5 Hour Morning Fishing Trip in Orange Beach, AL
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
5hour inshore fishing adventure with Captain Benjamin KnightTarget 10 species including redfish, speckled trout, and flounderAccommodates up to 2 guests departing at 1:00 PM
Captain Benjamin Knight knows these Orange Beach waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 5-hour inshore adventure kicks off at 1:00 PM and targets the productive backwaters, grass flats, and nearshore structure where Alabama's best gamefish hang out. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques while chasing everything from bull redfish to tasty mangrove snapper. The Gulf Coast inshore scene is legendary for good reason – diverse species, year-round action, and fish that'll test your tackle and skills.
You'll be fishing the prime inshore grounds around Orange Beach, working everything from shallow grass beds to deeper channel edges where the big fish cruise. Captain Benjamin runs a clean, well-equipped boat that's perfect for navigating these waters, whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water or dropping baits around bridge pilings for sheepshead. The 5-hour window gives you real time to fish – not just a quick run-and-gun trip. Expect to move between spots based on tides, weather, and what's biting. Some days you'll be throwing topwater plugs at daybreak, other times you'll be working live shrimp under popping corks. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – you never know what's going to grab your bait next.
Inshore fishing around Orange Beach means adapting to conditions and target species throughout the trip. You'll likely use medium to medium-heavy spinning gear spooled with 15-20 pound braid, perfect for everything from finicky trout to hard-fighting drum. Live bait fishing with shrimp, pinfish, and croakers produces consistent results, especially around structure where snapper and grouper hang out. Artificial lures play a huge role too – soft plastics on jigheads for working grass flats, topwater plugs for early morning redfish action, and spoons for Spanish mackerel when they're running. Captain Benjamin knows when to switch tactics, whether that means moving from deeper water to skinny flats or changing from live bait to artificials based on fish activity. The key is staying mobile and reading the water – something that comes naturally when you fish these spots regularly.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of your bait presentation skills. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around bridge pilings, dock posts, and any hard structure where barnacles and oysters provide easy meals. They've got human-like teeth for crushing shells, and they're notorious bait stealers. The trick is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keeping just enough tension to feel the subtle bite. Most sheepshead here run 2-4 pounds, but doormat-sized fish over 6 pounds show up regularly around the best structure.
Flounder are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud, waiting to nail unsuspecting baitfish. Orange Beach flats hold some quality flatfish, especially during cooler months when they're staging for their offshore spawn. These fish love live mud minnows bounced along the bottom, but soft plastic grubs work great too. A good flounder will fold your rod tip and make runs that surprise anglers who underestimate their fighting ability. Keeper-sized fish start at 14 inches, and the better spots produce 18-20 inch slabs that make excellent table fare.
Speckled trout are probably the most popular inshore species here, and for good reason. They're aggressive, beautiful fish that hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp under corks. Orange Beach grass flats come alive with trout activity, especially during dawn and dusk feeding periods. These fish school up, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. The bite can be subtle or aggressive depending on conditions, but a good trout will make several jumps and test your drag. Slot-sized fish between 15-20 inches are common, with occasional gator trout over 25 inches showing up to make your day.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world. These bottom-dwellers use their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, creating distinctive drumming sounds that give them their name. They're not the prettiest fish, but they make up for it with pure power. A 20-pound drum will test your tackle and patience, making long, steady runs that seem to never end. Blue crab and cut bait work best, fished on the bottom around oyster bars and channel edges. Young drum under 16 inches make good eating, while the big breeders are best released to keep the population strong.
Pompano are considered one of the finest eating fish in the Gulf, and Orange Beach waters hold good numbers during their seasonal runs. These silver bullets prefer sandy bottom areas where they root for sand fleas and small crabs. They're strong fighters for their size, making fast runs and testing light tackle. Pompano are perfect for light spinning gear with small jigs tipped with shrimp or sand fleas. Most fish run 1-3 pounds, but they punch well above their weight class when hooked.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and these waters produce some beautiful specimens. From schooling rats in shallow water to big bull reds over 27 inches, these copper-colored fighters provide some of the most exciting inshore action available. They'll hit live bait, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. The sight of a big red's back and tail breaking the surface in skinny water gets every angler's heart pumping. Slot fish between 16-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the big breeders provide trophy photos and bragging rights.
Man
Captain Benjamin Knight's 2017 Blazer Bay 2400 center console is built for serious inshore fishing in Orange Beach waters. This 24-footer cuts through the gulf with a reliable 250 HP Suzuki outboard, cruising comfortably at 40 knots to get you on the fish fast. The spacious center console design gives everyone room to fight those sheepshead and red fish without getting tangled up in each other's lines. Keep your catch fresh and your drinks cold in the onboard icebox while you target speckled trout, flounder, and mangrove snapper in the productive inshore waters. Whether you're working the grass flats for pompano or hitting structure for triggerfish, this boat handles Orange Beach's variety of fishing spots with ease. Perfect setup for up to 6 anglers looking to get into some solid gulf coast action.
Orange Beach, AL