Extended Half Day Fishing in Gulf Shores
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing trip targeting Black Drum and RedfishCaptain Donnie provides expert guidance and premium fishing gearPrivate charter accommodates up to three guests comfortably
Captain Donnie Vinson knows these Gulf Shores waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 6-hour inshore adventure is the sweet spot for anglers who want more than a quick morning trip but don't need to commit to a full day on the water. You'll be fishing Alabama's productive back bays and nearshore waters where Black Drum, Redfish, Sea Trout, Sheepshead, and Summer Flounder call home. With room for up to 3 guests, this trip strikes the perfect balance between personalized attention and shared excitement when someone hooks up.
Team Vinson Charters runs a tight ship, and Captain Donnie's boat comes loaded with everything you need for a top-rated fishing experience. You'll launch early to beat the crowds and hit the prime feeding times when these inshore species are most active. The beauty of Gulf Shores fishing is the variety – one minute you're working structure for Sheepshead, the next you're sight-casting to cruising Redfish in skinny water. Captain Donnie reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Maybe the Sea Trout are stacked up on grass flats, or perhaps the Black Drum are schooled up near oyster bars. Either way, you're in for 6 solid hours of fishing action with a captain who puts his guests on fish. The intimate 3-person capacity means everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal coaching, whether you're a weekend warrior or this is your first time holding a fishing rod.
Captain Donnie supplies all the gear, so you can travel light and fish heavy. He's got medium-action spinning rods perfect for the mixed bag of species you'll target, plus circle hooks that make catch-and-release easier on the fish. Depending on what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks for Sea Trout, bouncing cut bait on the bottom for Black Drum, or working fiddler crabs around structure for Sheepshead. The captain knows when to switch from artificials to live bait, and he's not afraid to move spots if the bite slows down. Gulf Shores inshore fishing is all about reading the water – watching for baitfish, bird activity, and subtle changes in current and structure. You'll learn to spot the signs of fishy water while Captain Donnie shares local knowledge that only comes from years of running these waters professionally.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of this trip, with fish ranging from smaller "puppy drum" around 5-10 pounds up to true giants that can top 30 pounds. These fish love oyster bars and muddy bottoms where they root around for crabs and worms. Spring and fall offer the best Black Drum action in Gulf Shores, and when you hook a big one, you'll know it immediately. They make long, powerful runs that'll test your drag and your arms. What makes Black Drum special is their fighting style – they're not flashy jumpers, but they're bulldogs that use their broad sides and heavy bodies to wear you down.
Sea Trout, locally called "Specks," are the bread and butter of Gulf Shores inshore fishing. These beautiful spotted fish typically run 14-20 inches, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 5+ pounds. They're aggressive feeders that love live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater lures early in the morning. Sea Trout are most active during cooler months, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They school up over grass beds and sandy potholes, often giving away their location with surface strikes that send baitfish scattering. Landing a limit of quality Specks is always satisfying, and they're excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Redfish are the crowd-pleasers that get everyone excited. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches in these waters and are renowned for their aggressive strikes and powerful runs. Alabama Reds are particularly feisty, often making multiple jumps and long runs that'll have your reel screaming. They're year-round residents that move between shallow flats and deeper channels depending on tides and temperature. What makes Redfish special is their willingness to eat almost anything – cut bait, live shrimp, spoons, and soft plastics all produce. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near the tail.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that separates novice anglers from experienced ones. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth and are notorious bait thieves. They hang around structure like pilings, jetties, and oyster bars, making them predictable to find but tricky to hook. Sheepshead fishing requires patience, sensitivity, and quick hook sets. They're most active during cooler months and are considered world-class table fare. Landing a good Sheepshead feels like solving a puzzle, and Captain Donnie loves teaching guests the subtle techniques needed to fool these finicky fish.
Summer Flounder, or "Fluke," are the chameleons of the group. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms and ambush prey swimming overhead. They're fun to catch because they fight differently than other species – more like a small submarine than a traditional fish. Flounder fishing requires bouncing baits along the bottom and feeling for that subtle "tick" when they pick up your offering. They're most active during warmer months and are excellent eating. Spotting a good Flounder bite takes practice, but once you get the feel for it, you'll be hooked on this unique style of fishing.
This extended half-day trip gives you the best of both worlds – enough time to really get into the rhythm of fishing without committing
Get ready to fish Gulf Shores waters aboard Team Vinson Charters, a solid 25' Skeeter motorboat powered by a reliable 300 HP Yamaha engine. Captain Donnie's boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers and comes loaded with everything you need for a productive day targeting Black Drum, Redfish, and Sea Trout. The fighting chair is perfect for battling bigger fish, while the livewell keeps your catch fresh. Navigate the inshore waters with GPS and fish finder technology, plus radar for those hazy Gulf Coast mornings. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on feeding fish without spooking them. Between bites, grab a cold drink from the refrigerator or icebox. With outriggers ready for action and AC to beat the Alabama heat, this well-equipped fishing machine is built for serious angling and family fun on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers with powerful crushing jaws love hanging around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths in our brackish waters. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What makes them special? They're absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag, plus the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom near oyster bars, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, give them a second before setting the hook hard. They're notorious for mouthing bait before committing, but once hooked, get ready for a serious tug-of-war that'll have your arms burning.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored kings of shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their distinctive black spot near the tail. They range from schoolie-size around 20 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches and 30+ pounds. These fish love ultra-shallow flats, oyster reefs, and marsh edges - sometimes in water so thin their backs stick out. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're feeding heavily. What makes them so popular? They're sight-fishing gold, incredibly strong fighters, and the smaller ones are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The big bulls are all about the fight and photo opportunities. Here's my favorite approach: look for nervous water or tailing fish on shallow flats, then cast a gold spoon or soft plastic past them and work it back slowly. When they eat, hold on tight - redfish make long, powerful runs that'll test your drag and your nerves.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them over grass flats, around bayous, and near structure in 3-15 feet of water - they love areas with good current flow and baitfish activity. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action, though summer nights can be magic. What makes them special? They're aggressive strikers that hit topwater lures with explosive force, fight well pound-for-pound, and have tender, flaky white meat that's outstanding on the table. The key is not to overcook them since the meat is delicate. Here's a local secret: fish the grass flats early morning or late evening with live shrimp under a popping cork, or throw a topwater plug at first light. They'll announce their presence with that classic "pop" when they hit the surface.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - those black stripes over gray bodies make them unmistakable. They run 1-8 pounds typically, with the occasional 20-pounder around deeper structure. These guys live around anything with growth on it: dock pilings, jetties, bridges, and oil rigs where they munch barnacles and crabs with those human-like teeth. Spring brings the best fishing when they school up for spawning around channel passes and deeper structures. What draws people to them? They're incredibly challenging - notorious bait thieves that require perfect timing and sharp hooks. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's my go-to technique: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle nibbling, set the hook hard and fast. They'll test your patience but reward you with a great fight and better dinner.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the masters of disguise - these flatfish lie buried in sandy bottoms with both eyes on one side, perfectly camouflaged until they ambush passing baitfish. They typically run 15-20 inches and 2-4 pounds, though we see some nice 6+ pounders. Best fishing happens September through November when they're most active and feeding heavily before their offshore migration. You'll find them on sandy flats, around inlet mouths, and near structure edges in 10-30 feet of water. Folks love targeting them because they're tricky to fool, fight surprisingly well for a flatfish, and are absolutely delicious - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Here's the key: use live finger mullet or mud minnows on a sliding sinker rig, and fish it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle pickup, count to three before setting the hook - flounder grab baitfish sideways first, then turn to swallow head-first.
Fort Morgan, AL, United States