Orange Beach Inshore Fall/Winter Fishing Special
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing trips targeting five popular speciesFall and winter seasons offer cooler weather and excellent fishingSmall group experience with maximum two guests per charter
When the crowds thin out and the water cools down, that's when Orange Beach really starts to shine for serious anglers. Our fall and winter inshore fishing charters give you the perfect chance to target some of Alabama's best fish without the summer heat beating down on you. Captain and crew at Fishing made EZY know exactly where these fish hang out during the cooler months, and we'll put you right on top of them. This half-day adventure runs 4-6 hours and accommodates up to 2 anglers, making it perfect for couples, father-son trips, or just when you want a more personalized fishing experience.
We launch early to catch the best bite times, heading into Orange Beach's productive inshore waters where the fish stack up during fall and winter. The cooler weather makes for comfortable fishing conditions - no sweating through your shirt or dealing with afternoon thunderstorms. You'll be casting around grass flats, working creek mouths, and hitting structure where these inshore species love to feed. The water clarity improves significantly during these months, which means you can actually watch fish attack your bait sometimes. We provide all the tackle and bait you'll need, from live shrimp to artificial lures that have been proven winners in these waters. The captain will coach you through different techniques depending on what we're targeting and what the fish are doing that day.
Orange Beach inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. During fall and winter, we focus heavily on live bait fishing with shrimp under popping corks - this setup is deadly on speckled trout and redfish when they're feeding in the shallows. We'll also throw artificial baits like soft plastics and topwater plugs when the fish are more aggressive. The key spots we hit include the grass beds near Perdido Pass, the backwater areas around Cotton Bayou, and the deeper cuts where fish move during cold fronts. Water temperatures in the 60s and 70s keep these fish active but not scattered like they get in summer heat. We use light tackle to make every fish feel like a trophy, and the captain will adjust techniques based on tides, wind, and what the fish are telling us through the day.
Southern Flounder become the stars of the show during fall and winter months around Orange Beach. These flatfish move into shallow waters to feed before their winter migration, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. Look for them around 14-20 inches, though we regularly see fish pushing 24 inches or better. They love live shrimp bounced along the bottom near structure, and watching one inhale your bait is something special. The best action happens during moving tides when they're actively hunting.
Florida Pompano are another winter favorite that gets every angler excited. These gorgeous fish with their deep bodies and forked tails are fantastic table fare and put up a surprisingly strong fight for their size. We typically catch them in the 12-16 inch range, though larger specimens show up regularly. They cruise the sandy areas looking for small crabs and sand fleas, making them perfect targets for light tackle fishing. Pompano are one of those fish that once you catch one, you'll be hooked on targeting them.
Black Drum might not win any beauty contests, but they'll test your drag system and your arm strength. During cooler months, we find them in good numbers around oyster bars and structure where they're crushing crabs and shrimp. Fish in the 20-30 inch range are common, with some real bruisers over 40 inches showing up to make your day memorable. They're powerful fighters that use their broad sides to pull hard, and they're surprisingly good eating in the smaller sizes.
Sheepshead fishing really heats up when the water cools down, and these convict-striped fish are some of the most challenging and rewarding targets in our waters. They hang around any kind of structure - docks, pilings, rocks, oyster bars - using their strong teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. The trick is feeling their subtle bite and setting the hook before they steal your bait. Most run 12-16 inches with occasional fish over 18 inches that'll make your day. They're excellent table fare and provide some of the most technical fishing you'll find inshore.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Orange Beach inshore fishing, and fall/winter fishing can produce some genuine giants. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the shallows looking for an easy meal, and when they find your bait, you'll know it immediately. We catch them from schoolie size around 20 inches up to true bulls over 30 inches that'll take you to the cleaners if you're not ready. They're aggressive feeders during cooler months, making them ideal targets for both live bait and artificials. The sight of a big redfish tailing in shallow water will get your heart pumping every time.
Fall and winter inshore fishing in Orange Beach offers some of the year's most consistent action without the summer crowds and heat. With only 2 spots available per trip, you get personalized attention from an experienced captain who knows these waters inside and out. The fish are hungry, the weather is comfortable, and the fishing is as good as it gets. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fish in the cooler or just enjoy a relaxing day on the water, this charter delivers exactly what you're after. Don't wait - the best dates book up fast, especially during the cooler months when conditions are perfect for fishing.
Set out for Orange Beach's productive inshore waters aboard our dependable 22' Sportsman 227 Masters center console. This 2016 workhorse runs smooth with its 150HP Yamaha 4-stroke, reaching cruising speeds up to 37 knots to get you on the fish fast. The spacious cockpit gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to cast and fight those speckled trout and redfish that call these coastal waters home. Our wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking shallow flats, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure holding mangrove snapper and sheepshead. Fall and winter fishing in Orange Beach means cooler temps, fewer crowds, and hungry fish - this boat's built to handle the conditions and get you into the action whether you're working grass beds or fishing around docks and pilings.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters - these bruisers can push 30+ pounds and will test your tackle. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws designed for crushing oysters and crabs, making that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. You'll find them around oyster bars, shallow flats, and creek mouths, especially during spring spawning when they school up. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. What guests love is the raw power - big drums will drag you around for a solid fight. Spring is prime time when they congregate in shallow water to spawn. My go-to tip for black drum is using fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and be patient - they're notorious for picking up the bait, moving off slowly, then absolutely crushing it when they decide to commit.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are hands down one of the best eating fish in these waters - their buttery, delicate meat commands top dollar at restaurants for good reason. These silver beauties have distinctive yellow fins and run 12-15 inches typically, though we catch some real slabs pushing 3-4 pounds. They travel in schools along our beaches, feeding in the surf on sand fleas, mollusks, and small crabs. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're moving through our area. Despite their size, pompano fight way above their weight class - they're part of the jack family and will make screaming runs that'll surprise you. The secret to consistent pompano fishing is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or sand fleas, and fishing just outside the second sandbar where they cruise looking for food stirred up by the waves.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing - copper-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near the tail that fools predators. Around Orange Beach, we typically see fish from 18-28 inches, with some real bulls pushing 35+ inches offshore. They love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and winter are fantastic when they school up in big numbers. What makes redfish special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're great eating in the slot size range. They'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. My best advice for consistent redfish action is to look for nervous water or tailing fish on calm days, then make long, quiet casts ahead of where they're moving - spook one and you'll often blow out the whole school.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the fishing world with those distinctive black bars across their silver bodies, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs. They average 2-4 pounds around here, though we see some real doormat sheepshead pushing 8+ pounds. These fish stick tight to structure - bridge pilings, docks, jetties, anywhere with barnacles and crabs to munch on. Fall and winter are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with a delicate bite, then put up a surprising scrap when hooked. The meat is excellent - sweet, white fillets that are worth the effort. The trick to catching sheepshead is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, getting your bait right against the structure, and setting the hook at the first sign of weight - they'll steal your bait in seconds if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms and can change color to match their surroundings. You'll recognize them by both eyes being on the left side of their head and their mottled brown pattern. Most run 15-18 inches around here, but we see some pushing 25+ inches in deeper water. They love shallow bays, grass flats, and around structure during fall and winter when they're moving toward passes to spawn. What makes them special is they're ambush predators that hit hard and taste fantastic - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The key to landing more flounder is fishing slow with live shrimp or mud minnows right on bottom. I always tell folks to count to three after feeling the bite before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around and swallow it properly.
Orange Beach, AL