Mobile Bay Scenic Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 6hour afternoon charter departing at 3:00 PM dailyScenic inshore fishing experience across Mobile Bay's picturesque areasAll gear, tackle, and bait included for up to six guests
Picture this: you're cruising through Mobile Bay's calm waters at 3 PM, rod in hand, soaking up the afternoon sun while your captain navigates to the hottest fishing spots. This 6-hour private charter combines the best of both worlds – scenic views of Alabama's premier estuary and some seriously good inshore action. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or looking to show friends why Mobile Bay is a top-rated destination, this trip delivers. With gear, tackle, and bait all sorted for you, the only thing you need to bring is your appetite for a good time on the water.
This isn't your typical dawn patrol fishing trip. Starting at 3 PM gives you the perfect window to enjoy Mobile Bay's stunning afternoon light while the fish start getting active for their evening feed. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – from the grass flats near Causeway Boulevard to the deeper channels around Pinto Island. You'll cruise past historic Fort Morgan, maybe catch sight of dolphins playing in the bow wake, and definitely get some Instagram-worthy shots of the bay's famous sunsets. The boat comfortably handles up to three guests, making it intimate enough for quality instruction but roomy enough that everyone gets plenty of casting opportunities. Don't worry about experience level – whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, your captain will adjust the approach to match your crew's skills.
Mobile Bay's inshore game is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. Your captain will likely start with live bait – shrimp and finger mullet are customer favorites here – rigged on circle hooks for the best hookup rates. Depending on conditions, you might drift the grass beds with popping corks, work structure with jigs, or even throw some artificials if the fish are showing aggressive. The beauty of this bay system is the variety: one minute you're sight-fishing redfish in two feet of crystal-clear water, the next you're bouncing bottom for sheepshead around the old pier pilings. Spinning tackle does most of the heavy lifting here – think 3000 to 4000 series reels spooled with 15-20 lb braid, topped with a fluorocarbon leader. Your captain provides all the gear, but if you've got a lucky rod, feel free to bring it along.
Summer flounder are the bay's hidden gems, and Mobile Bay holds some of the Gulf Coast's best populations. These flatfish love the sandy-bottom areas near the shipping channels, typically running 14-18 inches with the occasional doormat pushing 20-plus. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in the sand, so your captain will have you bouncing bait right along the bottom. Fall and spring offer the best action, but summer evenings can produce when the water cools down. What makes flounder so rewarding is the fight – they pull sideways with surprising strength, and there's nothing quite like watching one come to the surface, both eyes staring up at you.
Sheepshead fishing in Mobile Bay is legendary among local anglers, especially around the concrete structures and bridge pilings. These black-and-white striped fighters average 2-4 pounds but can push 8-10 pounds if you're lucky. They're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth designed to crush barnacles and oysters, so your captain will rig you up with small hooks and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they school up for spawning. The trick is feeling that subtle tap-tap-tap, then setting the hook before they spit the bait. Once hooked, sheepshead make strong runs toward structure, testing your drag and your captain's boat-handling skills.
Redfish are Mobile Bay's poster child, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the grass flats year-round, offering sight-fishing opportunities that'll get your heart pumping. Most bay reds run 18-27 inches – perfect slot size with excellent table fare. Spring and fall bring the best numbers, but summer evenings and winter warm spells can produce explosive action. What sets redfish apart is their versatility: they'll eat live bait, artificials, and everything in between. Watch for their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around in shallow water, then make your cast count. The initial run of a hooked red is pure power – they'll peel line and test your knots like few other inshore species.
Crevalle jack might not win beauty contests, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in Mobile Bay. These silver torpedoes travel in schools and hit baits like freight trains, often jumping multiple times during the fight. Most jacks in the bay run 3-8 pounds, though the occasional 15-pounder will show up to ruin your day in the best possible way. Summer brings the most consistent action, especially when baitfish are thick in the main bay. They're not great table fare, so most get released to fight another day, but the memory of that screaming drag stays with you. Your captain might use them as live bait for bigger predators – few things attract a monster red like a frisky jack on a circle hook.
Mobile Bay's afternoon fishing scene offers something special – world-class inshore action wrapped in a scenic package that works for everyone from hardcore anglers to first-timers just looking for a good time. The 3 PM start time means you'll experience the bay's golden hour magic while the fish turn on for their evening feed. With all gear included and a captain who knows every oyster bar and grass flat worth fishing, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. Keep in mind that deposits are non-refundable, so plan accordingly, but also know you're
Meet Sea Thriller, your ticket to Mobile Bay's best inshore fishing spots. This 2008 Sea Pro 24-footer cuts through the water with authority thanks to her 225HP Mercury engine, hitting speeds up to 35 knots when you need to chase the action. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to work their lines while the captain navigates to productive waters. She's loaded with everything serious anglers need - a fish finder to locate schools, GPS to mark your hotspots, and a wireless trolling motor for those quiet approaches that don't spook the fish. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those afternoon sessions when the sun gets intense. Whether you're targeting redfish in the grass flats, working speckled trout along the drop-offs, or casting for flounder around structure, Sea Thriller handles it all. Her shallow draft gets you into those skinny water honey holes while her stable platform makes fighting fish a pleasure, not a wrestling match. Perfect for small groups who want to experience Mobile Bay's scenic beauty while putting some quality fish in the cooler.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bruisers that'll test your drag and your arms. These golden-green missiles typically run 3-8 pounds in the bay, but the big boys can hit 15+ and feel twice that size. Look for them around bait schools in 10-30 feet of water, especially near drop-offs and current breaks. They're here year-round but really turn on during warmer months when baitfish are thick. Guests love them because they fight like freight trains - long, powerful runs that'll make your reel scream. They hunt in packs too, so where you find one, there's usually more. Not great table fare, but pure adrenaline on the rod. Watch for diving birds to locate feeding schools, then cast silver spoons or fast-moving jigs right into the chaos. Keep that retrieve moving fast - they want something that looks like it's trying to escape.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Mobile Bay, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with the signature black spots average 20-28 inches and put up a serious fight in shallow water. They cruise grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring are peak when they're most aggressive. What guests love is the visual element - watching these bronze torpedoes cruise the shallows and that powerful run when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The key is staying quiet and casting ahead of them as they move along structure. Topwater plugs at dawn and dusk will get their attention, but a live shrimp under a popping cork near oyster bars is hard to beat for consistent action.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of the bay - those human-like teeth make them bait-stealing experts around any structure. We typically catch them 2-6 pounds, but 10+ pounders aren't rare around the right spots. They love barnacle-crusted pilings, bridge supports, and oyster bars where they can pick off crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season (February through April) is prime time when they stack up thick. Guests love the challenge because these "convict fish" with their black stripes are tricky to hook but fight hard once you do. Plus, they're some of the best eating in the bay - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort to clean. My advice: use a small circle hook with fresh shrimp, get tight to the structure, and when you feel them nibbling, set that hook hard before they steal your bait.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are masters of disguise, changing color to match the bottom while they wait to ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches here in Mobile Bay, but we've pulled some real doormat-sized ones pushing 5+ pounds. They hug sandy bottoms in 8-25 feet of water, especially around drop-offs and channel edges. Fall through early winter gives you the best shot when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them fun is that sneaky bite - they'll mouth your bait before committing, so you need patience. The meat is white, flaky, and perfect eating. Pro tip: use a bucktail jig with a strip of squid or gulp bait, and work it slow right along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, give it a second before setting the hook.
Mobile Bay And Surrounding Areas