5.0(2 Reviews)Fort Morgan Inshore Fishing for Beginners
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour beginnerfriendly inshore charter targeting redfish and troutCaptain Eddie provides all gear, licenses, and catch cleaning servicesFamilyoriented trip accommodates up to three guests comfortably
Looking for a relaxed way to get into inshore fishing without all the stress? Captain Eddie's beginner charter out of Fort Morgan is exactly what you need. This 4-hour trip is built for families, kids, and anyone who's never held a rod before – but don't worry, you'll still get plenty of action. We're talking about productive bay waters where redfish cruise the grass flats and speckled trout hang around structure. Everything's included – gear, bait, licenses, even cleaning your catch – so you can focus on learning and having fun on the water.
Captain Eddie runs a no-nonsense operation that gets you fishing fast. We launch from Fort Morgan Boat Launch and head straight to where the fish are biting. The morning bite is usually the best, especially when we're working the grass beds and drop-offs where these inshore species love to feed. You'll be targeting seasonal favorites like redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, and if we're lucky, maybe a tripletail around some structure. The boat holds up to 3 anglers, so it stays personal – no crowded deck or fighting for space. Captain Eddie knows these waters like the back of his hand and uses his electronics to find those hidden spots where fish stack up around old structure and drop-offs.
We keep the gear simple but effective for beginners. You'll be using light spinning tackle that's easy to handle – perfect for learning proper casting and retrieval techniques. Captain Eddie stocks a variety of live and artificial baits depending on what's working that day. Live shrimp is always a go-to for speckled trout and redfish, while cut bait works great for flounder and sheepshead. You might also throw some soft plastics on jig heads or work topwater plugs early in the morning when the fish are aggressive. The captain handles all the rigging and will show you different techniques as we move between spots. We'll fish everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges, adjusting our approach based on tides, weather, and where the fish are holding.
"We had a BLAST. My husband gets sea sick so it was me taking my 13 year old son, 14 year old nephew, and my son's 13 year old friend. It was GO TIME as soon as we left the dock. I expected Captain Eddie to start with explanations, maybe a bit about what to expect... or even boat rules and procedures some sort of speech... bla, bla, bla . (former school teacher here... I did it to all my students ) Nope. Eddie handed the boys rods and they IMMEDIATELY started catching fish. And they never stopped. We had so much fun. And as we fished and talked and fished and talked Captain Eddie attended to the boys non stop (with enthusiasm! Anyone who's ever fished with kids knows it requires a BOAT LOAD of patience )... baiting with stuff I'd never seen or heard of... plus live fish, crabs, and shrimp... he also told us about the lay of the land. We got to see the oil rig workers SWING FROM ROPES onto a giant ship that came by to pick them up off the rig, we saw a hawk carrying a fish land right in front of it and eat it, we saw an 1880 lighthouse, and Captain Eddie used his equipment to find holes (or holds?? I'm still not sure) of secret pockets of fish over top buried chicken coups and barges. I learned a lot and could barely tell my husband about it when we got back to the condo. I was sound asleep shortly after 8:21pm. Huge memory maker. Caught a VARIETY of fish. So much that we stopped for spices and olive oil on our way home. Oh! And the birds!! We followed them. They lead us to find fish. It was a grand adventure... worth every penny. Thank you, Captain Eddie. Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents with us! 1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have to serve others." Captain Eddie used his knowledge, his time, his patience, his tools, and genuine kindness to serve us up a lovely fishing trip. Lord willing, we'll be back!!" - Emily
"great captain on top of everything could not have gone better. caught bunch of big trout !!" - Aaron
Redfish are the bread and butter of Fort Morgan inshore fishing. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches and put up a serious fight once hooked. They school up in shallow water during fall and spring, cruising grass flats and oyster bars looking for crabs and shrimp. Summer finds them scattered in deeper water, but they're still catchable around structure. What makes reds special is how they fight – long, powerful runs that test your drag and make your arms burn. They're also great eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening or grilling.
Speckled trout are the other main target and probably the most fun fish to catch in these waters. They're aggressive predators that hit topwater plugs with explosive strikes early and late in the day. During warmer months, look for them around grass beds and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water. Winter pushes them to deeper holes and channels where they stack up waiting for warmer water. Specks are excellent table fare – flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a simple pan-fry with some lemon.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage in Fort Morgan's sandy bottoms. These flatfish can grow surprisingly large – we're talking 15-20 inch fish that are thick as a dinner plate. They ambush prey from the sand, so you'll often catch them while bouncing bait along the bottom near drop-offs and channel edges. Fall is prime time when they're fattening
Your fishing adventure launches aboard a brand-new 2023 Robalo 25' center console, powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha engine that gets you to the fish quickly and smoothly. This spacious boat comfortably accommodates up to 6 anglers, though your group will be limited to 3 guests for a more personalized experience. The wide-open deck layout gives everyone plenty of room to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. Modern electronics including GPS navigation and a quality fish finder help Captain Eddie locate the best redfish and trout spots in Fort Morgan's productive inshore waters. The center console design provides excellent visibility for spotting tailing redfish in shallow grass flats, while the stable platform makes it easy for beginners and kids to learn proper casting techniques. With a cruising speed of 45 knots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water rather than running between spots. The boat's shallow draft allows access to those hidden back-bay areas where the big speckled trout like to feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the golden boys of our shallow flats, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and that signature black spot near the tail. Most run 20-30 inches, but we see plenty of slot fish perfect for dinner. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What makes reds special is their power and that distinctive way they tip down to feed, showing you their tails. They're also forgiving for beginners and taste great. Here's my secret: look for nervous water and mullet jumping - that usually means reds are feeding below. Cast past the disturbance and work your bait back through it slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing. These silvery beauties with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats and shallow bays. They're most active during dawn and dusk, especially in spring and fall when water temps are just right. What guests love about trout is their willingness to hit topwater lures - there's nothing like watching one explode on a surface plug at sunrise. They're also fantastic on the table with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for beginners to fillet. Pro tip: work your lures slowly over the grass beds and listen for that distinctive "drumming" sound they make when feeding. When you hear it, you know you're in the right spot.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the bay with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the best eating fish around. These guys typically run 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure with barnacles - docks, pilings, and jetties are prime spots. Spring months bring the best action when they're spawning around channel markers and passes. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth, so you've got to stay sharp. The meat is sweet and flaky, similar to snapper. Here's the key: use small hooks and fresh shrimp, and when you feel them nibbling, set that hook hard and fast. They've got tough mouths, so don't hesitate or they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are master ambush predators that bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to strike at passing bait. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches but can reach over 30 inches. You'll find them in our shallow bays, around oyster bars, and near creek mouths where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're moving toward spawning areas. What makes them special is their unique flat body with both eyes on one side - it's always a hit with kids on the boat. They're also excellent table fare with mild, white meat. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit first - they like to grab bait sideways before swallowing it.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - they look like floating debris until they turn sideways and show that distinctive three-lobed tail. These chunky fish average 2-13 pounds but can hit 40 pounds. You'll spot them floating near the surface around weed lines, crab trap buoys, or any floating structure. Summer through early fall is peak season when water temps stay above 70 degrees. What makes them exciting is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and thrash despite their bulky build, plus they taste incredible, often compared to grouper or snapper. The trick is being stealthy: cast well past them and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily, so keep noise to a minimum and let them come to you rather than casting right on top of them.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a BLAST. My husband gets sea sick so it was me taking my 13 year old son, 14 year old nephew, and my son's 13 year old fri...
great captain on top of everything could not have gone better. caught bunch of big trout !!
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