-speed trolling with skirted lures at 12-15 knots is your best bet to trigger strikes from these speed demons.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are the heavy hitters of our January-April pelagic season, with most fish running 60+ pounds and the occasional 200-pounder showing up. These warm-blooded speedsters live in the top 300 feet of open water and travel in schools following bait. They're pure muscle - that first run will make your arms burn, and they don't quit easy. The meat is top-shelf sushi grade, firm and rich. We find them best on calm days when we can see birds working or debris lines holding bait. Chunking with live bait often works when trolling doesn't produce. Here's the key: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - they'll fight harder and longer if you try to muscle them up too fast.
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