Full Day Deep Drop Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour deep drop charter targeting snapper and amberjack offshoreTravels up to 60 miles into Gulf of Mexico watersAll gear, bait, tackle and fishing licenses included onboard
When you're serious about fishing the Gulf of Mexico's deepest and most productive waters, In Too Deep Charters delivers exactly what Alabama anglers dream about. This isn't your typical half-day nearshore trip – we're talking about a full 10-hour commitment that takes you up to 60 miles out into the open Gulf, where the big fish live and the reefs hold serious numbers. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish that most weekend warriors never even get a shot at. With space for up to 6 anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between having enough rods in the water and giving everyone plenty of room to fight their fish.
You'll meet the crew before sunrise at Gulf Shores, and once everyone's aboard, it's a steady run out to the deep-drop zones where the real magic happens. The boat is rigged with top-shelf electronics and bottom-fishing gear that can handle anything from 20-pound snappers to bull amberjack pushing 50 pounds or more. Don't worry if you're new to deep-drop fishing – the crew will get you dialed in on the technique, show you how to work the bottom structure, and help you recognize when something big is picking up your bait. Experienced anglers will appreciate the quality tackle and the captain's knowledge of which spots are producing based on current conditions, tide, and seasonal patterns. Your fishing license, bait, tackle, and ice are all covered in the rate, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the cooler. Just remember that the deckhand works purely for tips, and these guys earn every dollar helping you land fish, rigging baits, and keeping the deck organized during the chaos of a hot bite.
Deep-drop fishing is a whole different game than what most people are used to inshore. You're working in 150 to 300 feet of water, using heavy sinkers and stout rods to get your baits down to where the big snappers and amberjack are holding on the structure. The boat's fish finders and GPS will mark the productive ledges, wrecks, and rocky bottom that concentrate fish, and the crew will position you right over the sweet spots. You'll be using circle hooks and natural baits – think cut squid, cigar minnows, and chunks of bonito – dropped straight down to the bottom and worked slowly. When a fish picks up your bait at those depths, you'll know it immediately. The key is keeping steady pressure and letting the circle hook do its job while you crank that fish up from the deep. King mackerel and bonito are often caught while trolling between spots, adding some variety and keeping everyone's adrenaline up during the longer runs between productive areas.
Red Snapper remain the crown jewel of Gulf Coast bottom fishing, and Alabama's offshore reefs hold some true trophy-class fish. These guys are smart, structure-oriented, and incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag and your patience. Red snapper season typically runs from June through July, and when it's open, these fish are absolutely worth the trip. You'll find them holding tight to rocky bottom and artificial reefs in 80 to 200 feet of water, and a quality red snapper will weigh anywhere from 8 to 25 pounds, with the occasional bruiser pushing 30. What makes them so special is their incredible table fare – there's simply no better eating fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep, and they'll give you a fight that'll have your arms burning and your drag screaming. These fish are available year-round but are particularly active during cooler months when they're feeding heavily on the reefs. A good amberjack will run 20 to 40 pounds, with fish over 50 pounds not uncommon on Alabama's offshore structures. They're ambush predators that hold near the bottom around wrecks and ledges, and when they grab your bait, there's no mistaking it. The initial run of a big amberjack is something every serious angler needs to experience, and the meat is excellent for grilling or smoking.
King Mackerel add speed and excitement to any offshore trip, typically showing up during the warmer months from spring through fall. These fish are built for speed, with razor-sharp teeth and an aggressive feeding style that makes them a blast on lighter tackle. Kings in Alabama waters commonly run 15 to 35 pounds, and they're often caught while trolling between bottom-fishing spots. What makes them special is their willingness to jump and make long, blistering runs that can empty your reel in seconds. They're also outstanding on the dinner table when prepared fresh.
Atlantic Bonito might be smaller than the other target species, but they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter. These fish are built like torpedoes and fight with the heart of something twice their size. Bonito typically show up during cooler months and are often used as bait for bigger fish, but they're also fantastic eating when prepared properly. They school heavily and when you find them, the action can be fast and furious.
Spanish Mackerel round out the species list as opportunistic feeders that add numbers and consistent action to the trip. They're smaller than their king mackerel cousins but make up for it with aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. Spanish mackerel are excellent for novice anglers to cut their teeth on, and they're surprisingly good eating despite their reputation as bait fish.
This full-day deep-drop charter represents serious fishing for serious anglers who want to experience what Alabama's offshore waters have to offer. With 10 hours on the water, professional crew, quality gear, and access to some of the Gulf's most productive fishing grounds, you're looking at a trip that delivers both trophy potential an
Our 28-foot Angler center console is built for serious Gulf fishing adventures. Twin 200HP Mercury engines power this fishing machine up to 60 miles offshore to Alabama's most productive deep-drop zones. The spacious layout comfortably handles 6 anglers while providing plenty of room to work the bottom for trophy Red Snapper and hard-fighting Greater Amberjack. Modern electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate the best reefs and structure where big fish hide. A live well keeps your bait active throughout the 10-hour trip, while the onboard head means more time with lines in the water. The boat comes rigged with high-end bottom fishing gear perfect for dropping baits down to where the monsters live. Whether you're a weekend warrior or seasoned angler, this setup gives you everything needed to load the coolers with Gulf Coast favorites.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are like miniature tuna on steroids - built for speed and always ready to fight. These silver rockets with dark stripes typically run 3-8 pounds and school up in large numbers. They're pelagic fish that cruise mid-water column, usually following baitfish schools in 60+ feet of water. Best fishing is when water temps hit the 60s and 70s during warmer months. What makes them fun is the sheer numbers and their aggressive feeding - when you find a school, it's game on. They hit fast-moving lures hard and fight way above their weight class. Look for diving birds to find feeding schools. They're not great table fare here, but the action more than makes up for it. Quick tip: once you hook one, keep your lure in the water - the school usually stays fired up and you can often catch several before they move on.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed kings of the Gulf and one of our most exciting targets. These silver bullets typically weigh 20-40 pounds, with occasional monsters pushing 50+. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water, often near structure or following baitfish schools. Spring and fall are prime time when they're migrating through our area. What makes them special is that blistering run when hooked - they're nearly as fast as wahoo and will peel line like crazy. The fight is what brings people back, plus they make decent eating if you bleed them right away. They've got razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must. Here's the trick: when trolling, use a two-hook rig with live bait. Put one hook through the nose, let the second dangle near the tail - kings often bite the back half of their prey first.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing - there's good reason they're so popular. Most fish we catch run 3-8 pounds, but you'll occasionally hook into a real bruiser pushing 15+ pounds. They live on hard bottom around 30-200 feet deep, hugging reefs, ledges, and structure. The season runs June through July typically, so timing matters. What makes them special is that solid fight combined with some of the best eating you'll find in the Gulf. Their white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality stuff. They're smart fish too - they'll test your tackle and try to cut you off on structure. Live bait like cigar minnows or fresh squid work well, but here's the key: get your bait right to the bottom where they live, then be patient and keep steady pressure when you hook up.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that make great targets for action-packed trips. These silver bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and move in large schools near the surface. They're fast swimmers - some of the quickest fish in the Gulf - and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. They prefer warmer months from late spring through fall when baitfish are thick. You'll find them around structure, but also cruising open water chasing bait. What guests love is the constant action and how good they taste - mild, flaky meat that grills up perfect. They're great for kids too since they fight hard but won't break your gear. My tip: when you see birds working over bait, get there fast. Throw small spoons or live shrimp and hold on - they hit hard and fast.
Seriola LalandiYellowtails are strong fighters that'll test your gear and your patience. These fish typically run 15-25 pounds, though we occasionally see 40+ pounders that'll really make you work. They hang around rocky reefs and structure in deeper water, usually 60-150 feet down. You can spot them by their bright yellow fins and sleek, bluish-green bodies. They're opportunistic feeders, so live bait works best - sardines or cigar minnows will get their attention fast. Summer and fall are prime time when water temps are right. What makes them special is that hard-charging fight - they'll run deep and test your drag system. The meat's excellent too, especially for sushi. Pro tip: when you hook one, don't horse it up too fast or it'll break you off on the structure below.
Gulf Shores