Gulf Shores Inshore Fishing: Half & Full Day Trips
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Flexible 4, 6, or 8hour inshore fishing options availableTarget King Mackerel, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, and Speckled TroutFamilyfriendly Gulf Shores trip accommodates up to 3 guests
Looking for some solid inshore action without the long boat ride? Our Gulf Shores fishing trips put you right where the fish are biting. With Triple Threat Fishing, you get your pick of 4, 6, or 8-hour adventures targeting some of the Gulf's most popular species. We keep groups small at just 3 anglers max, so you'll get plenty of personalized attention whether you're teaching the kids to cast or working on your own technique. The inshore waters around Gulf Shores are loaded with King Mackerel, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, and Speckled Trout year-round. No matter your skill level, our crew knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on fish.
Gulf Shores inshore fishing is all about variety and consistency. We'll be working the grass flats, structure, and drop-offs where these fish love to hang out. The beauty of inshore fishing here is that you're never more than a few miles from the dock, but you're still getting into some serious fish. Depending on the time of year and what's biting best, we might be drift fishing over structure for Kings, sight fishing the flats for Reds, or working the grass beds for Trout. The water stays relatively calm compared to offshore trips, making this perfect for families or anyone who gets a bit seasick on the big water. You'll spend your day actually fishing instead of running to spots, and with our flexible trip lengths, you can customize your experience to fit your schedule and energy level.
We've got all the tackle dialed in for these inshore species. For the Kings and Spanish Mackerel, we'll be using wire leaders and pulling spoons or live bait depending on what they're eating. The Redfish and Trout fishing calls for lighter tackle - we're talking about casting soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs when conditions are right. There's nothing quite like watching a big Red crush a topwater bait in shallow water. We provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need. If you've got your own gear and want to bring it, that's cool too - just let us know what you're working with so we can plan accordingly. Live bait makes a huge difference out here, so we'll have fresh shrimp and whatever else is working that week.
Spanish Mackerel are the perfect starter fish for kids and new anglers. They're aggressive biters, fight hard for their size, and are absolutely delicious on the table. You'll typically find them in 15-30 feet of water around structure and baitfish schools. Spring through fall is prime time, with the best action happening when the water temperature is between 70-80 degrees. They'll hit spoons, small jigs, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. What makes them so fun is their speed - when you hook one, it's going to take off and give you a real fight.
Sheepshead are the ultimate challenge for anglers who like to finesse their fishing. These black-and-white striped fish have some of the strongest jaws in the Gulf and are notorious bait thieves. They hang around structure like pilings, bridges, and reefs, picking off crabs and barnacles. Winter months are actually prime time for Sheepshead fishing, when other species slow down. You need to have quick reflexes and feel for the lightest bite - they'll steal your bait before you know they're there. Landing a good Sheepshead is a real accomplishment, and they're fantastic eating.
King Mackerel are the speedsters of the inshore waters. Even the smaller Kings we catch inshore will give you an arm-burning fight with their blistering runs. They're ambush predators that follow bait schools, so we'll be looking for birds and surface activity. Spring and fall migrations bring the best King fishing, but summer can be hot too when they're chasing Spanish Sardines and Threadfins. A 20-pound King will test your tackle and your endurance. They're also one of the best eating fish in the Gulf when prepared right.
Sea Trout, or Speckled Trout as we call them down here, are the bread and butter of Gulf Coast fishing. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass beds, drop-offs, and shell bottom. What's great about Trout is their predictability - once you find them, you can usually catch several from the same spot. They're most active during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. A good Trout will go 15-20 inches, and anything over 20 inches is a real trophy. They're perfect for light tackle and respond well to both artificial lures and live bait.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing in Alabama. These copper-colored bruisers can be found from skinny water flats to deeper channels. What makes them special is their power - even a smaller Red will pull drag and make long runs. They're sight fishing opportunities when they're tailing in shallow water, but they also school up in deeper water during certain times of year. Fall is absolutely prime time for Bull Reds over 27 inches, while summer offers great action on slot-size fish. They're curious fish that will often follow your bait, giving you a second or third chance if you miss the first bite.
Gulf Shores inshore fishing delivers consistent action in a family-friendly setting. Whether you choose a quick 4-hour trip to get your feet wet or commit to a full 8-hour day, you're going to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Gulf has to offer. Our small group size means everyone gets hands-on attention, and our local knowledge puts you on fish instead of just riding
Your Gulf Shores fishing adventure awaits aboard a spacious 26' Blackjack bay boat, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish, speckled trout, and king mackerel in these productive inshore waters. This reliable vessel accommodates up to 6 anglers and comes fully loaded with quality rods, reels, tackle, and live bait when available. The boat features a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to shallow flats where the fish hide, plus GPS and fish finder technology to keep you on top of the action. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those hot Gulf Coast days. Whether you're planning a quick 4-hour morning trip or going all-in with 8 hours on the water, this setup handles it all. Perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to saltwater fishing or experienced anglers looking to explore the backwaters and nearshore structure. Your fishing license is included, so just bring sunscreen, snacks, and get ready to bend some rods in one of Alabama's premier fishing destinations.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the speed demons of our Gulf waters, averaging 15-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50-plus. These silver torpedoes patrol depths from 40-150 feet, usually hanging around structure, temperature breaks, and baitfish schools. Summer months are prime time when they move into our area following the warm water. What gets guests fired up is their blistering runs - when a king hits, it's game on with screaming drags and smoking reels. They're built for pure speed and will test your equipment and skills. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking if you like stronger-flavored fish. Here's the key: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks on your bait. Kings love to hit the tail section of live bait, so that trailing hook will save you from a lot of missed fish. When trolling, vary your speeds to trigger strikes.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are our signature inshore fighters, running 18-30 inches and 3-15 pounds in the shallows. You'll know them by that copper-bronze color and the black spot near their tail. These fish love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What makes redfish special is that powerful tail and the way they use it - long, bulldogging runs that'll wear you out on light tackle. Plus, they're beautiful fish with great-tasting, firm white meat. The real thrill is sight fishing when you can see their backs cruising the shallows. My favorite technique is working topwater plugs early morning over the flats. Keep your eyes peeled for nervous water and tailing fish - when you see that tail sticking up, drop your bait right in front of their nose.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, typically running 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds in these waters. Look for their spotted silver sides and that soft mouth that requires a gentle touch. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring are magic times, but we catch them year-round in different spots. What guests appreciate is how willing they are to bite and how good they are on the table - tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. They're also great for kids and beginners since they're not too finicky. The trick is keeping your drag light because that soft mouth tears easily. Work your lures slow and steady over the grass beds, and don't horse them when you hook up. A gentle hand will put more trout in the cooler than trying to muscle them in.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - gray bodies with black stripes and those famous human-like teeth. Most run 2-5 pounds, but we catch some bruisers up to 15 pounds around the right structure. They're always hugging pilings, docks, jetties, and anything with barnacles they can crunch on. Winter through early spring is peak season when they school up for spawning. What makes them special is they're notorious bait thieves - you need perfect timing to hook them. Guests love the challenge because these fish will test your reflexes and patience. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. My go-to trick is using fiddler crabs on a small circle hook, and keep your bait tight to the structure. Feel that tap-tap-tap? Set the hook immediately or they'll steal your bait and leave you wondering what happened.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, schooling fish that usually run 1-3 pounds and 14-20 inches around here. You'll spot them by their silver sides with yellow spots and that streamlined body built for speed. They love to cruise near the surface in big schools, especially around structure and baitfish. Spring through fall are prime times when water temps hit the 70s. These fish hit hard and make sizzling runs that'll get your drag screaming. What guests really love is how they fight way above their weight class - pure energy on light tackle. The meat is excellent too, with a rich flavor that's perfect for grilling or smoking. Pro tip: when you see diving birds working baitfish, get there fast with a small spoon or jig. Spanish Mackerel will be underneath those birds, and they're not shy about hitting artificials when they're feeding.
Gulf Shores