6-Hour Trolling & Bottom Fishing Orange Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour combination trolling and bottom fishing adventureTarget snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia, and mackerel speciesProfessional captain Mike Salley guides up to six guests
Captain Mike Salley knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard Sure Shot Fishing Charters, you're getting a front-row seat to some of Alabama's best fishing action. This isn't just another charter – it's a full day on the water where you'll experience two completely different styles of fishing that showcase what makes Orange Beach such a renowned destination for anglers. You'll start by trolling the surface for aggressive pelagics, then drop down to the bottom structures where the big boys hang out, before making your way back home with hopefully a cooler full of fresh Gulf seafood.
Your day kicks off early as Captain Mike fires up the engines and heads out into the emerald waters of the Gulf. The morning usually starts with trolling – and there's something special about watching those outriggers dance while you cruise along the Alabama coastline. You'll be pulling lures through productive water where Spanish mackerel and kings love to patrol, looking for an easy meal. The captain knows exactly where to find the bait schools, and that's where you'll find your targets. Once you've had your fill of the surface action, it's time to switch gears completely. Mike will position the boat over some prime bottom structure – artificial reefs, natural ledges, or wrecks that hold serious fish. This is where things get interesting, because you never know what's going to come up from the depths. Could be a hefty red snapper, a stubborn grouper, or maybe even a bull amberjack that'll test your tackle and your patience.
The beauty of this trip is experiencing two totally different approaches to Gulf fishing. When you're trolling, Captain Mike will have multiple lines out at various depths and distances from the boat. You'll be using diving plugs, spoons, and live bait to cover water efficiently. The key is staying alert – when a rod tip starts bouncing, someone needs to grab it fast. Mackerel especially are notorious for throwing hooks if you give them any slack. For the bottom fishing portion, you'll switch to heavier tackle and drop down with cut bait, live bait, or jigs depending on what the fish are wanting that day. Mike carries quality circle hooks and knows the right weights to get your bait down quickly in this current. Bottom fishing requires patience, but when a big grouper or snapper decides to eat, you'll know it immediately. The captain will coach you through fighting these fish properly – keeping steady pressure and working them up slowly so they don't get into the structure and cut you off.
The Spanish mackerel around Orange Beach are absolute fish-fighting machines. These silver bullets typically run 2-4 pounds and hit trolled baits like freight trains. They're most active during the warmer months, and what makes them so exciting is their acrobatic fights – expect plenty of jumps and screaming runs. King mackerel are the big brothers in this family, and when you hook into a smoker king, you'll understand why they're called the fish of 1,000 casts. These toothy predators can stretch over 40 inches and will absolutely smoke your reel on that initial run. Red snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and the populations around Orange Beach have been strong in recent years. These ruby-red fighters are incredibly smart and incredibly stubborn – they'll try every trick in the book to get back to their rocky homes. Gag grouper are the ultimate test of an angler's patience and technique. These bottom-dwellers can exceed 20 pounds and are notorious for trying to get back into their holes the second they feel the hook. Red grouper are typically smaller than their gag cousins but no less challenging, with their distinctive red coloration and determined fighting style. Greater amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef – powerful, relentless, and capable of making even experienced anglers sweat. These amber-colored fighters can reach impressive sizes and will test every knot and connection on your rig. Cobia are one of the most prized catches in these waters, known for their incredible table fare and their curious nature around boats, sometimes following you for miles before deciding to bite.
Captain Mike Salley has built Sure Shot Fishing Charters' reputation on putting clients on fish and making sure everyone has a great time on the water. With space for up to six anglers, this trip offers excellent value for groups looking to experience the best of what Orange Beach fishing has to offer. The combination of trolling and bottom fishing means you're not putting all your eggs in one basket – if one bite isn't happening, you've got other options to keep the action going. The Gulf of Mexico around Orange Beach is loaded with fish year-round, and this six-hour format gives you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques without feeling rushed. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler with great eating fish or just want to experience the thrill of fighting Gulf species on proper tackle, this trip delivers both. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is hot and the weather is perfect.
Captain Mike Salley's Sure Shot sportfisher is built for serious fishing along Alabama's Gulf waters. This well-equipped motorboat handles both trolling runs and bottom fishing spots with ease, powered by reliable engines and guided by GPS and fish finder technology. The flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting birds and bait schools while trolling for mackerel and other pelagics. When it's time to drop lines for snapper, grouper, amberjack, and cobia, the boat's radar helps navigate to productive bottom structure even in low visibility. Between fishing action, you'll appreciate the air conditioning, onboard refrigerator for keeping your catch fresh, plus full amenities including a bed, toilet, and kitchen for longer trips. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the rails whether you're fighting a big amberjack or pulling up dinner from the depths.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing here in the Gulf. These beautiful red fish typically run 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, though we occasionally see monsters pushing 30-plus. They live around hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 30-200 feet of water. Summer months during snapper season are prime time. What guests love most is the aggressive bite and phenomenal eating - snapper has that perfect flaky, mild flavor that's hard to beat. They're scrappy fighters that'll try to get back to cover once hooked. My go-to technique is dropping live pinfish or cigar minnows right to the bottom near structure. Keep your drag tight and get them up quickly - they know every hiding spot down there.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are tough customers that'll test your tackle and technique. These gray, mottled fish average around 20 inches but can reach 50-plus inches and 80 pounds. They hang around rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in deeper water, with juveniles staying closer inshore. Spring and early summer are prime time before they head offshore. What makes gags special is their incredible fight - once hooked, they'll try everything to get back to their hole. They're also top-shelf eating with sweet, firm meat. We target them with live pinfish, mullet, or cut crab around structure. The secret is keeping your reel locked tight when you hook up - don't give them an inch or they'll dive straight into the rocks and break you off.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the most common grouper we target, and they're absolute bruisers once you hook them. These rusty-red fish with white spots average 5-10 pounds but can hit 50. They love muddy and rocky bottoms from 30-300 feet, especially around ledges and structure. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and fall are peak times. Guests love them because they fight hard and taste amazing - firm, flaky meat with a slightly sweet flavor. They're aggressive biters that'll hit live or cut bait. We use live pinfish, cut squid, or fresh shrimp. Key advice: use heavy tackle and keep steady pressure - they'll try to get back into their hole the second you hook them, so don't give them any slack.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bulldogs of offshore fishing - pure muscle and determination. These bluish-gray fish with the distinctive amber stripe can reach 6 feet and 40-plus pounds. We find them around wrecks, reefs, and structure in deeper water, typically 60-200 feet. Spring through early summer is prime time before the season closes. What makes amberjack special is their incredible power - they'll take you straight to the bottom and test every ounce of your tackle. They're decent eating when prepared right. We catch them on live bait, heavy jigs, or big spoons around structure. My tip: use at least 50-pound tackle and keep them moving up - if you let them sit and think about it, they'll wrap you around whatever structure they can find.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or "kings," are the speedsters that every angler wants to tangle with. These olive-colored torpedoes average around 30 pounds but can push 90-plus. We find them in 40-150 feet, often following bait schools and temperature breaks. Spring through fall are peak times when they're actively feeding. What gets people hooked is their blazing runs and aerial displays - they'll peel line like nothing else out there. They're also good eating, though the meat's a bit oily. We troll big spoons or slow-troll live bait on wire leaders. Pro tip: always use a stinger hook rig because kings are notorious for biting the tail end of your bait, and their razor teeth will slice through anything but wire.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are some of the fastest fish in these waters, and they put on a show when they're feeding. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds. You'll find schools of them near the surface around structure, especially during warmer months from spring through fall. They're absolute rockets when hooked - making blistering runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. We catch them trolling spoons or casting small jigs when we see birds working. Here's the key: use a light wire leader because their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat, but keep it short so you don't spook them.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are unique fish that often get mistaken for sharks due to their dark brown color and single dorsal fin. These solitary hunters average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them a serious challenge on the line. We find them around wrecks, reefs, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water during spring and summer months. What makes cobia special is they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat, plus they put up an amazing fight. They're aggressive predators that'll hit bucktail jigs, live bait, or even topwater lures. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure - they'll try to wrap your line around anything they can find to break free.
Orange Beach, AL