Orange Beach Fishing with Captain Robinson
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and sheepshead speciesCaptain Lee Robinson provides expert guidance for all skill levelsSmall group charter accommodates maximum two guests per trip
Captain Lee Robinson knows these Gulf Shores waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. Whether you're new to inshore fishing or you've been chasing reds for years, this 3-5 hour charter gives you prime time on the water targeting the species that make Gulf Coast fishing legendary. With just two anglers max, you'll get personal attention and plenty of room to work your lines without bumping elbows.
Point Clear Charters runs intimate trips that feel more like fishing with a buddy than a crowded charter boat experience. Captain Robinson's boat is perfectly rigged for inshore work, with all the tackle and gear you need to target the flats, grass beds, and structure that hold Alabama's best gamefish. You'll launch from Orange Beach and work the productive waters where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf, hitting spots that consistently produce action. The captain reads the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to put you where the fish are feeding. Plan to get your hands dirty – this isn't a sightseeing cruise, it's a proper fishing trip where you'll learn techniques that work in these specific waters.
Captain Robinson sets you up with quality spinning gear matched to the species you're targeting. Light to medium action rods paired with reels spooled with 15-20 pound test give you the perfect setup for sight fishing reds in shallow water or working deeper holes for drum and sheepshead. Live bait is king in these waters – expect to fish with live shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet depending on what the fish want that day. You'll also throw artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs when the bite calls for it. The captain teaches you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and present baits naturally. Dock fishing around pilings requires different skills than working oyster bars or grass flats, and you'll get hands-on experience with the techniques that produce in each environment.
Grey Snapper pack serious fight into a smaller package, and they're absolute table fare champions. These guys love structure – docks, jetties, and artificial reefs where they can ambush baitfish. Summer months bring the best snapper action in the shallows, though you'll find them year-round if you know where to look. They're smart fish that inspect your bait, so Captain Robinson uses light leaders and natural presentations. When you hook one, expect multiple head shakes and runs toward the nearest piling.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the flats, with bigger fish pushing 30-40 pounds and fighting like they're twice that size. These bottom feeders cruise oyster beds and shallow water looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and winter produce the best drum fishing, when cooler water brings them into the shallows. You'll hear them before you see them – drum actually make drumming sounds that you can hear through the boat hull. They're not the prettiest fish, but they'll test your tackle and your patience with long, powerful runs.
Summer Flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing baitfish. These flatfish can be tricky to locate, but Captain Robinson knows the drop-offs, channels, and structure that consistently hold them. Spring through early fall offers the best flounder fishing, with bigger fish moving through during their fall migration. They hit live bait and soft plastics with authority, but you need to give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook. A good flounder dinner makes the patience worthwhile.
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of your bait presentation skills. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off dock pilings and jetties. They're notorious bait stealers, picking your hook clean without you feeling a thing. Captain Robinson teaches you the subtle techniques needed to consistently catch these finicky fish. Winter months bring the best sheepshead action when they school up around structure. They're excellent eating and provide a technical fishing challenge that keeps even experienced anglers engaged.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight hard, grow big, and feed aggressively in the shallow waters around Gulf Shores. You'll find reds cruising grass flats, working oyster bars, and hanging around docks throughout the year. Sight fishing for reds in skinny water gets your heart pumping – watching a 25-inch red inhale your topwater lure in two feet of water never gets old. Captain Robinson knows the tides and spots where reds feed predictably, giving you the best shot at hooking into Alabama's most popular gamefish.
Captain Lee Robinson's reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for itself, and spots on this intimate charter fill up fast. With only two anglers per trip, you're getting the kind of personal attention and fishing instruction that bigger boats simply can't provide. The 3-5 hour timeframe gives you plenty of water time without feeling rushed, and the captain adjusts the trip length based on bite conditions and your preferences. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just get away from the crowds for some quality angling, this Point Clear Charters experience delivers. Don't wait – prime dates book weeks in advance, especially during peak fishing seasons.
Captain Lee Robinson's 24-foot Pathfinder center console cuts through Gulf Shores waters at up to 50 knots, powered by a reliable 250HP Honda engine. This 2005 bay boat handles inshore fishing perfectly, getting you to the best speckled trout and redfish spots quickly. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools while GPS keeps you on course to productive waters. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during 3-5 hour trips. Built for up to 5 anglers, this stable platform gives everyone room to cast for flounder, sheepshead, and black drum in Alabama's productive coastal waters.
Pogonias CromisThese are the heavyweights of the drum family, and they'll give you a real workout. Most of what we catch runs 8-15 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 25-pounder - they're out there. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning around oyster beds and muddy flats. You'll hear them drumming underwater, especially the big bulls. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing crabs and oysters. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare, but the big ones get tough and stringy. Fresh blue crab is your best bet for bait - cut it in half and use a heavy sinker to get it down. Pro tip: when they pick up your bait, give them a few seconds before setting the hook. They like to mouth it first.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called Mangrove Snapper, these copper-red fish are smart and cautious, making them a real challenge. Most run 1-3 pounds inshore, but you'll occasionally hook into something closer to 5-6 pounds around deeper structure. They love hanging around docks, piers, and any kind of cover where they can ambush baitfish. Best fishing happens at night when they're most active, especially around the new moon. What makes them special is that white, flaky meat - some of the best eating you'll find. Here's the trick: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom, then bring it up just a foot or two. Don't jerk when you feel that first tap - they're just testing it. Wait for the solid pull, then set the hook firmly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches with that classic bronze color and black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - grass flats, oyster bars, and marshy areas where you can actually see their backs. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and fall are peak times when they school up. What guests love is that powerful run when they first feel the hook - pure muscle. The meat has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but don't overlook topwater plugs in skinny water. Here's my tip: when you spot tailing reds in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait sit still. They spook easily in thin water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese black-striped "convict fish" are famous for their human-like teeth and being master bait thieves. Most run 2-4 pounds with the occasional 8-pounder around deeper structure. They live around anything with barnacles - docks, pilings, bridges, and jetties. Spring months from February through April are best when they're spawning and more aggressive. What makes them special is that sweet, white meat that's worth the fight. They'll steal your bait faster than you can blink, so stay sharp. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp work best, but here's the secret - scrape some barnacles off the pilings to create a chum slick. Use a small circle hook and keep your bait tight to the structure. When you feel that first nibble, don't wait - set the hook hard immediately.
Paralichthys DentatusThese flatfish are masters of camouflage and make for some of the best eating you'll find. Most run 15-18 inches, but we see plenty in the 3-4 pound range, with the occasional doormat pushing 6-7 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What guests love is the fight - they pull hard and stay deep. The meat is pure white and flakes perfectly. Live finger mullet or minnows work best, but sea worms and clams produce too. Here's my go-to method: hook live bait through the lips and drift it just off the bottom near drop-offs and channels. Keep your drag loose - they bite soft at first.
Fairhope, AL, United States