6-Hour Trolling/Bottom Fishing in Orange Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour trolling and bottom fishing adventure with Captain Mike SalleyTarget mackerel, snapper, grouper, amberjack, and cobia speciesAccommodates up to six guests along Alabama's scenic coastline
Captain Mike Salley knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 6-hour combo trip with Sure Shot Fishing Charters gives you the best of both worlds - we'll start by trolling the surface for fast-moving pelagics like mackerel, then drop down to work the bottom structure for snapper, grouper, and whatever else is hanging around the reefs. Orange Beach's offshore waters are loaded with fish year-round, and Mike's got the local knowledge to put your group of up to 6 anglers right where the action is hottest.
You'll meet Captain Mike at the marina in Orange Beach, where he'll get you set up on the Sure Shot and brief you on the day's game plan. The first part of your trip focuses on trolling - we'll run spreads of lures and baits while covering water at a steady clip, watching the fish finder and looking for birds, bait schools, and temperature breaks that hold spanish and king mackerel. Once we've worked the surface action, we'll transition to bottom fishing over some of Mike's proven reef spots and artificial structures. This is where the big snapper, grouper, and amberjack like to hang out, and we'll drop heavy tackle with cut bait and jigs to tempt them up from the depths. The ride back to the dock gives you time to clean your catch and swap stories about the day's best fish. No meals are included, so pack some snacks and plenty of water - six hours goes by fast when the fish are biting.
Captain Mike runs a well-equipped boat with quality tackle for both trolling and bottom fishing. For the trolling portion, we'll pull a spread of spoons, diving plugs, and rigged ballyhoo at different depths to cover the water column where mackerel cruise. The key is maintaining the right speed - usually 6-8 knots - and watching for subtle changes in water color or temperature that concentrate baitfish. When we switch to bottom fishing, we're talking about fishing in 60-120 feet of water over hard bottom, wrecks, and artificial reefs. We'll use circle hooks with heavy sinkers to get baits down fast in the current, and you'll need to keep steady pressure once a fish hits - grouper and snapper will head straight back to their holes if you give them any slack. Mike provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, plus he'll handle the net and gaff work when you get a fish to the boat.
Spanish Mackerel are one of the most reliable catches on Orange Beach trolling trips, especially during spring through fall. These silver speedsters typically run 1-3 pounds and hit trolled spoons and small plugs with aggressive strikes that'll wake up anyone dozing in the fighting chair. They're perfect for lighter tackle and put up a scrappy fight with plenty of jumps. The meat is excellent when bled and iced properly - great for smoking or grilling.
King Mackerel are the big brothers of the mackerel family, and Orange Beach waters produce some real smokers in the 15-40 pound range. Kings prefer live bait or large spoons trolled near structure, and they'll make blistering runs that can peel 100 yards of line in seconds. Summer and early fall are prime time, when kings follow bait schools along the beaches and around the offshore rigs.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and Alabama's waters consistently produce quality fish in the 3-10 pound range. These ruby-red fighters are structure-oriented and feed heavily on cut bait, squid, and small fish around reefs and wrecks. Snapper season varies by regulations, but when it's open, Captain Mike knows exactly where the schools stack up. They're strong fighters that use their broad sides to bulldoze toward cover.
Gag Grouper and Red Grouper both call Orange Beach's bottom structure home, with gags preferring slightly deeper water and harder bottom. These bruisers can range from keeper-sized fish around 5 pounds up to real monsters pushing 20-30 pounds. Grouper are ambush predators that inhale baits and immediately head for their rocky lairs, so you've got to horse them up quickly. Both species are table fare champions with firm, white meat that's perfect for any preparation.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef, and Orange Beach produces some real giants. These amber-sided fighters prefer deeper structure and will test your tackle and technique with powerful runs toward the bottom. AJs in the 15-40 pound range are common, and they'll give you a workout on heavy tackle. They're strong throughout the warm months and provide some of the most consistent action over deep reefs.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up anywhere from the surface to the bottom. These brown sharks lookalikes are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving skilled captains like Mike opportunities for sight fishing with live baits or jigs. Spring brings the cobia migration along Alabama's coast, when 20-50 pound fish cruise the shallows and around structure. They're excellent eating and one of the most prized catches in Gulf waters.
Captain Mike Salley and Sure Shot Fishing Charters have built a solid reputation putting Orange Beach anglers on fish, and this 6-hour combo trip gives you maximum variety and fish-catching opportunities. Whether you're after the speed and excitement of trolling or the steady action of bottom fishing, you'll experience the best of Alabama's Gulf fishing. The boat accommodates up to 6 people, making it perfect for families, groups of friends, or corporate outings. Orange Beach's year-round fishing means there's never a
Captain Mike Salley's fully equipped fishing boat is your ticket to productive waters off Orange Beach. This comfortable motorboat handles both trolling runs and bottom fishing spots with ease, powered by reliable engines that'll get you to the fish and back. The air-conditioned cabin keeps you cool between bites, while the onboard fridge stores your catch and cold drinks. Modern electronics including GPS, radar, and fish finder help locate the best fishing grounds, whether you're targeting surface mackerel or dropping lines for snapper and grouper on the bottom. The flybridge gives you elevated views of the action, and with a full galley, head, and sleeping berth, you'll have all the comforts needed for your 6-hour fishing adventure. Perfect for up to 6 anglers ready to experience Alabama's productive Gulf waters.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of bottom fishing around here, running 1-2 feet long and averaging 5-10 pounds. They live on hard bottom structure, reefs, and wrecks in 30-200 feet of water. Summer months give us the best action when they're most active and feeding heavily. These fish put up a solid fight and try to run straight back to cover once hooked. What really gets people excited is the eating - firm, sweet meat that's perfect for the grill or frying pan. The key to landing more snapper is getting your bait down fast with enough weight. They live right on the bottom, so if you're not getting hung up occasionally, you're probably fishing too high above them.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are chunky, gray fish with darker males and lighter, marbled females averaging 20 inches but capable of reaching 50+ inches. They hang around rocky bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 40-200 feet of water. Spring and fall fishing is typically best when they're more active and feeding. These fish are bulldogs - once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight into the rocks or wreck. That fight is exactly why anglers love them, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. Keep your drag locked tight and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you up in structure. Live pinfish or large cut baits work best, but make sure you're fishing right on the bottom where they live.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing, with their rusty red color and white spots making them easy to identify. Most run 5-15 pounds, though they can reach 50+ pounds. They prefer hard bottom and structure in 60-300 feet of water. These fish are available year-round but bite best spring through fall. What makes red grouper special is their incredible fight - they're bulldogs that will test your tackle and your arms. The meat is outstanding too, firm and sweet with a shellfish-like taste. Here's the trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let up. They'll try to get back in their hole, and if they make it, you'll likely lose them. Fresh cut bait like squid or crabs works best on the bottom.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are powerful, bluish-gray fish with that distinctive amber stripe down their sides. They average 20-40 pounds but can reach 60+ pounds and 5 feet long. Look for them around deep wrecks, reefs, and structure in 80-300 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're most aggressive. These fish are pure muscle and will give you a workout - they fight hard from the surface all the way to the boat. The meat is good eating when prepared fresh. My advice: use heavy tackle and don't try to horse them up too fast. Let them make their runs, keep steady pressure, and be patient. Live bait like blue runners work great, but large jigs bounced near the bottom will also get their attention.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the speed demons of our offshore waters, typically weighing 10-30 pounds with some pushing 50+ pounds. They cruise open water and structure in 40-150 feet, usually following baitfish movements. Spring through fall brings the best action when they're most active in our area. Kings are pure adrenaline - they'll scream line off your reel faster than almost any fish in the Gulf. The meat is good eating too, with rich, flaky flesh that's great smoked or grilled. When trolling for kings, use a wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the bait's nose and a stinger hook near the tail. They typically bite the back half of the bait, so that stinger hook will save you a lot of cut-offs.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that travel in large schools near the surface. They typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-4 pounds with silver sides and yellow spots. We find them around structure, flats, and open water from spring through fall when water temps warm up. They're some of the most fun fish to catch - hit hard and make screaming runs on light tackle. Plus they're great eating with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. When we're trolling, watch for diving birds or bait activity on the surface. Once we find a school, cast small spoons or jigs quickly - they spook easily but if you stay with them, you can load the cooler fast.
Rachycentron CanadumThese dark brown, shark-looking fish are solitary hunters that average around 6 feet and 100 pounds. You'll spot them cruising shallow waters near the surface, often around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're spawning and moving through our area. Guests love targeting cobia because they're strong fighters and make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Since they're usually alone rather than schooling, each fish is a trophy catch. My tip: when you see one, get your bucktail jig down fast and keep it moving - cobia are curious and aggressive, but they won't wait around long if your presentation looks unnatural.
Orange Beach, AL