Gulf Shores Fishing Trips | 2 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Beginner-friendly inshore fishing adventure with expert crew guidanceTarget Redfish, Seatrout, Snook, and Snapper in Gulf watersTwo-hour charter accommodates up to two guests maximum
Looking to wet your line in some of Alabama's best inshore waters? This 2-hour fishing charter out of Gulf Shores is perfect for anyone wanting to learn the ropes or just enjoy a quick fishing fix without committing to a full day on the water. Our experienced crew at Sunrise Charters knows these backwaters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish while teaching you everything you need to know about inshore angling. Whether you've never held a rod or you're just getting back into the sport, this beginner-friendly trip gives you hands-on experience targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most popular species. With a maximum of 2 guests, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of chances to ask questions while we work the grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow channels where these fish love to hang out.
We'll meet you at the marina bright and early, getting you rigged up and ready to fish before heading out to our prime inshore spots. The beauty of fishing Gulf Shores is the variety – one minute you're working a grass flat in 3 feet of water, the next you're casting around oyster bars or structure where fish love to ambush baitfish. Our captains read the water conditions daily, so we'll adjust our game plan based on tides, wind, and what the fish are doing. You'll learn how to read the water yourself – spotting nervous bait, understanding how tides affect fish movement, and recognizing the subtle signs that separate productive water from dead zones. The intimate 2-person setup means you're not competing for the captain's attention or waiting in line to cast. This is your chance to really dial in your technique and gain confidence on the water. We provide all the gear you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait, so you can focus on learning and having fun rather than worrying about what to bring.
Inshore fishing in Gulf Shores is all about finesse and reading the situation. We'll primarily use spinning gear loaded with 15-20 lb test, perfect for the structure-rich environment where these fish live. You'll learn multiple techniques during the trip – live bait fishing with shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics on jig heads around oyster bars, and maybe even some topwater action if conditions are right. The key to success here is understanding how each species behaves differently. We'll show you how to work a paddle tail through the grass without getting hung up, how to present live bait naturally in the current, and when to switch up your retrieve speed based on what the fish are telling you. Our tackle selection focuses on proven Gulf Coast favorites – D.O.A. shrimp, Gulp baits, and quality circle hooks that help ensure successful releases. The water we fish ranges from 2 to 8 feet deep, so we're sight fishing a lot of the time, which makes it incredibly educational. You'll see exactly how fish react to your presentation and learn to adjust on the fly. This hands-on approach builds real fishing skills that you'll use wherever you wet a line.
Sheepshead are one of the most challenging and rewarding fish you can target in these waters. Known as the "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, these guys have human-like teeth and a serious attitude about stealing your bait. They hang around any hard structure – pier pilings, oyster bars, rock piles – where they use those chompers to crush barnacles, crabs, and fiddlers. Sheepshead are notorious bait thieves, so learning to fish for them teaches you patience and feel that makes you a better angler overall. They average 2-4 pounds in these waters, but 6+ pounders show up regularly, especially during their winter spawn when they stack up around structure. What makes them so fun is the challenge – you need perfect bait presentation, quick reflexes to set the hook, and enough finesse to keep them from breaking you off in the rocks. Once you master sheepshead fishing, every other species feels easier.
Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Gulf Shores inshore fishing. These gorgeous fish with their distinctive spots and soft mouths are found year-round in our grass flats and sandy potholes. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively, but even summer fishing can be fantastic early and late in the day. Trout are perfect for beginners because they're forgiving – they'll eat live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs with equal enthusiasm. They average 14-18 inches here, with plenty of 20+ inch "gator trout" mixed in to keep things interesting. What makes trout special is how they fight – that first run when you hook one will get your heart pumping, and their tendency to jump adds excitement to every hookup. They're also excellent eating if you decide to keep a few within the slot limits, making them a favorite target for families and food-focused anglers.
Redfish are the ultimate inshore gamefish and the reason many people fall in love with shallow water fishing. These copper-colored bruisers are built for power, with broad shoulders and stamina that will test your drag system and your arms. In Gulf Shores waters, reds range from schoolie fish around 18-22 inches up to bull reds exceeding 30 inches and 15+ pounds. They're year-round residents but really turn on during fall when they school up for their spawn. What makes redfish so addictive is their aggressive nature – they'll crush topwater plugs, inhale live bait, and absolutely destroy soft plastics worked along the bottom. You'll find them tailing in skinny water, cruising grass flats, and ambushing prey around oyster bars. The sight fishing opportunities are world-class here, with clear water letting you see these fish before you cast to them. There's nothing quite like watching a big red turn
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Gulf Shores aboard our 27-foot Shearwater bay boat! This 2018 vessel packs serious fishing power with its 350HP Yamaha engine that'll cruise at 62 knots, getting you to the best inshore spots fast. Perfect for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to cast and fight fish while targeting redfish, seatrout, snook, and snapper in the shallow bays and flats. The boat's wireless trolling motor lets us quietly approach fish without spooking them, while the GPS and fish finder help locate where they're biting. Whether you're new to fishing or want to sharpen your skills, our experienced crew will teach you the techniques that work in these Gulf waters. With an onboard restroom for comfort during your 2-hour trip, you can focus on learning to read the water, proper casting, and landing your catch. This beginner-friendly charter gives you hands-on experience in some of Alabama's most productive fishing grounds.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored powerhouses of our shallow flats, easily spotted by that distinctive black eyespot near their tail. These bruisers average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ inches and really test your drag. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marshy shorelines. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up in big numbers. What guests love most is sight-fishing to cruising reds in clear, shallow water - it's like hunting with a fishing rod. They're strong fighters that make long runs and have excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. My secret: look for nervous water and "waking" fish, then cast ahead of their path with a gold spoon or topwater plug.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots that love our grass flats and shallow bays. They typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising in 2-6 feet of water, especially around grass beds and sandy potholes. Best fishing happens during dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but they bite year-round in our Gulf waters. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching a trout explode on a surface plug at sunrise. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: work those grass edges slowly with a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese gray and black striped fish earn their "convict fish" nickname from those distinctive bars running down their sides. What really sets them apart are their human-like teeth - built for crushing barnacles and crabs around dock pilings, jetties, and bridge structures. Most sheepshead run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though the occasional 20-pounder keeps things interesting. They're notorious bait thieves, so you'll need to set that hook hard when you feel them nibbling. Spring months from February through April are prime time when they move into shallower waters to spawn. The meat is sweet and flaky - excellent table fare if you can handle those tough scales. My tip: get your bait right against the structure and be ready for that subtle bite.
Gulf Shores, AL