Red Snapper Trip - Gulf Shore Offshore Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore Red Snapper fishing adventure in Gulf Shore watersExpert crew guides guests to prime fishing locationsSmall group experience accommodating up to 3 guests
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of the Gulf's tastiest fish? Our Red Snapper Trip puts you right where the action is, working the deeper waters off Gulf Shore where these prized bottom dwellers stack up thick. This isn't your typical half-day deal - we're talking a full 6-hour charter that gives you real time to dial in on the bite and fill your cooler. Whether you've been bottom fishing for years or you're ready to graduate from pier fishing, our crew knows exactly where to put you on the fish when they're feeding.
We're running a tight ship with room for up to 3 anglers, which means everyone gets plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from the crew. No fighting for rail space or dealing with crowded conditions - just you and your fishing partners working prime bottom structure in some of the Gulf's most productive waters. The Gulf Shore area offers incredible access to the offshore grounds where red snapper, mackerel, and triggerfish call home. Our captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading the GPS marks, structure, and current conditions to put you on the most active spots. You'll be fishing depths anywhere from 60 to 120 feet, working artificial reefs, natural bottom, and ledges where these fish concentrate. The Gulf Shore coastline provides a perfect launching point, getting you to the productive waters quickly so you can maximize your fishing time.
This is classic Gulf bottom fishing at its finest. We'll be anchored up over productive structure, working heavy sinkers and circle hooks to get your bait down through the current and right in front of hungry fish. The crew will set you up with proper bottom rigs - usually running 6 to 8-ounce weights depending on the current, with 60-80 pound leaders to handle the snapper's razor-sharp teeth and the rough structure below. Live bait is king out here, and we'll have you fishing everything from live pinfish and grunts to cut bait that drives these bottom feeders crazy. You'll learn to feel the difference between a fish picking up your bait and just dragging bottom, and how to set the hook properly with circle hooks. The key is staying tight to the structure where these fish live, and our crew will keep you positioned perfectly over the sweet spots. When the bite gets hot, it's game on - multiple rods bent over and fish coming over the rail one after another.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and for good reason. These hard-fighting fish average 3-8 pounds in our waters, with bigger specimens pushing 15+ pounds when you get lucky. They're smart, structure-oriented fish that live around reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. Red snapper are most active during their season (typically summer months, though regulations change), and they're absolute table fare champions - firm white meat that's perfect for grilling, frying, or making into fish tacos. What makes them exciting to catch is their initial run when hooked, plus they're notorious bait thieves that will test your hook-setting skills.
Spanish Mackerel bring a completely different fight to the table - these speedsters are built for burning runs and acrobatic jumps. Running 1-3 pounds on average, they make up for their size with pure attitude and blazing speed. They're most active in warmer months and often suspend mid-water around structure, feeding on small baitfish. Spanish mackerel have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are essential. They're excellent eating when fresh, and their aggressive strikes make them a favorite for getting new anglers hooked on the sport.
King Mackerel are the heavyweight cousins of Spanish mackerel, and when one grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. These fish can range from 10 pounds up to 40+ pound monsters that will test your tackle and your arms. Kings are pelagic predators that cruise the edges of structure looking for schools of baitfish. They're most active during spring and fall migrations, and they're known for long, powerful runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. The bigger kings are prized for their steaks and their reputation as one of the Gulf's premier game fish.
Grey Triggerfish round out our target species with their unique personality and excellent eating quality. These fish have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish, and they're notorious for their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. Triggerfish are structure-oriented and often found in the same areas as red snapper, typically running 1-4 pounds. They're most active in summer and early fall, and once you figure out their feeding pattern, they can provide steady action. Their firm, white meat is considered by many to be even better than snapper, making them a prized catch despite their smaller size.
This Red Snapper Trip delivers exactly what serious Gulf Shore anglers are looking for - prime bottom fishing action in productive offshore waters with a crew that knows how to put you on fish. Six hours gives you real time to work different spots, adjust to changing conditions, and capitalize when the bite turns on strong. With space for just 3 anglers, you're getting a personalized charter experience that's worlds apart from crowded party boats. Whether you're targeting dinner for the family or looking to add some quality Gulf species to your fishing resume, this trip puts you in the right place with the right techniques. The Gulf Shore waters are calling, and Freebird Charters is ready to put you on some of the best bottom fishing action you'll find anywhere. Don't wait - prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak fishing seasons.
Get ready to chase red snapper aboard our reliable 2009 Blazer Bay center console! This Gulf Shore fishing machine packs a serious 250HP Suzuki engine that'll cruise you out to the prime offshore spots at 35 knots. With room for 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the rails without bumping elbows. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS navigation keeps us on course to the hottest bite zones. When you hook into those trophy reds, our spacious icebox ensures your catch stays fresh for the ride back to the dock. This boat's built for serious fishing action in Gulf waters - perfect for targeting snapper in their deeper haunts where the big ones lurk. Whether you're dropping live bait or working jigs, this center console setup gives everyone clear access to the action all around the boat.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are one of the Gulf's most prized catches, and for good reason. These deep-water fighters typically run 1-2 feet long and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some monsters push 20+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around structure in 30-200 feet of water - reefs, ledges, oil rigs, and rocky bottom. They love temperatures between 60-70 degrees, making spring through early fall prime time. What makes them special? They fight hard all the way to the boat, and the meat is absolutely top-shelf - mild, sweet, and perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local tip: use fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish, and when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit before you hammer down. These fish are smart and will spit a hook if they feel pressure too early.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish might look funny, but they're scrappy fighters with attitude. These tough customers run 12-18 inches and 2-5 pounds on average, with that distinctive leather-like skin and beak mouth. We find them around reefs, ledges, and hard bottom in 30-180 feet of water year-round, though they're most active in warmer months. What makes triggers fun is their personality - they're curious, aggressive, and will hit just about any bait. They fight harder than their size suggests and make great table fare with sweet, firm meat. The trick with triggers is patience. They'll nip and steal bait all day, so use tough baits like squid chunks about an inch wide. Drop it to the bottom with a heavy sinker, keep tight line, and when you feel that nibble, set the hook hard and reel fast. They'll head straight for structure to cut you off.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the big brothers of the mackerel family and absolute speed demons. These fish average 10-30 pounds but can push 50+ pounds, and they're built for one thing - speed. We target them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, drop-offs, and temperature breaks. Peak season runs April through October when they migrate through our waters. What makes kings special is that initial run - nothing matches it. When a big king hits your bait, it's like hooking a freight train. The fights are legendary, and the meat is rich and flavorful, perfect for grilling or smoking. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the nose of your live bait and a treble hook near the tail. Kings attack from behind and will cut you off with those razor teeth if you're not prepared. Keep your drag loose on that first run.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, fun, and tasty - everything you want in a Gulf fish. These silver speedsters typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-4 pounds, but they make up for size with pure speed and acrobatics. You'll find schools of them near the surface around structure, reefs, and even close to shore during warmer months. They're most active spring through fall when water temps hit 70+ degrees. What guests love is the constant action - when you find a school, you can catch them back-to-back. They hit hard, make screaming runs, and often jump. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat that grills perfectly. My go-to trick: use small shiny spoons or live shrimp, but retrieve fast. These fish chase down moving baits, so keep that lure moving or they'll lose interest quick.
Gulf Shores, AL