Orange Beach Charter Fishing Guides
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour deepsea fishing adventure with Captain WilsonBottom fishing and trolling techniques for diverse speciesAccommodates up to 8 guests aboard Riptide charter
Captain Wilson knows these Orange Beach waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 10-hour deep-sea charter takes you way out into the Gulf where the big boys live. You'll be targeting trophy species that most weekend warriors only dream about catching. With room for up to 8 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of elbow room to work your lines without getting tangled up with your buddies. Fair warning though – bring your own snacks and drinks because we're focused on fishing, not catering.
Once you clear the pass and hit blue water, Captain Wilson switches between bottom fishing the deep structure and trolling the open Gulf. The morning usually starts with a run to his favorite offshore spots where the bottom drops off into serious depths. You'll be fishing 80 to 150 feet of water over rocky ledges and artificial reefs that hold grouper and snapper. The boat stays anchored up while everyone drops heavy tackle to the bottom. Around midday, lines come up and the captain fires up the engines to start covering water. That's when the trolling spread goes out – multiple lines at different depths targeting the pelagic species that cruise these waters. The GPS shows exactly where the temperature breaks and current edges are, and that's where the wahoo and amberjack like to hunt.
Captain Wilson runs a well-equipped boat with both conventional and spinning tackle ready to go. For the bottom fishing, you're looking at heavy action rods paired with reels that can handle 50-80 pound test line. The sinkers alone weigh 8-12 ounces to get your bait down fast in the current. Circle hooks are the standard here – they're required for snapper and grouper, and they hook fish better anyway. Live bait works best when it's available, but cut bait and frozen sardines produce just fine. The trolling setup is a different game entirely. The boat pulls a spread of four to six lines at different levels using downriggers and planer boards. Diving plugs, spoons, and rigged ballyhoo cover the water column from 20 feet down to 60 feet. When something hits, the rod comes out of the holder and you're fighting fish while the boat's still moving.
Greater Amberjack: These are the bruisers that'll test your back and your drag system. Amberjack here run anywhere from 30 to 80 pounds, with the occasional fish pushing triple digits. They hang around wrecks and high-relief bottom, usually 60 to 100 feet down. Spring through early fall is prime time, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. What makes them so popular is the fight – they pull like a freight train and don't give up easy. First-timers always underestimate how hard these fish pull until they hook into one.
Wahoo Fish: Speed demons of the Gulf that can hit 40 mph when they want to. Most wahoo caught here weigh between 20 and 50 pounds, though the occasional big female can push 80. They're structure-oriented but also cruise the blue water, especially where the water color changes. Fall and winter months are best, when the water cools down and baitfish are thick. What gets anglers excited about wahoo is the strike – they hit trolled baits like a freight train, often jumping clear of the water. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Red Snapper: The most popular bottom fish in these waters, and for good reason. Orange Beach red snapper average 3 to 8 pounds, with plenty of bigger ones mixed in. They stack up on rocky bottom and artificial reefs, usually 40 to 120 feet deep. Season runs June through July typically, though regulations change yearly. What makes snapper fishing addictive is how aggressive they bite when you find a good school. Drop a bait down and it might not hit bottom before something grabs it.
Black Grouper: The toughest fighters in the grouper family, black grouper are found on the deeper reefs and wrecks. They run bigger than most other grouper species, with fish over 50 pounds not uncommon. These are structure fish that ambush prey, so you're fishing right on the bottom with heavy tackle. Fall and winter months produce the best action when they move up from deeper water. Anglers love them because they fight dirty – diving straight back to the rocks and trying to break you off.
Gag Grouper: Probably the most common grouper caught on these trips, gag grouper are aggressive feeders that hit both live and cut bait. They typically run 5 to 25 pounds, though bigger ones are out there. Unlike black grouper, gags will sometimes come up off the bottom to feed, especially around structure with good current. They're open most of the year with seasonal closures, so timing matters. What makes gag grouper a customer favorite is reliability – when other species aren't cooperating, you can usually count on finding gags on the right bottom.
This Orange Beach charter fills up quick, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather's cooperating. Captain Wilson's been running these waters for years, and repeat customers know they're getting on fish when they book with Riptide Fishing Charters. Ten hours gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and try different techniques, but it goes by faster than you think when the fish are biting. Whether you're after that trophy amberjack or just want a cooler full of snapper for the dinner table, this trip delivers the goods. The boat's equipped, the captain knows his stuff, and the fish are out there waiting. Don't sit on the dock wishing you were fishing –
Meet The Resmondo, your ticket to serious offshore fishing in Orange Beach waters. This 1979 sport fishing boat got a complete makeover in 2004 and runs strong with twin 400HP Detroit Diesels that'll cruise you out to the deep water at 15 knots. Captain Wilson knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand and can fit up to 8 anglers aboard for a full day of bottom fishing and trolling action. The boat's loaded with everything you need - fish finder to locate the schools, radar for those foggy mornings, GPS to hit the hot spots, and a proper icebox to keep your catch fresh. When the sun gets brutal, duck into the air conditioning or head up to the flybridge for a better view of the action. With 10 hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to work both the bottom structure for snapper and grouper, then switch to trolling for pelagics. The onboard facilities include a head and multimedia system, so you're covered for the long haul. This is real Gulf fishing - no shortcuts, just a solid boat with a captain who puts you on fish.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack grouper are the heavyweights of the reef - most run 10-30 pounds, but we've seen them push 80+ pounds around Orange Beach. They're ambush predators that hang around wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom in 80-300 feet of water. Fall and winter fishing is prime time when they move up shallower. What guests love is that initial crushing bite and the brute strength fight that'll test your tackle. The meat is phenomenal too - firm white fillets that grill perfectly. These fish have one game plan: grab your bait and head straight for the rocks. My advice is lock that drag down tight and don't give them an inch. The second you feel that thump, start cranking hard. Any hesitation and they'll wrap you up in structure and break you off.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are solid fighters that average 15-25 pounds, with the bigger ones pushing 40+ pounds in deeper water. They love rocky structure, wrecks, and ledges anywhere from 60-200 feet deep. Spring and fall are your best bets when they're more active and feeding. What makes them fun is they're aggressive biters and strong fighters that'll give you a good battle. The meat is excellent eating - firm and sweet. These fish will try to drag your bait straight back to their hole once hooked. The secret is using live pinfish or mullet and keeping your rod tip low when fighting them. Don't let them get their head down or they'll dive right back into the rocks. Circle hooks work great and keep steady pressure throughout the fight.
Seriola dumeriliThese bruiser fish run 20-40 pounds on average, but can hit 60+ pounds and stretch over 4 feet. You'll find them around deep structures like oil rigs, wrecks, and ledges in 60-200 feet of water. The amber stripe along their side darkens when they're feeding - always a good sign. Spring through fall gives us the best action here in Orange Beach waters. What makes them special is that bulldogging fight - they'll test your arms and your drag system. Plus, the meat is excellent when prepared right. Pro tip: once you hook up, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back down to structure. They'll wrap you up in the rig every time if you give them slack. Heavy tackle is a must - 50+ pound line minimum.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the bread and butter of Gulf bottom fishing - most run 2-8 pounds, but we see plenty in the teens around here. They live on hard bottom and structure in 60-200 feet, and you'll know them by that bright red color and feisty attitude. Summer season brings the best action, especially June through August. What makes them special is they're scrappy fighters that'll head straight for cover, plus they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. That sweet, mild flavor is why restaurants pay top dollar for them. Here's the trick: when you feel that initial tap, set the hook hard and crank fast to get them off the bottom. If you let them get back to structure, they'll break you off every time. Fresh squid or cigar minnows work best.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf - they'll hit 60 mph and give you a blistering run that'll empty your reel in seconds. Most run 20-50 pounds and stretch 3-5 feet, with that distinctive blue-striped torpedo shape. We find them in open water, usually 30-200 feet deep, especially around floating debris or current edges. July through November is prime time here off Orange Beach. What guests love is that lightning-fast initial run and the fact that wahoo is some of the best eating fish in the ocean - white, flaky, and mild. The key to landing one is high-speed trolling with wire leaders because their razor teeth will slice through mono like butter. Keep your drag tight and hold on tight when one hits.
Orange Beach, AL