Half Day Inshore Fishing - Gulf Shores Alabama
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and sea troutFully equipped boat accommodates up to four guests comfortablyCaptain Jeremy tailors trips to match all skill levels
Captain Jeremy Byers knows these Alabama waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 4-hour inshore charter out of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan hits that sweet spot – enough time to get into the action without burning your whole day. You'll be targeting redfish, sea trout, sheepshead, black drum, and even some feisty blacktip sharks in the productive backwaters and nearshore flats that make this area a top-rated fishing destination. With room for up to 4 anglers, it's perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to the sport or seasoned fishermen looking to add some Gulf Coast species to their list.
Captain Jeremy runs a clean, well-equipped boat that's built for inshore work. You'll start your morning launching from one of the local marinas, then head out to the grass flats, oyster bars, and structure where these fish love to hang out. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast you might hook a chunky redfish cruising the shallows, the next you could be fighting a nice sea trout over a grass bed. Jeremy knows how to read the conditions and will adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. He provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups when the sharks show up. The boat's got plenty of shade, a cooler for your drinks and snacks, and all the safety equipment required by the Coast Guard.
You'll be fishing a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling you. Jeremy typically starts with live shrimp under popping corks – it's hard to beat for redfish and trout in these waters. When the bite gets finicky, he'll switch you over to soft plastics on jig heads, working them slow along the bottom for black drum and sheepshead. For the blacktip sharks, it's usually cut bait on circle hooks with a steel leader. The technique changes with the structure too – around oyster bars, you'll be pitching baits tight to the edges where redfish ambush prey. Over grass flats, it's more about covering water with topwater plugs early in the morning or suspending baits in the water column. Jeremy's got decades of experience reading these fish and he'll coach you through the presentation, whether you're a beginner learning to work a jig or an experienced angler wanting to dial in your technique for Gulf Coast species.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Alabama inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-27 inches in these waters and they fight like nothing else in the shallows. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and grass edges where they feed on crabs and shrimp. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some monster bull reds when conditions align. What makes them special is their attitude – redfish aren't shy about eating, and when you hook one in 3 feet of water, they'll drag line and test your drag like a fish twice their size. Sea trout are another customer favorite, especially the larger "gator trout" that patrol deeper grass beds. These spotted beauties are excellent table fare and they'll hit both live shrimp and artificial lures with equal enthusiasm. They're most active during cooler months when bait schools are thick, and a good trout bite can result in steady action for the whole crew. Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish on this list, but they're also some of the best eating. These black and white striped convict fish hang around structure like dock pilings and bridge supports, where they use their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and oysters. They require a delicate touch and quick hook set, making them a favorite challenge for experienced anglers. Black drum are the bulldogs of the bunch – not the fastest fish, but they'll test your arms with their stubborn, head-shaking fights. They love to root around in the mud for crabs and worms, so bottom fishing with cut bait or fresh shrimp usually does the trick. Blacktip sharks add some serious excitement to any trip. These guys show up when you least expect them and turn a quiet afternoon into an adrenaline rush. They're incredibly fast and athletic, often jumping multiple times when hooked. Most run 3-5 feet long in these waters and they're perfectly safe to catch and release.
This half-day charter delivers exactly what Gulf Coast fishing is all about – variety, action, and the chance to learn from a captain who lives and breathes these waters. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fish on the table, introduce someone new to the sport, or just spend a morning doing what you love, Captain Jeremy's got you covered. The 4-hour format gives you plenty of fishing time without the commitment of a full day, and with only 4 spots available, you'll get personalized attention that makes all the difference. Don't forget to bring your camera, some snacks, and get ready for some world-class inshore action. Book now and see why anglers keep coming back to fish these renowned Alabama waters with JTfishing Charters.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 20-foot Polar Craft, perfect for navigating Alabama's inshore waters around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. This spacious motorboat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers while the 90 HP Suzuki engine gets you to the fish fast, cruising at 35 knots across the flats and channels where redfish and sea trout love to hide. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on shallow water targets without spooking them, while our fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. Stay connected with VHF radio communication and GPS navigation to hit all the prime spots. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during those hot Gulf Coast afternoons. Whether you're casting for drum in the backwaters or working the grass beds for sheepshead, this boat handles whatever the Alabama coast throws at us.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love hanging around oyster beds and structure in brackish water, using their powerful jaws to crush shellfish and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're incredible fighters that will test your drag, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and keep your bait tight to the bottom near oyster bars. The bigger fish are pure muscle and will give you a workout you won't forget.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are pure adrenaline on the end of your line, known for their spectacular jumps and acrobatic fights. These sleek sharks average 4-6 feet but can reach up to 9 feet, easily identified by the black tips on their fins. They cruise nearshore waters from spring through fall, often in 10-100 feet around structure and baitfish schools. What gets people hooked is watching them launch completely out of the water multiple times during the fight. They're catch-and-release only, but the experience is worth it. These sharks are actually pretty timid until hooked, then they go crazy. My trick is to chum with cut mackerel or sardines on circle hooks with heavy braided line - once they smell that oil slick, they come running and put on an aerial show you'll be talking about for years.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. These 20-40 inch fish love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water. They're year-round targets here, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes reds so special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll peel drag and make long runs. Plus, slot-sized fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The sight-fishing opportunities are amazing when you spot their backs out of the water. Pro tip: look for nervous water and baitfish activity, then cast topwater plugs or gold spoons just ahead of cruising fish. Keep it quiet and they'll hammer it.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are one of our most popular targets here in Alabama waters. These beautiful silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-24 inches and love grass flats and shallow bays. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods, especially around dawn and dusk. What guests love about trout fishing is how willing they are to hit artificial lures - topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons all work great. They fight well for their size and make fantastic table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My local tip: work the grass flats on an incoming tide with a popping cork and live shrimp. The sound drives them crazy, and you'll often see explosive strikes right at the surface.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're notorious bait thieves around any structure. These 1-8 pound fish hang tight to docks, bridges, and barnacle-covered pilings where they feed on crabs and shellfish with their human-like teeth. They spawn February through April when fishing really heats up around jetties and reefs. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're incredibly sneaky about stealing your bait and require lightning-fast hook sets. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. Here's the key: get your bait as close to structure as possible and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Fiddler crabs work great, but make sure they're hooked securely.
Alabama