Orange Beach 4-Hour Afternoon Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing adventure in Orange Beach watersAccommodates up to two guests with all skill levels welcomeProfessional charter service targeting limit catches and trophy fish
When the afternoon sun hits the Gulf waters just right, that's when Double A Charters fires up the engines for what locals know is prime fishing time. This 4-hour afternoon trip targets the productive inshore and nearshore waters around Orange Beach, where the fishing stays hot even when other boats are heading back to dock. You'll have up to 2 anglers aboard, which means plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from your captain. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, this trip is built to put fish in the boat and smiles on faces.
The afternoon bite around Orange Beach has a reputation for producing consistent action, and Double A Charters knows exactly where to find it. You'll launch from one of Alabama's top-rated fishing ports and quickly make your way to proven honey holes where the fish are feeding. The beauty of afternoon trips is that you're hitting prime time when many species are actively hunting baitfish in the shallows and along structure. Your captain will read the conditions - tide, wind, and water clarity - to put you on the best spots. The boat is rigged with quality tackle and all the gear you need, so just bring your fishing license and get ready to bend some rods. These waters offer incredible variety, from shallow grass flats perfect for sight fishing to nearshore reefs where bigger game lurks.
Orange Beach inshore fishing is all about adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Your captain will have multiple game plans ready, from working live bait around structure to throwing artificials over grass beds. You might find yourself drift fishing over sandy bottoms, casting jigs near pilings, or trolling along weed lines where predators ambush prey. The boat carries an arsenal of tackle - from light spinning gear perfect for trout and redfish to heavier conventional setups when kings and cobia show up. Live shrimp, pinfish, and croakers are go-to baits, but don't be surprised if your guide breaks out some local secret weapons. The key to success here is staying mobile and letting the fish tell you what they want. One minute you're working shallow water for reds, the next you're dropping baits in 30 feet targeting bigger bottom dwellers.
Cobia are the crown jewel of Alabama inshore fishing, and Orange Beach waters produce some real bruisers. These curious fish often cruise near the surface around structure and buoys, making them perfect sight-fishing targets. Peak season runs from March through September, with fish ranging from 20 to 50+ pounds. What makes cobia so exciting is their aggressive nature - they'll follow baits to the boat and often eat right at your feet. When hooked, they make long, powerful runs that test both angler and tackle.
Tripletail might be the quirkiest fish you'll encounter on this trip. These ambush predators love floating debris, channel markers, and anything that provides shade. They're masters of camouflage, often looking like floating leaves until they strike. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish averaging 3 to 8 pounds. Anglers love tripletail because they're excellent table fare and provide a fun challenge with their habit of rolling and jumping when hooked.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate inshore ambush predators, burying themselves in sand and mud waiting for unsuspecting prey. Orange Beach flats and channels hold good numbers, especially during their fall migration from September through November. These fish require patience and finesse, often inhaling baits so gently you'll miss the bite if you're not paying attention. A good flounder makes for fantastic eating and bragging rights among local anglers.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped thieves of the inshore world, famous for stealing bait with surgical precision. Around Orange Beach's abundant structure - bridges, docks, and artificial reefs - sheepshead congregate in good numbers, particularly in cooler months. These fish demand respect with their crushing bite powered by human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs. Landing a quality sheepshead requires skill, patience, and quick reflexes.
King Mackerel patrol the nearshore waters around Orange Beach, offering some of the most explosive action you'll find. These speed demons can reach 40+ mph and make blistering runs that will have your drag screaming. Spring through fall produces the best king fishing, with fish ranging from "snake kings" around 10 pounds to true trophies pushing 30+ pounds. Kings are notorious for their aerial displays and never-give-up attitude, making them a customer favorite for pure adrenaline.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Orange Beach inshore fishing. These beautiful fish inhabit grass flats, channel edges, and around structure throughout the year, with peak action in spring and fall. Trout are incredibly cooperative, often schooling in good numbers and providing steady action when other species aren't cooperating. They're also excellent eating and perfect for anglers looking to learn proper fish handling techniques.
Redfish are perhaps Alabama's most beloved inshore species, and Orange Beach waters hold some real bulls. These copper-colored bruisers can be found in everything from skinny water flats to deeper channels, with year-round fishing opportunities. Reds are famous for their bulldogging fights, using their broad tails and powerful bodies to test your tackle. Slot-sized fish provide fantastic eating, while oversized bulls offer pure sporting excitement with their never-quit attitude and tendency to head straight for the nearest structure when hooked.
Double A Charters has built their reputation on putting anglers on fish, and this 4-hour afternoon trip delivers exactly what Orange Beach fishing is famous for. With personalized attention for just 2 guests, quality tackle, and a captain who knows
Hit the productive waters of Orange Beach aboard our well-equipped motorboat designed for serious fishing. This reliable vessel comes loaded with everything you need for a successful afternoon on the water - an ice box to keep your catch fresh, GPS navigation to hit the best spots, and a fish finder to locate where the action is happening. The wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly into position without spooking the fish, perfect for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the shallow inshore waters. With space for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're working the grass flats, structure fishing around oyster bars, or drifting the channels, this boat handles the varied terrain of Orange Beach's inshore fishery with ease. The afternoon bite can be hot when you're in the right spots with the right setup.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the most unique fish we target - they look like sharks swimming near the surface but pack way more fight. These brown, torpedo-shaped bruisers average around 30-50 pounds, with some pushing 80+. We find them cruising shallow waters around 30-70 feet, often near buoys, wrecks, and structure. Spring through fall is prime time when they're migrating and spawning. What makes them special is their incredible table fare - firm, white meat that rivals any offshore fish. They're usually solo swimmers, so spotting one is always exciting. Here's the key: when you see a cobia, don't cast right at it. Lead them by 10-15 feet and let your bucktail jig sink as they approach - they'll ambush it every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are pure speed and power, making blistering runs that'll test your drag and skills. These silver rockets typically weigh 15-30 pounds, with trophy fish pushing 50+ pounds. We find them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, drop-offs, and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime season as they follow baitfish along our coast. What makes kings special is that explosive initial run - they'll scream line off your reel like few other fish. The meat is rich and oily, great for the grill. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the nose of your live bait, one free-swinging near the tail. Kings often attack from behind, so that stinger hook saves the day.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore prize with their copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. These powerful drum average 5-15 pounds in the shallows, with bull reds offshore reaching 30+ pounds. We target them in 1-4 feet of water around grass flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges year-round, though fall offers the best action. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and willingness to eat topwater lures in skinny water. The meat on smaller fish is sweet and firm. Here's my go-to strategy: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then work a gold spoon or topwater plug slowly through the area. Keep your noise down - redfish are surprisingly spooky in shallow water, but the explosive strikes make it all worthwhile.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing - beautiful fish with gold and black spots that fight harder than their size suggests. Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, though gator trout over 5 pounds are the real prize. We find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in deeper channels, especially at dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action, with winter fish holding in deeper water. The meat is delicate and flaky, but don't overcook it. They're sight feeders that love topwater action in shallow water. Best tip I can share: fish the edges where grass meets sand, and use a popping cork with live shrimp. The sound drives them crazy, and you'll see the strikes coming.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the best eating around. These crafty fish average 2-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure with barnacles: docks, bridges, pilings, and reefs. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. What makes them frustrating and fun is they're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth. The meat is sweet and flaky, worth the effort. Here's the secret: use the smallest hooks you can get away with and keep your bait tight to structure. When you feel them nibbling, set the hook hard immediately - they'll steal your shrimp every time if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 2-5 pounds and 15-18 inches, though doormat-sized fish over 8 pounds show up regularly. We find them in shallow bays, around structure, and near drop-offs where they bury in the sand with just their eyes showing. Fall and winter are prime time as they fatten up before moving offshore. They're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is fishing slow and low - use a bucktail jig or live minnow and keep it bouncing along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and run for a second, then set firm.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are the masters of disguise - they float on their sides mimicking debris until you get close enough to cast. These odd-looking fish average 2-5 pounds but can reach 15+ pounds with their deep, compressed bodies. We spot them floating near the surface around weed lines, buoys, and current breaks year-round, though summer months are best. They're surprisingly acrobatic fighters for their chunky build, and the meat tastes similar to snapper or grouper. The trick with tripletail is stealth - they spook easily. Cast well past them and slowly work your shrimp or crab fly back toward the fish. Let them think they're ambushing your bait rather than the other way around. Sharp gill plates, so handle with care.
Orange Beach