5.0(1 Reviews)Half Day Inshore Fishing - Gulf Shores, AL
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure targeting redfish and speckled troutLight tackle techniques guided by experienced Captain ZachAll gear and fishing licenses included for convenient experience
Captain Zach's half-day inshore fishing trips in Gulf Shores offer the perfect balance of action and relaxation on Mobile Bay's most productive waters. This 4-hour adventure gets you away from the crowds and into the heart of Alabama's premier inshore fishing grounds, where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout ambush baitfish along grass lines. Whether you're a first-timer looking to learn the ropes or a seasoned angler wanting to explore new waters, this top-rated charter delivers consistent action with the personal touch that keeps customers coming back season after season.
Your morning starts with Captain Zach meeting you at the dock, where he'll get you set up with everything you need for a successful day of fishing. The beauty of this half-day trip is the flexibility – you can choose morning or afternoon departure times that work with your schedule. Mobile Bay's inshore waters are famous for their year-round fishing opportunities, and Zach knows exactly where to find the fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll explore productive flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where gamefish hunt for shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. The shallow waters mean you're always close to the action, and with only 2 anglers maximum, you get personalized attention and plenty of casting opportunities. This isn't a cattle boat operation – it's quality fishing with a captain who genuinely wants you to catch fish and have a great time doing it.
Captain Zach specializes in light tackle fishing, which means you'll feel every headshake and run when a redfish grabs your bait. All gear is provided, from rods and reels perfectly matched for inshore species to a full selection of lures, live bait, and terminal tackle. Depending on conditions and fish activity, you might be casting soft plastics along oyster bars, drifting live shrimp under popping corks, or working topwater plugs over grass flats during low light periods. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the trip – if the fish want live bait, that's what you'll use. If they're hitting artificials, he'll have you throwing the right lures in the right colors. Fishing licenses are included, so you don't need to worry about paperwork. Just bring yourself, sun protection, and a cooler with drinks and snacks if you want them. The boat is equipped with all safety gear, fish cleaning station, and plenty of storage for your catch.
"It was a great trip for me and my 3 boys. Zach took us right to the fish!" - Josh
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that test your reflexes and light tackle skills. These sleek predators show up in Gulf Shores waters from late spring through early fall, typically running 1-3 pounds with occasional larger fish that'll peel drag. They're notorious for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps, making them a blast on light spinning gear. Spanish mackerel are excellent table fare with firm, flaky white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying. Captain Zach finds them around structure, bait schools, and current breaks where they feed aggressively on small baitfish. When the bite is on, you can catch multiple fish in quick succession.
Summer Flounder, also known as fluke, are the masters of camouflage that provide some of the most challenging and rewarding fishing in Mobile Bay. These flatfish can grow impressive sizes, with doormat-sized specimens over 5 pounds not uncommon in these waters. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to strike at passing prey. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you need to work baits slowly along the bottom and feel for that subtle tap that signals a bite. They're prized for their sweet, mild flavor and firm texture that makes them a customer favorite for the dinner table. Peak season runs from late spring through fall when they're most active in the shallows.
Sea Trout, particularly the spotted variety known as speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Gulf Shores inshore fishing. These beautiful gamefish are perfect for light tackle, typically ranging from 12-20 inches with trophy fish over 2 pounds that fight well above their weight class. Specks are structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, oyster bars, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small fish. They're most active during moving tides and low light conditions, making them ideal targets for this half-day format. The key is matching the hatch – when they're feeding on shrimp, live or artificial shrimp presentations work best. When they're chasing baitfish, soft plastics and topwater lures produce explosive strikes.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and Mobile Bay's population is world-class. These copper-colored bulldogs are famous for their powerful runs and stubborn fights that can test your tackle and technique. Slot-sized reds typically run 16-27 inches and provide perfect action on light tackle, while oversized bull reds over 27 inches must be released but offer the fight of a lifetime. Redfish are year-round residents that adapt to seasonal changes, moving shallow in warmer months and deeper during winter. They're opportunistic feeders that eat everything from blue crabs to mullet, making them responsive to various baits and lures. Captain Zach targets them around oyster bars, marsh edges, and shallow flats where they cruise in search of food. The sight of a redfish's copper back and distinctive black spot never gets old.
This half-day inshore fishing trip offers everything you need for a memorable day on the water without the time commitment of a full-
This reliable 24' Ranger center console brings serious fishing capability to Gulf Shores waters. The 275hp Mercury engine delivers smooth rides across Mobile Bay, getting you to productive fishing spots quickly while handling coastal chops with ease. Built for inshore action, the wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through shallow areas where redfish and speckled trout like to hide. GPS navigation keeps you on course while the fish finder helps locate structure and schools below. The center console design gives everyone room to move around and fight fish comfortably. Whether you're casting to grass flats or working oyster bars, this boat puts you in position for solid fishing action along Alabama's coast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the signature catch of our Mobile Bay trips and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 20-30 inches with that distinctive black spot near their tail. They cruise the shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass beds, and marshy shorelines year-round. What gets anglers hooked is watching them tail in skinny water and that powerful, bulldogging fight once you hook up. They're also fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat that's perfect on the grill. Fall and spring are peak times when they're most active, but you can catch them any season. These fish aren't picky eaters - they'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, and plenty of artificials. Here's my local tip: look for nervous water or slight wakes in the shallows, then make a quiet approach and drop your bait right in their path. Patience pays off with these smart fish.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here in Gulf Shores. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but can push 5 pounds when conditions are right. They love grass flats and shallow waters around Mobile Bay, especially areas with good current flow and structure. Spring and fall are prime seasons, though they bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're scrappy fighters that make multiple runs. The meat is tender and flaky - perfect for a fish fry. During cooler months, look for them in deeper holes and channels where they school up. My local secret: fish the grass edges at dawn and dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp. The sound of that cork popping drives them crazy, and you'll see some aggressive strikes that'll get your heart pumping.
Scomberomorus MaculatusThese silver speedsters are some of the most fun fish you'll hook on our trips. Spanish mackerel typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh around 2-3 pounds, but they punch way above their weight class when it comes to fight. You'll find them schooling near the surface around Mobile Bay's structures and drop-offs, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. They love hitting shiny spoons and small jigs trolled at a decent clip. What makes them special is that explosive initial run - they'll peel line off your reel and make multiple jumps. Plus, they're fantastic eating with that mild, flaky white meat that grills up perfectly. Here's a local trick: when you see birds diving, get your lures in the water fast. Those schools move quick, but if you stay with them, you can catch a cooler full in no time.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms. These flatfish typically measure 15-20 inches and can change color to match whatever they're lying on - pretty cool to watch. You'll find them buried in the sand around Mobile Bay's deeper channels and drop-offs, usually in 8-25 feet of water. Fall months are prime time when they're feeding heavy before winter. What guests love is the challenge - they're ambush predators that require finesse and patience. The bite feels like you've snagged bottom until they start that bulldogging fight. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My go-to technique is dragging live shrimp or finger mullet right along the bottom near structure. Keep your bait moving slow and steady - when you feel that subtle weight, set the hook and hang on.
5.0 out of 5.0It was a great trip for me and my 3 boys. Zach took us right to the fish!
Josh Jobe, Thank you! You guys were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip!
Gulf Shores, AL