5.0(2 Reviews)Perdido Key Inshore Fishing Adventure
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target flounder, redfish, and black drum in calm watersCaptain Brian provides 20+ years of local expertiseSmall group fishing from comfortable 24foot center console
Ready to get your lines wet in some of Alabama's best inshore fishing waters? Captain Brian Wass has been working these flats and nearshore waters around Perdido Key for over two decades, and he knows exactly where the fish are holding. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – you're getting a personalized 4-hour fishing experience targeting redfish, flounder, black drum, and whatever else is biting. With only 2 anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to cast and all the attention you need to put fish in the boat. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or just enjoy some quality time on the water, this trip delivers the goods.
You'll be fishing from Captain Brian's 24-foot center console – perfect for navigating the shallow flats and making quick runs to productive spots. The boat's size means you're not crowded with a bunch of other anglers, and there's plenty of deck space to work your fish properly. Morning trips typically start around sunrise when the water's calm and fish are actively feeding, while afternoon sessions can be great when the wind dies down and evening bite kicks in. The inshore and nearshore waters around Perdido Key offer protection from big swells, so even if it's a bit breezy offshore, you'll still have fishable conditions. Captain Brian's got the local knowledge to adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been producing lately.
This area's all about reading the water and putting your bait where the fish want it. You'll be working grass flats, oyster bars, and channel edges using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are telling you. Captain Brian keeps the boat positioned just right so you can make accurate casts to structure without spooking the fish. Expect to use medium-action spinning gear that's perfect for the size fish you're targeting – not too heavy that you can't feel the bite, but with enough backbone to turn a bull redfish away from the oysters. The nearshore structure holds different species, so you might switch up tactics throughout the trip. Don't worry if you're new to inshore fishing – Captain Brian will show you the ropes and keep your hooks baited so you can focus on the fight.
"the first 30 mins were slow but that was it. He quickly found the fish and kept putting us on them all day. we caught a large variety of fish from red fish, speckled trout to black drum and even a venomous toad fish. He had a great attitude and was non stop baiting our lines and helping if we got snagged." - Shaundra
"Our trip very family friendly and guide was super patient with our kids. We would come again! Captain did a great job getting us to the fish and we had a great time. Trip is great for anyone beginner or advanced. Was cold during our trip but we still caught plenty of fish. future guest should ensure they dress appropriately if going to be chilly. Also make sure to bring snacks!" - Morgan
Redfish are the bread and butter of Perdido Key inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars, typically running 18-27 inches in this area. They're not the smartest fish in the Gulf, but they'll give you a solid fight with some nice runs once hooked. Best action usually comes during moving water on the flats, especially around dawn and dusk. Redfish bite year-round here, though fall and winter often produce the biggest fish as they school up for their offshore spawning runs.
Summer flounder are flat-out fun to catch and even better on the dinner table. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Around Perdido Key, you'll find them along channel edges and near inlet mouths in 8-15 feet of water. They hit live bait hard and put up a surprisingly good fight for a flatfish. Summer is peak season, as the name suggests, but you can find keeper-size fish from late spring through early fall. The tricky part is getting them to commit – they'll often short-strike, so you need to give them a second to really eat the bait.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs once you hook one. These bottom-dwellers love oyster bars and pilings, using their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish and crabs. In Perdido Key waters, you'll typically find them in 5-20 feet around structure, and they can range from puppy drum at a couple pounds to heavyweight brutes pushing 30-40 pounds. They're not fast, but they use their size and the structure to their advantage. Black drum are available year-round, with spring and fall producing the most consistent action as they move through the area.
Grey snapper bring some offshore excitement to your inshore trip. These aggressive feeders school around any available structure – artificial reefs, natural bottom, even channel markers. They're quick to bite but just as quick to break you off if you don't get them away from their hiding spots fast. Grey snapper in these waters typically run 12-16 inches, perfect for the dinner table. They're most active during warmer months and bite best on live or fresh cut bait. The key is getting your bait down quickly before the smaller fish steal it, and then applying steady pressure once you hook up.
King mackerel add some serious speed to your fishing day. These nearshore predators patrol the edges looking for schools of baitfish, and when they find them, the action can be wide open. Kings around Perdido Key typically range from schoolie-size fish around 10-15 pounds up to smoker kings pushing 20-30 pounds. They're
This 24-foot 2016 Key West center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Perdido Key's productive waters. The 250HP Yamaha gets you to the fishing grounds quickly, cruising at up to 40 knots, then the wireless trolling motor lets you work the shallows quietly without spooking those redfish and flounder. The fish finder helps locate bottom structure where black drum hang out, while GPS keeps you on productive spots. Perfect size for up to 4 anglers who want room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access and plenty of deck space for landing those Gulf Coast favorites. Built tough for Alabama's inshore waters where the action happens.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're built like tanks and fight accordingly, making long, powerful runs that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, sweet meat. What sets them apart is their adaptability - they'll move into surprisingly shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing. Pro tip: fresh blue crab is the ultimate bait, and fish it right on the bottom with enough weight to stay put in the current.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso known as Mangrove Snapper, these copper-red fish are some of the smartest you'll encounter around Perdido Key. They typically run 1-3 pounds inshore, with that distinctive dark stripe across their eye and pointed snout. You'll find them hanging around docks, piers, and any structure where they can ambush prey. They're nocturnal by nature, so early morning and late evening bites are usually best. What makes them special is their wariness - they'll study your bait before committing, making each catch feel earned. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find. My advice: use live shrimp on a 4J hook, let it sit still on the bottom near structure, and when you feel that tap, don't jerk - just start reeling steady to set the hook properly.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are pure speed demons that'll test your reflexes and gear when they hit. These silvery rockets typically weigh 15-30 pounds, though we see some pushing 40+ pounds in deeper water. They patrol the 40-150 foot depths but will chase bait right up to the nearshore waters. Summer through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on schools of baitfish. What makes them special is their blistering speed and acrobatic jumps - they're like the sports cars of the fish world. The meat has a rich, oily texture that's perfect for grilling or smoking. Their razor-sharp teeth mean you need wire leaders, and they're notorious for hitting the back half of live bait. My go-to setup is a dual hook rig with the first hook in the bait's nose and a stinger hook trailing behind - that way you're ready when they make their classic tail-first attack.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-bronze beauties with their signature black eyespots typically run 18-28 inches in our shallow waters. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs are sticking out. Fall and spring are prime times when they school up and feed aggressively on crabs and shrimp. What makes them special is their powerful runs and that distinctive "thump" when they hit your lure. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The black spot near their tail is nature's trick to confuse predators into attacking the wrong end. For consistent success, work topwater plugs over shallow flats early morning or late evening - nothing beats watching a big red blow up on a surface lure in skinny water.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, able to change colors like chameleons to match their surroundings. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and are ambush predators that bury themselves in sand with just their eyes showing. You'll find them on sandy flats and near structure in 10-40 feet of water. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're most active and feeding heavily before their offshore migration. What makes them special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and their excellent table quality with sweet, white meat. They're also surprisingly strong fighters for a flatfish. The key to success is keeping your bait moving slowly along the bottom with live minnows or sea worms, and always use a circle hook since they bite sideways.
5.0 out of 5.0the first 30 mins were slow but that was it. He quickly found the fish and kept putting us on them all day. we caught a large var...
Our trip very family friendly and guide was super patient with our kids. We would come again! Captain did a great job getting us t...
Perdido Key