Half Day Gulf Shores Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting gar, flounder, redfish and speckled troutExpert captains guide up to 4 guests to prime coastal spotsFlexible departure times available from 6AM to 6PM daily
Looking for a solid half-day on the water without breaking the bank? JTfishing Charters LLC has you covered with prime inshore action right here in Gulf Shores. Captain and crew know these backwaters like the back of their hands, and they're not just taking you fishing – they're putting you on fish. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater angling or you're a weekend warrior looking to add some variety to your tackle box, this trip delivers the goods. We're talking about real Gulf Coast fishing where every cast has potential, and the scenery doesn't hurt either.
This isn't your typical party boat experience. With just four anglers max, you get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between going fishing and actually catching fish. The captain starts early if you want – 6AM launch times mean you can beat the heat and the crowds, though afternoon trips work just as well depending on tides and your schedule. You'll be working the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where Gulf Shores' best inshore species hang out. The boat's rigged with everything you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. All you really need to bring is sunscreen, snacks if you get hungry, and maybe a cooler with ice if you want to take your catch home. The captain reads the water conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly – some days we're sight fishing the shallows, other days we're working deeper structure depending on what's biting.
Gulf Shores inshore fishing is all about reading the signs and adapting your approach. We're primarily using live and cut bait – shrimp, finger mullet, and crab work magic on most of our target species. The captain might have you bottom fishing around structure for sheepshead and black drum, or working the grass beds with lighter tackle when the flounder are active. Don't be surprised if you switch up techniques throughout the trip. One minute you're bouncing jigs along the bottom for flounder, the next you might be sight fishing for gar in the shallows. The beauty of these backwaters is the variety – oyster reefs hold different fish than the grass flats, and the captain knows which spots are producing on any given day. You'll learn to read the water yourself as the trip progresses, picking up on subtle changes in current, structure, and bait activity that make the difference between a slow day and a bent rod.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, and for good reason. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 15-inchers to doormat flounder pushing 25 inches or more. What makes flounder fishing so addictive is the technique – you're often working soft plastics or live bait slowly along the bottom, feeling for that subtle tap-tap-weight that signals a flounder has your bait. The fight isn't about speed or jumping; it's about that bulldogging pull and the satisfaction of fooling a fish that's perfectly adapted to its environment.
Longnose Gar might look prehistoric, but they're absolute blast to catch and surprisingly common in these waters. These living fossils can stretch over three feet and put up a spectacular aerial show when hooked. Summer months bring the best gar action, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when they're actively feeding near the surface. Their bony mouths make them tricky to hook, but once you connect, you're in for a wild ride. Many anglers are surprised by how hard gar fight – they're not just rolling and thrashing, they're making legitimate runs and testing your drag. Plus, they're actually excellent table fare when prepared properly, despite what some old-timers might tell you.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore game, and Gulf Shores has some legitimate bulls cruising the flats. These fish can push 40-plus pounds and will absolutely test your tackle and your arms. Spring brings the best big drum fishing as they move into shallow water for their annual spawn. You'll often see their backs and tails breaking the surface as they root around oyster bars and shallow flats feeding on crabs and mollusks. The key to drum fishing is patience – they're not always aggressive feeders, but when they decide to eat, you better be ready. Circle hooks and fresh crab bait are the ticket, and once you hook up, it's all about keeping steady pressure and letting the fish work against the drag.
Southern Stingray encounters add an element of surprise to any inshore trip. These graceful creatures are common throughout Gulf Shores' shallow waters, and while they're not targeted like game fish, hooking into one is always memorable. Rays can span several feet across and when hooked, they use their entire body like a kite in the current. The experience is more about the unique fight than anything else – rays don't run or jump, they just pull with incredible, steady pressure. Most anglers are amazed by the power these animals possess and how different the fight feels compared to traditional game fish. Always handle with care if you bring one to the boat, as that barb is no joke.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters of the inshore world, and they'll humble even experienced anglers with their bait-stealing abilities. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, and they can strip a hook clean before you even know they're there. Oyster bars and any hard structure hold sheepshead year-round, with the best action typically in cooler months. What makes sheepshead fishing so engaging is the chess match – you need perfect bait presentation, the right hook size, and lightning-fast reflexes to connect. When you do hook up, sheepshead are surprisingly strong fighters that will head straight for structure to break you
Your Gulf Shores fishing adventure starts aboard this well-equipped 20-foot Polar Craft that's built for serious inshore action. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room while targeting gar, flounder, and whatever else is biting in Alabama's productive coastal waters. The 90 HP Suzuki gets you to the fish fast, hitting 35 knots when you need to cover water quickly. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position silently over structure without spooking your targets. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox and stay connected with GPS and VHF radio. Whether you're casting shallow flats for redfish or working deeper channels for speckled trout, this boat handles the diverse inshore terrain around Gulf Shores with ease.
Pogonias CromisThese are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. You'll hear them before you see them - they make distinctive drumming sounds, especially during spring spawning when they school up in big numbers. They love oyster beds, muddy flats, and around pier pilings in 2-20 feet of water. Spring is prime time, particularly March through May when they're concentrated and feeding aggressively. What guests love is the strong fight they put up and those smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating. The big ones are better released since the meat gets tough. Here's my go-to tip: use fresh soft crab or cut blue crab on a fish-finder rig, and be patient. They're notorious for picking at bait, so wait for that solid pull before setting the hook.
Lepisosteus OsseusThese prehistoric-looking fish are built like torpedoes with needle-sharp snouts full of teeth. They typically run 28-48 inches but can hit 6 feet and 50+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow backwaters, around vegetation, and near creek mouths where fresh and salt water mix. They're most active at night and during cooler months. What draws people to gar fishing is the challenge - they're tough fighters and incredibly smart. Most folks target them with bowfishing since their narrow mouths make hook-and-line tricky. The meat actually tastes like chicken but with a unique twist. If you're going the traditional route, forget hooks and use frayed rope instead - their teeth get tangled in the fibers. Look for them cruising near the surface around dawn and dusk.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese "convict fish" with their black and white stripes are famous for two things: human-like teeth and being master bait thieves. They typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders do show up. You'll find them glued to any structure - docks, bridges, oyster bars, and pier pilings where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Spring spawning season (February-April) is prime time when they school up heavily. What makes them popular is excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's tough to beat. They're also notorious for their sneaky bites. The trick is getting your bait right against the structure and using small hooks with fresh fiddler crab or shrimp. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook hard. They'll steal your bait faster than you can blink otherwise.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud with both eyes on one side of their head. Most run 15-18 inches and around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. They love shallow coastal waters, especially sandy bottoms near grass beds and oyster bars. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore to spawn. What makes them special is their incredible camouflage ability and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're ambush predators, so patience pays off. Here's the trick: use live mud minnows or shrimp on a carolina rig, and when you feel that tap, wait a second before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first, then turn it to swallow.
Hypanus AmericanusThese diamond-shaped rays can span up to 5 feet across and weigh 50 pounds, with females getting much larger than males. They're bottom dwellers that love sandy and muddy flats, grass beds, and around river mouths where they bury themselves and ambush prey. Warmer months bring the best action when they're most active in shallow water. People target them for the unique challenge and their impressive size - it's not every day you hook something that fights like a underwater kite. The meat is surprisingly good, similar to scallops. Since they detect electrical fields, they're drawn to struggling bait. Use live pinfish or cut bait on a heavy setup - 150lb braid minimum. Here's the key: when you hook one, don't horse it in. Let it tire itself out and use steady pressure. Never grab the tail!
Alabama