Dauphin Island Wreck Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Fullservice wreck fishing trips with all gear and licenses includedDaily departures from Dauphin Island Marina or Fort Morgan pickupSmall group charters accommodating up to six guests maximum
Looking for serious action on Alabama's Gulf Coast? DI Reef Monster's wreck fishing charters out of Dauphin Island put you right where the big fish live. We're talking about fishing the structure that holds everything from hard-fighting cobia to screaming king mackerel runs. No need to stress about gear, licenses, or bait – we've got all that covered so you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat. With daily trips for up to 6 anglers, we'll get you on the wrecks where the action never stops.
Your day starts easy – meet us at Dauphin Island Marina or we can grab you at Fort Morgan if that works better. Once we're loaded up, it's a straight shot to some of the most productive wreck sites in the northern Gulf. These aren't your average fishing spots – we're talking about sunken ships, oil rigs, and artificial reefs that create underwater cities packed with game fish. The structure draws baitfish, and where there's bait, there's everything else swimming around looking for an easy meal. Weather permitting, we fish rain or shine, seven days a week. The boat's set up for comfort with plenty of shade, and we keep the coolers stocked with ice and bottled water so you can stay hydrated while working the rods.
Wreck fishing is all about precision and the right approach. We'll anchor up-current from the structure and drift live bait down to where the fish are holding, or position ourselves to cast jigs and live baits right into the sweet spots. Depending on what's biting, we might run multiple techniques – bottom fishing with cut bait for the sheepshead, free-lining live pilchards for cobia, or trolling the edges for kings and Spanish mackerel. The tackle we use is matched to the fish we're after: heavy enough to pull big cobia off the wreck, but sensitive enough to feel those light sheepshead bites. GPS and fish finders help us stay on the most productive spots, but it's really about reading the water and knowing how different species use the structure throughout the day.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of the wreck scene, and they're usually the first to show up when we start fishing. These guys average 2-4 pounds but fight like they're twice that size, making screaming runs that'll test your drag. Best action typically happens spring through fall, especially when the water temperature's in the 70s. They love small jigs, spoons, and live bait, and once you find a school, it's often fish after fish until they move on. What makes them so exciting is that explosive strike – one second your bait's sinking, the next your rod's bent double and line's peeling off.
King Mackerel are the apex predators we're really after when we hit these wrecks. These toothy missiles can push 30-40 pounds or more, and when a big king hits, you know it immediately. They're most active from late spring through early fall, cruising the wreck edges looking for schools of bait. We'll troll live baits or pull them off the bottom with big jigs, and the fight is absolutely wild – long runs, jumps, and that classic king mackerel head-shaking that'll test every knot you tied. Landing a big king off a wreck is what keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of wreck fishing – they're everywhere around the structure, but getting them to commit takes skill. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs off the wreck, which makes them incredibly light biters. They average 2-6 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 8-10 pounds. Winter and spring are prime time, when they stack up thick around the structure. The key is fresh bait, light tackle, and lightning-fast hook sets. When you master sheepshead fishing, you've really learned how to read subtle bites and work structure effectively.
Crevalle Jack bring pure muscle to the mix – these golden bulldogs will test your arms and your tackle. They school around wrecks in big numbers, especially in warmer months, and when you hook into a school, it's game on. Jacks average 3-8 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, making powerful runs and never giving up until they're in the boat. They'll eat almost anything – jigs, live bait, cut bait – and they're not shy about it. What makes jack fishing so addictive is the consistency: when they're around, you can usually count on steady action.
Cobia are the prize catch that makes every wreck angler's heart race. These brown sharks (they're not actually sharks, but they sure look like it) can reach 30-50 pounds and are incredibly strong fighters. Spring and summer are peak season when they cruise the wrecks looking for crabs and small fish. Cobia are sight feeders, so when we spot one, we can actually target individual fish with live bait or jigs. The fight is legendary – powerful runs, dogged determination, and enough size to really put a bend in heavy tackle. Landing a big cobia off a wreck is a bucket-list experience that never gets old.
Dauphin Island's wrecks fish well year-round, but each season brings different opportunities and target species. Our top-rated charter puts you on the most productive structure with all the gear and local knowledge you need to make it happen. Six-angler capacity means you get personal attention and room to fish comfortably, while our worry-free approach lets you focus on the fishing instead of the logistics. Whether you're after your first king mackerel or you're a seasoned wreck angler looking for that
Get ready to hit the Alabama Gulf waters aboard our 31' Twin Vee 310 TE catamaran! This 2018 beauty packs twin 600HP Suzuki engines that'll cruise you out to the wrecks at 45 knots while keeping things smooth and stable. The cat hull design cuts through chop like butter, so you can focus on what matters – landing fish instead of fighting seasickness. We've got all the electronics you need: GPS to find those productive spots, radar for safety, and a quality fish finder to locate schools around the structure. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to spread out and work the water without bumping elbows. The twin engine setup gives us redundancy and power to get you out to those offshore wrecks where the big ones live. Whether we're targeting snapper, grouper, or whatever's biting around the artificial reefs, this rig has the range and fishability to make it happen. Clean fishing platform, stable casting deck, and enough speed to maximize your time with lines in the water.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the laid-back giants of our Gulf waters, averaging 20-50 pounds with their dark brown shark-like appearance fooling many first-time anglers. These loners prefer structure like reefs, wrecks, and oil rigs, usually in 30-100 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best fishing when they move through in good numbers, though we see them year-round. What makes cobia special is their curious nature and excellent fight, plus they're top-shelf eating with firm white meat. Unlike most fish, they'll often approach the boat and check you out. Sight fishing is king here - look for that dark shadow cruising near the surface. When you spot one, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them and be patient. They'll usually eat if you don't spook them.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bulldogs of the Gulf, typically running 3-15 pounds of pure muscle with their brassy gold coloring. These aggressive hunters roam both shallow flats and deeper waters, but your best bet is finding them busting bait on the surface. They're active year-round in our warm waters, though spring and summer offer the most consistent action. What makes jacks special is their raw power - pound for pound, few fish fight harder or pull more line. They're not great table fare, but the sport is addictive. Look for diving birds working bait schools, then cast silver spoons or topwater plugs past the school and work them back fast. Here's a tip: when you spot them feeding, approach from upwind so you don't spook the school with your engine noise.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the speed demons of the Gulf, averaging 20-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds during peak season. These silver torpedoes cruise the deeper waters from 40-150 feet, usually along the continental shelf and around offshore structure. Summer through early fall brings the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot. What gets people hooked is their blistering runs - they'll strip line like nothing else and test both your drag and nerves. The meat is rich and makes excellent smoked fish. For kings, you need wire leaders and either live bait or fast-moving lures. Pro tip: use a stinger hook setup when live baiting because these fish attack from behind, and always be ready for that initial screaming run.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the masters of structure fishing around here, typically weighing 2-8 pounds with those famous black stripes earning them the "convict fish" nickname. They hang tight to dock pilings, bridge supports, and any barnacle-covered structure where they can crunch on crabs and mollusks with their human-like teeth. Winter and early spring are your best bet when they move shallow to spawn. These fish are pure table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any Gulf species. The challenge is their notorious bait-stealing habits and light bites. Here's the key: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get right up against the structure, and the moment you feel weight, set that hook hard. They'll test your patience, but the reward is worth it.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are one of our most reliable Gulf Coast targets, usually running 1-3 pounds with their sleek silver bodies and distinctive yellow spots. These speedsters love to school up near the surface, especially around structure and bait balls. Spring through fall are prime times when they move through our waters, with summer being absolutely stellar. You'll find them anywhere from just outside the surf to several miles offshore, often in 20-60 feet of water. What makes them so popular is their aggressive strikes and steady fight - plus they're fantastic on the table with mild, flaky meat perfect for grilling. My go-to trick is trolling small spoons or jigs behind the boat at 4-6 knots. When you hook into a school, stop the boat immediately and cast back to them with light tackle.
Dauphin Island, AL