Gulf Shores Inshore Redfish & Trout Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Professional 4hour and 6hour private charters for six passengersTarget Redfish, Speckled Trout, Red Snapper, and Sheepshead speciesIncludes 2021 Seacat vessel, gear, bait, license, and fish cleaning
When you're looking for consistent action on Alabama's inshore waters, Captain James Morgan knows exactly where the fish are holding. His Gulf Shores operation runs 4-hour and 6-hour private charters that put you on redfish, speckled trout, and whatever else is biting in the backwaters and nearshore reefs. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, these trips are built around putting fish in the boat while showing you why Gulf Shores has earned its reputation as one of the Gulf Coast's top fishing destinations.
Your day starts at the dock in Gulf Shores, where you'll meet Captain Morgan and step aboard his 2021 Seacat – a boat that's built to handle both the shallow flats and the choppier nearshore waters. The 4-hour trips focus mainly on the inshore bite, working the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where redfish and trout love to ambush baitfish. If you book the 6-hour option, you're getting the best of both worlds – time to work the inshore spots plus a run out to the nearshore reefs where species like red snapper, cobia, and Spanish mackerel cruise. Captain Morgan provides all the tackle, bait, and licenses, plus he throws in drinks and will clean your catch at the end of the day. These are private charters, so it's just your group of up to four anglers, which means more personalized instruction and better fishing spots without the crowds.
The fishing style changes based on what's biting and where Captain Morgan decides to set up. In the shallow inshore waters, you'll be sight fishing for tailing reds, working topwater plugs over grass beds at first light, or bouncing soft plastics along oyster bars. The captain runs high-end spinning gear that's perfectly matched to the conditions – light enough to feel every bite but with enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. When you head nearshore, the tactics shift to bottom fishing with live and cut bait, vertical jigging around structure, and sometimes trolling for pelagics like Spanish mackerel. The beauty of these longer trips is the variety – you might start the morning throwing artificials for trout in 3 feet of water and finish the afternoon pulling snappers off a 40-foot reef. Captain Morgan reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly, whether that means following a school of diving birds or relocating to a protected bay when the wind picks up.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers are what most anglers come here to target. They range from schoolie reds in the 18-24 inch range up to bull reds that can push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. The best redfish action typically runs from April through November, with fall being particularly hot when the bulls stage up for their spawning runs. What makes reds so popular is their aggressive nature – they'll eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs, and they fight like freight trains once hooked. Speckled trout are the other main target, and Gulf Shores' grass flats are loaded with them. These fish are more finicky than reds but incredibly fun on light tackle. The best trout fishing usually happens during the cooler months, from October through March, when they school up in deeper holes and channel edges. Spanish mackerel show up in the nearshore waters during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall. They're fast, aggressive, and great on light tackle – plus they make excellent table fare when prepared fresh. Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the bunch, hanging around structure with their human-like teeth ready to steal your bait. They're most active in the cooler months and require finesse and patience, but landing a 3-4 pound sheepshead is incredibly satisfying. Cobia are the wildcards – these brown sharks (as some anglers call them) cruise the nearshore waters and can show up anytime during the warmer months, often following rays or hanging around buoys and structure.
Captain Morgan's Gulf Shores charters deliver exactly what serious anglers want – consistent fish, professional guidance, and access to both inshore and nearshore fishing grounds that many visiting anglers never see. The 6-hour trips are particularly popular because they give you enough time to really explore different areas and techniques, plus the nearshore component opens up opportunities for species that don't show up in the back bays. With all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning included, you just need to show up ready to fish. The boat handles up to four anglers comfortably, making it perfect for families, couples, or small groups of friends who want a personalized experience without dealing with crowded party boats. Gulf Shores' fishing is good year-round, but booking ahead is always smart, especially during peak season and on weekends when the best captains fill up fast.
Hit the waters of Gulf Shores aboard our rock-solid 2021 26' Seacat, built for serious fishing action. Twin 300 Mercury engines power this stable platform through both inshore shallows and nearshore runs, giving you smooth rides whether we're chasing redfish in the grass or heading out for snapper. The wide beam keeps everyone comfortable while fighting fish, and with seating for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work. Our fish finder keeps us on top of structure and schools, while GPS and radar ensure we can navigate safely in any conditions. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long Gulf Coast sessions. This boat handles choppy seas like a champ and gets you to the fish fast, making every trip productive whether you're targeting speckled trout in the bay or running offshore for bigger game.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these solitary giants average 20-50 pounds and can hit 6 feet long. They're curious fish that cruise near the surface around structures, buoys, and floating debris in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from March through May is prime time when they move through our area heading to spawning grounds. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and incredible table fare - firm, white meat that's considered some of the best eating in the Gulf. They're sight-fishing targets that often swim right up to the boat to investigate. These fish have serious pulling power and stamina. My favorite technique: when you spot one cruising, drop a bucktail jig or live crab right in front of them and be ready for a long fight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore target with their copper-colored backs and signature black spots near the tail. These bruisers average 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, fighting like freight trains in shallow water. You'll find them in 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and marshes - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. They bite year-round but fall and spring offer the hottest action when they school up. What makes them special is their power and willingness to eat almost anything from topwater plugs to live bait. The table fare is excellent with firm, mild meat. They're sight-fishing targets that get guests pumped when we spot their tails or backs in skinny water. Pro tip: cast past cruising fish and work your lure back into their path - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish with spotted sides and a soft mouth that requires finesse. These 12-20 inch fish average 1-3 pounds and love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. In summer, fish early morning and evening when they move shallow to feed. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures at dawn - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. The meat is tender and flaky, but don't overcook it. They school up in winter in deeper channels. Key tip: use light tackle with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork, and work the grass edges where they ambush baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with black stripes and human-like teeth that love munching barnacles around docks, pilings, and bridges. These crafty bait thieves typically weigh 2-8 pounds but can hit 15+ pounds around deeper structures. They're year-round residents but fish best in cooler months when they school up for spawning. What makes them fun is they're notorious for stealing bait - you'll feel them nibbling before they commit. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, white meat. They hang tight to structure in 5-30 feet of water. My go-to tip: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to the pilings as possible, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight - they've got crushing jaws.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that'll give you a real fight on light tackle. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and love to school up near the surface around structures and baitfish. You'll find them in 10-40 feet of water from spring through fall, with summer being prime time when they move closer to shore. They hit spoons, jigs, and live bait hard - just be ready for their sharp teeth. What makes them special is the combination of their acrobatic fight and excellent table fare. The meat is mild, flaky, and perfect for grilling. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, keep your lures in the water because where there's one, there's usually a dozen more ready to bite.
Gulf Shores, Alabama