Full Day Inshore Fishing Charter in Mobile Bay
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full 8hour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and flounderFish prime Mobile Bay estuaries, marshes, and shallow flatsAccommodates up to 6 guests with REELFROGGY CHARTERS
Get ready for an 8-hour adventure that'll have you working some of Alabama's most productive inshore waters. Mobile Bay and the surrounding Gulf coast estuaries are loaded with redfish, speckled trout, and flounder – and I'm here to put you on them. This full-day charter takes up to 6 anglers through prime marshlands, grass flats, and oyster bars where these fish love to hunt. You'll be fishing the same spots locals have been hitting for generations, plus a few secret honey holes I've discovered over the years guiding these waters.
We'll launch early and spend the day moving between different zones depending on tides, weather, and where the fish are biting. Mobile Bay's inshore fishery is world-class because of the mix of fresh and saltwater – it creates the perfect environment for baitfish, which means hungry game fish are never far behind. You'll be casting into shallow marshes where redfish cruise the edges, drifting over grass beds where speckled trout ambush shrimp, and working structure where flounder lay waiting. The scenery changes throughout the day as we move from open bay waters to backwater creeks, giving you a real taste of Alabama's Gulf coast ecosystem. Don't worry about experience level – I'll have you dialed in whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
We'll be running light tackle setups perfect for inshore work – spinning reels spooled with braided line for sensitivity and hook-setting power. Depending on conditions and target species, we'll use everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Live bait is often the ticket here, especially when the trout are finicky or we're targeting trophy redfish. I keep plenty of shrimp, croakers, and pogies on board. For artificials, we'll throw everything from gold spoons in the grass to jig heads with paddle tails around structure. The key to success in Mobile Bay is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want that day. I'll teach you how to feel the bite on different bottom types and adjust your technique as we move between spots.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Mobile Bay inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow flats and marsh edges, especially around oyster bars and grass lines. You'll find them in 2-6 feet of water, often tailing or cruising just under the surface. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, with September and October being absolutely on fire. What makes reds so special is their fight – they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to pull drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. We regularly see fish in the 20-30 inch range, with the occasional over-slot bull that'll test your tackle and your arms.
Speckled trout are the most sought-after species for many Mobile Bay anglers, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their spotted flanks and canine teeth are found over grass beds and around structure throughout the bay system. They're most active during cooler months, with winter being prime time for trophy specimens. Specks are ambush predators that love to hang around drop-offs and current breaks where they can pick off baitfish. The bite can be subtle, so you need to stay focused, but when you hook up, they'll jump and fight all the way to the net. A good day on the trout can produce limits of keeper-sized fish, with the chance at a true wall-hanger always there.
Southern flounder might be the sneakiest fish in the bay, but they're worth the effort to target. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud waiting for prey to swim by. You'll find them around structure, channel edges, and anywhere baitfish congregate. Fall is prime time for flounder as they fatten up before their offshore spawning run. The key is keeping your bait moving along the bottom and being ready for their aggressive strike. When a flounder hits, there's no mistaking it – they'll nearly pull the rod out of your hands. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf, with firm white fillets that are perfect for any preparation.
Snook are the bonus fish that can really make your day special. While not as common as the other target species, Mobile Bay's population of snook has been growing, especially in the warmer months. These fish love structure and ambush points, often hanging around docks, bridges, and mangrove shorelines. They're incredibly strong fighters that will jump and run, testing every knot and connection. Catching a snook in Alabama waters is something to brag about back home, as you're near the northern edge of their range.
This full-day charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Mobile Bay has to offer. Eight hours on the water means we can adjust to conditions, chase the bite, and give you plenty of opportunities to hook up with quality fish. The Fairhope area provides easy access to both the main bay and the backwater areas where the big fish like to hide. Whether you're looking to put fish in the cooler or just enjoy a day of top-rated inshore fishing, this trip delivers. REELFROGGY CHARTERS has the local knowledge and experience to make your Mobile Bay fishing adventure one you'll be talking about for years. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our BlackJack 224, a serious fishing machine built for Mobile Bay's inshore waters. This 24-footer packs a 250HP Yamaha outboard that'll cruise you to the hottest fishing spots at speeds up to 57 mph, then switch to whisper-quiet mode with the wireless trolling motor when you're working the shallow flats for redfish and speckled trout. The boat's loaded with everything you need for a productive day on the water - Lowrance GPS keeps us on the fish while the fishfinder shows exactly what's swimming below. VHF radio keeps us connected to marine traffic and weather updates for safe passage through Mobile Bay's channels and backwaters. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast for flounder in the grass beds or work the oyster bars where the reds like to feed. The shallow draft design lets us slip into those skinny-water honey holes where the big fish hide, while the stable platform gives everyone a solid casting deck when the action heats up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Mobile Bay's crown jewel - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that provide world-class sight fishing opportunities. These fish range from schoolie reds around 18-24 inches up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches and 30 pounds. They cruise our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs exposed. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides. What makes redfish special is their aggressive strikes, powerful fights, and that heart-stopping moment when you spot their wake cutting through shallow water. They're also fantastic eating when kept within slot limits. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts ahead of cruising fish. My local secret: work gold spoons or topwater plugs around oyster bars on falling tides - the reds ambush bait getting swept off the rocks.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Mobile Bay's bread and butter - beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots that make excellent table fare. Most of our fish run 14-20 inches, but trophy specks over 25 inches lurk in deeper holes during winter. They love grass flats, oyster reefs, and drop-offs in 3-12 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall produces steady action, while winter concentrates bigger fish in deep channels. What guests love most is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also great fighters for their size, making long runs when hooked. My go-to setup is a 1/4 oz jighead with a soft plastic shrimp, worked slowly along grass edges. Key tip: when the bite gets tough, downsize your lure and slow your retrieve - patience pays off with specks.
Centropomus UndecimalisWhile snook aren't as common this far north as they are in Florida, Mobile Bay's warming waters occasionally bring these silver rockets our way during hot summer months. They're sleek, aggressive fish with that distinctive black lateral line and can reach 30+ inches. When present, look for them around mangrove edges, dock pilings, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. They're ambush predators that explode on topwater lures and fight like they're twice their size. The key to hooking one is working structure tight - they love cover and won't chase bait far. Best action happens during moving water on dawn or dusk tides. These fish are pure excitement when hooked, with powerful runs and head-shaking jumps. If you're lucky enough to find one, use weedless soft plastics or walk-the-dog topwaters right against the cover.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are one of Mobile Bay's most unique catches - they're flat, oval-shaped fish that spend their time buried in sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Both eyes are on their left side, which helps them spot food while staying camouflaged. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches in our deeper channels. They love the bay's shallow flats, especially around structure and drop-offs in 3-15 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavy before moving offshore. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My local trick: use a slow drift with live bull minnows on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a beat before setting the hook. They like to grab bait sideways first.
Fairhope, AL, United States