Half Day Offshore Fishing Trip - Fort Morgan
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Four-hour offshore charter targeting snapper, kingfish, and amberjackAll fishing gear, licenses, and tackle included with charterCustomizable trip based on conditions and guest preferences
Looking for a solid half-day fishing adventure that won't eat up your whole vacation? This 4-hour offshore charter from Gulf Shores puts you right in the action up to 9 miles off the Alabama coast. Whether you're itching to drop lines on the bottom or pull some lures through the water column, Captain and crew at Fishin Four Kings know exactly where the fish are biting. With a small group of just 3 anglers max, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your techniques. All your licenses, rods, reels, bait, and tackle are sorted – just show up ready to fish.
This trip is all about flexibility and fish-finding. Once you clear the pass and hit the Gulf waters, your captain reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days the bottom bite is hot with snapper and amberjack crushing baits near structure, while other trips call for trolling spread targeting kings and Spanish mackerel in open water. The beauty of this charter is that you're not locked into one style – if the bottom fishing slows down, you can switch to pulling lures and vice versa. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on the most productive spots based on recent reports, weather patterns, and seasonal movements. Expect to work depths anywhere from 40 to 80 feet, depending on what's biting best that day.
The boat comes rigged with quality conventional and spinning tackle suited for Gulf Coast offshore fishing. For bottom fishing, you'll be using circle hooks with cut bait, live bait, or fresh squid depending on what's working. The crew sets you up with appropriate sinker weights to hold bottom in the current, and they'll coach you through proper technique for detecting bites and setting hooks. When trolling, the spread typically includes a mix of spoons, diving plugs, and live bait on downriggers or planers. You'll learn to watch the rods for strikes and how to work fish properly once hooked. The captain handles boat positioning and navigation while you focus on the fishing. All gear is maintained and ready to go – no need to worry about bringing your own equipment unless you prefer fishing with familiar tackle.
Greater Amberjack: These bruising bottom dwellers are Gulf Shores favorites, known for their bulldogging fights and stubborn refusal to come up easy. Amberjack typically hold near wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom in 60-100 feet of water. They'll crush live bait, cut squid, and large jigs worked vertically. Spring through early summer offers the best action before they move deeper in hot weather. Once hooked, expect a serious tug-of-war as they try to wrap you around structure. Landing a quality AJ is a real accomplishment and makes for great table fare when prepared right.
Red Snapper: The crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, red snapper are prized for their excellent eating quality and scrappy fight. These crimson beauties live around structure and hard bottom, feeding on small fish, squid, and crustaceans. They're notorious bait stealers, so sharp hooks and quick reflexes help your hookup ratio. Federal and state seasons vary, but when they're open, snapper fishing is as good as it gets in these waters. Their white, flaky meat is restaurant quality, and catching a cooler full makes for memorable fish dinners back home.
Spanish Mackerel: Fast-moving and aggressive, Spanish mackerel provide non-stop action when schools are located. These silver bullets typically cruise in 20-60 feet of water, feeding heavily on small baitfish. They'll hit small spoons, jigs, and live bait with reckless abandon, often resulting in multiple hookups. Spanish macs are perfect for light tackle fishing and provide excellent sport on spinning gear. While smaller than their king mackerel cousins, they make up for size with sheer numbers and are fantastic smoked or grilled fresh.
Northern Kingfish: Also called king mackerel or simply "kings," these toothy predators are among the most sought-after Gulf Coast game fish. Kings patrol open water and structure edges, ambushing schools of baitfish with lightning speed. They'll demolish trolled baits, live bait, and large spoons pulled at 6-8 knots. Wire leaders are essential due to their razor-sharp teeth. A good king fight involves blazing runs and aerial displays that get everyone's attention on the boat. Prime season runs from spring through fall, with larger fish often caught during cooler months.
This half-day offshore adventure delivers serious fishing without the full-day commitment, making it perfect for families, beginners, or anyone wanting to sample Gulf Coast fishing at its finest. With small group sizes, top-notch equipment, and flexible fishing styles, you're set up for success whether it's your first offshore trip or your hundredth. The combination of bottom fishing and trolling opportunities means you'll experience different techniques and target multiple species in one outing. Book your spot with Fishin Four Kings and get ready to see why Gulf Shores has earned its reputation as one of Alabama's premier fishing destinations. The fish are out there waiting – all you need to do is show up and start reeling.
Hit the Gulf waters aboard this reliable 22-foot Century 2200 cabin cruiser, your ticket to prime offshore fishing grounds up to 9 miles from the Alabama coast. This 2008 walkaround boat gives you easy access to all fishing spots while the 200HP Yamaha engine gets you to the action fast, cruising at 25 knots. Whether you're dropping lines for snapper and amberjack or trolling for kingfish and Spanish mackerel, the onboard fish finder helps locate the best spots. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 4-hour trip, while the GPS ensures you're always on course. With a toilet onboard and space for up to 3 anglers, this setup handles everything from bottom fishing to trolling based on what's biting and what you want to target. All gear, bait, and licenses are covered – just bring your appetite for some serious Gulf Coast fishing action.
Seriola dumeriliThese bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can hit 6 feet and really test your gear. You'll find them around structure and wrecks in 60-200 feet, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. What makes amberjack special is that amber stripe down their side and the serious fight they put up - they'll make long powerful runs that'll have your arms burning. The meat is excellent when prepared right, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. My tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and try to turn their head up quickly. If you let them get back to structure, they'll wrap you up every time. Heavy tackle with 50+ pound line is a must.
Menticirrhus SaxatilisNorthern kingfish might be smaller fish, averaging 10-14 inches, but they pack a surprising punch for their size. These bottom dwellers love sandy areas in 10-40 feet, particularly near structure where they root around for crabs and worms. Late summer is when they're thickest along our shoreline, and you can catch them from the boat or surf fishing. What makes them fun is how they fight - quick, darting runs that keep you on your toes. The white meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for a fish fry. Since they're bottom feeders with that little barbel under their chin, fresh cut squid or bloodworms fished right on the sand work best. Keep your hooks small - they have surprisingly small mouths.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing. Most run 2-8 pounds, but 15+ pounders show up regularly around hard bottom and artificial reefs in 60-150 feet. Summer months are prime time when they're spawning and feeding heavy. What guests love is the consistent action and that sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. They fight harder than you'd expect, making quick dives for cover when hooked. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom fast - they live down there and won't come up to chase. Fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish work best, but keep your drag tight because they'll head straight for the nearest ledge.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll give you a fast-paced fight on light tackle. They typically run 1-3 pounds and travel in schools near the surface, especially around bait pods in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall they're thick along our coast, and when you find one school, there's usually more nearby. Guests enjoy the constant action and how they hit lures hard with their razor-sharp teeth. The meat is rich and oily - perfect for grilling or smoking. They're not picky eaters but wire leaders are essential since they'll cut through mono instantly. Look for diving birds and surface activity - that's where you'll find them feeding. Small silver spoons trolled fast are deadly effective.
Gulf Shores