5.0(2 Reviews)Inshore Redfish & Trout Charter in Gulf Shores
5.0(2 reviews)
Shared Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour shared charter targeting redfish and spotted seatroutProfessional first mate provides gear assistance and regulation guidanceAll rods, reels, and live bait included in rate
Looking for a solid morning of fishing without the hassle of gearing up yourself? This shared charter puts you right in the sweet spots where Gulf Shores' best inshore action happens. Captain Kevin and his crew know these waters like the back of their hand, running between the Intracoastal Waterway, Mobile Bay, and Orange Beach Pass to find where the fish are biting. Whether you're a first-timer or have been wetting lines for years, this 3-hour trip is designed to put fish in the cooler while you learn the ropes from pros who live and breathe these waters.
Your day kicks off at 8:00 AM, which is prime time for inshore fishing along the Alabama Gulf Coast. The crew reads the weather and tides like a playbook, adjusting the route to hit the most productive spots. Some days that means working the grass flats toward Dauphin Island, other times you'll find yourself casting around the structure near Bay La Launch. The beauty of fishing with locals is they know exactly where to go when conditions change. All your gear is covered – quality rods, reels, and fresh live bait that these species can't resist. No need to worry about licenses either, as you're fishing under the boat's permit. The First Mate stays busy keeping everyone's lines wet and making sure you're following all the seasonal regs that change throughout the year.
This isn't about casting blindly and hoping for the best. The crew runs a mix of techniques depending on what's working that day and what species are most active. You'll likely be fishing with live shrimp under popping corks when working the grass beds for trout, then switching to cut bait on the bottom when redfish are cruising the oyster bars. The tackle is perfectly matched to these inshore conditions – medium action rods that can handle a bull red but won't overpower a speckled trout. Circle hooks are the standard here, which makes releasing fish cleaner and keeps everyone within regulations. When the crew spots birds working or sees bait getting pushed around, expect to move quickly to capitalize on the action. That's the difference between fishing with guides who know the signs versus going it alone.
"Great Experience! Took us to a great spot to catch some red snapper and cleaned the fish for us! Kevin is a down to earth guy and his deckhand Joe was a hard worker. Highly recommend! Will return for round 2!" - Kyle
"We had a great time! We had lots of laughs and Kevin and Joe both were great help in teaching us how to do it. They gave lots of tips and explained everything where we understood and were able to catch a lot! They even cleaned our fish for us at the end. From start to end of our trip it was a great experience and we will definitely be back!!" - Abigail
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Shores inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish that make excellent table fare. Reds are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in massive numbers. What makes them so exciting is their fight – they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to bulldoze against your drag. Look for them around oyster bars, grass edges, and anywhere baitfish are getting nervous. The best part about redfish is they're not overly finicky – they'll eat live shrimp, cut mullet, or crabs when they're feeding.
Spotted Seatrout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots and sharp teeth typically run 14-20 inches, with trophy specimens pushing 25 inches or better. Spring and fall are peak times, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. Trout are structure-oriented, hanging around grass beds, drop-offs, and shell bars where they can ambush prey. They're notorious for their soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than power. When you hook into a good speck, you'll hear that distinctive head-shaking that telegraphs right up your line.
Spanish Mackerel bring pure speed and excitement to the mix. These silver bullets average 12-16 inches and are absolutely fearless when it comes to attacking bait. Summer months are prime time for Spanish, and they'll often announce their presence by blowing up schools of glass minnows on the surface. Their razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate aggressive fish. While they're not the biggest fish you'll catch, pound-for-pound they're some of the strongest fighters in these waters.
Grey Snapper, also known as mangrove snapper, are the opportunists of the inshore scene. These smart fish typically range 10-14 inches around structure like docks, bridges, and rocky areas. They're year-round residents but become more active during warmer months. What makes them challenging is their wariness – they'll inspect your bait thoroughly before committing. Once hooked, they dive straight for cover, testing both your drag and your ability to turn them quickly. Their excellent table quality makes the effort worthwhile.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore world, with fish ranging from puppy drum around 16 inches to giants that can exceed 30 pounds. These bottom-dwellers are most active in spring and fall when they move into shallower water to feed on oysters and crabs. Their powerful, steady pulls are completely different from the flashy runs of other species. You'll find them around oyster beds and shell bars, where their pharyngeal teeth allow them to crush shellfish that other fish can
Hit the water aboard our 24' Kenner center console, a fishing machine built for Gulf Shores inshore action. This boat comes rigged with a 225HP Mercury that'll get you to the fish fast, plus a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on those spooky redfish in shallow water. The GPS and fish finder take the guesswork out of finding productive spots, while the radar keeps you safe when morning fog rolls in. Perfect for targeting reds and trout in the backcountry flats or making quick runs to nearshore structure for snapper. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access and plenty of room to work a fish. Whether you're sight-casting to tailing reds or bottom fishing around structure, this boat handles Gulf Shores waters like a champ.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically ranging from 5-30 pounds with some real monsters pushing 50+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and areas around Mobile Bay where they can crunch on crabs and shellfish with those strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What makes them special is that deep, steady pull - no flashy jumps, just pure bulldogging power that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones are better released. You'll actually hear them "drumming" underwater during spawning season. Best local tip: fresh peeler crab on a circle hook fished right on the bottom. The key is being patient - they'll mouth the bait before committing, so give them time.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper as most folks call them, are smart little fighters that typically run 1-3 pounds in our waters. They love hanging around structure - docks, pilings, oyster bars, and any kind of cover where they can ambush prey. These copper-colored fish with that dark eye stripe are opportunistic feeders, which makes them tricky but rewarding to catch. They're more active during moving tides and low-light conditions. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are cautious and the fight is solid once hooked. The white, flaky meat is some of the best table fare you'll find inshore. My go-to tip: use live shrimp hooked through the tail, let it sink to the bottom near structure, then barely lift it off. Don't jerk when you feel the bite - let them take it and swim off before setting the hook gently.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore trips, running anywhere from 18-35 inches around Gulf Shores. These copper-red beauties with the signature black spot near their tail love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and the marshes around Mobile Bay. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What makes them so popular is that powerful, bulldogging fight and their willingness to eat almost anything. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with mild, sweet meat. The sight-fishing opportunities are amazing on calm days when you can actually see them tailing in shallow water. Pro tip: when you spot a redfish tailing, cast well ahead of where it's moving and work your bait slowly back toward them. They spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or Speckled Trout as we call them, are a mainstay of our inshore fishing here. They typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with those beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. You'll find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in the deeper holes of Mobile Bay. They're most active during moving water, especially early morning and evening. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're more aggressive. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're not overly finicky. The fight is fun with some good head shakes, and they're excellent table fare with tender, white meat. Just don't overcook them or they get mushy. Local tip: work a soft plastic jig slowly along the bottom of grass flats during moving tides. The bite is often subtle, so watch your line.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-3 pounds on average around Gulf Shores. You'll spot them by their silver sides covered in yellow spots and that distinctive streamlined body built for speed. They love to school up near the surface, especially around structure and baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are right. What makes them fun to target is that explosive strike when they hit your lure - they're lightning fast and put up a scrappy fight. The meat is excellent eating too, mild and flaky when cooked fresh. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds, get over there quick. Spanish Mackerel often feed in the same schools as the baitfish those birds are after. Small spoons and jigs worked fast through the school usually do the trick.
5.0 out of 5.0Great Experience! Took us to a great spot to catch some red snapper and cleaned the fish for us! Kevin is a down to earth guy and ...
We had a great time! We had lots of laughs and Kevin and Joe both were great help in teaching us how to do it. They gave lots of t...
Gulf Shores, AL