Dauphin Island Inshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAll equipment, tackle, bait, and fishing licenses includedPrivate charter accommodates up to four anglers of all skill levels
When you're looking for a solid day of inshore fishing without the crowds, Captain Joey's six-hour trips out of Dauphin Island deliver exactly what serious anglers want. Mobile Bay's backwater systems hold some of Alabama's most consistent populations of speckled trout, redfish, and flounder, and this charter puts you right in the middle of the action. Starting at first light around 6:00 AM, you'll have the prime feeding hours locked down before most weekend warriors even hit the water. The boat handles up to four anglers comfortably, making it perfect for couples or small groups who want personalized attention rather than getting lost in a cattle-boat operation.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip where you sit around hoping something bites. Captain Joey knows Mobile Bay's grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish using techniques that actually work in these waters. The boat comes rigged with quality rods and reels, plus a tackle box full of proven lures and live bait to match whatever the fish are hitting that day. Don't be surprised if you start the morning throwing topwater plugs over shallow grass beds, then switch to bouncing jigs along structure as the sun climbs higher. The captain adapts to conditions and fish behavior, which is exactly why his clients keep coming back season after season. You'll cover serious water during those six hours, hitting multiple spots to maximize your chances of filling the cooler.
Mobile Bay's inshore waters demand a mix of techniques depending on tides, weather, and where the bait is holding. Captain Joey typically starts with live shrimp under popping corks around grass edges and oyster bars, especially when targeting speckled trout in the early morning bite. As conditions change, you might switch to soft plastics on jig heads for working deeper pockets or dragging the flats for flounder. Redfish often require a different approach entirely - sight fishing with gold spoons or working cut bait along marsh edges where they cruise for crabs and mullet. The boat carries spinning gear in various weights, from light tackle for trout to stouter rods when big reds show up. Live bait stays fresh in the boat's wells, though catching your own bait can be part of the morning routine if the captain spots good shrimp or mullet activity.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of Mobile Bay fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties run from keeper-sized 14-inchers up to legitimate gator trout pushing 25 inches and 5 pounds. They school up over grass flats and around structure, feeding heavily during dawn and dusk hours. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though summer fishing can be phenomenal if you hit the right tide and temperature combination. What makes specks so addictive is their fight - they'll jump, shake their heads, and make screaming runs that test your drag system. Plus, they're excellent table fare when handled properly and iced down quickly.
Redfish have become the crown jewel of Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and Mobile Bay holds some true monsters. These copper-colored bruisers typically range from slot-sized fish around 20 inches up to bull reds exceeding 30 inches and 15 pounds. Unlike trout, reds are structure-oriented fish that cruise oyster bars, marsh edges, and shallow flats looking for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. They're notorious for their bulldogging fights - once hooked, a good red will peel line and test every knot in your system. The best part about redfish is their year-round availability, though fall months often produce the largest numbers as they stage up for their offshore spawning runs.
Southern flounder might not win any beauty contests, but they're some of the smartest fish in the bay and absolutely fantastic on the dinner table. These flatfish ambush prey from sandy bottoms and grass edges, often burying themselves until an unwary shrimp or mullet passes overhead. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique - you'll typically drag live or artificial baits slowly along the bottom, waiting for that distinctive tap-tap bite. Most keepers run 15 to 20 inches, though doormat flounder over 5 pounds occasionally show up to make your day. Fall months produce the best flounder action as they fatten up and move toward deeper water for winter.
Captain Joey's Dauphin Island charters book up quickly, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is hot and word gets around the local fishing community. The combination of his knowledge, quality equipment, and productive fishing grounds makes this a top-rated option for both visiting anglers and locals who want to fish with a proven guide. Your fishing license is covered, and the captain provides everything you need tackle-wise, so you just need to bring drinks, snacks, and non-spray sunblock for a comfortable day on the water. Remember to call 251-583-4885 before booking online to confirm your preferred date - weather and tides can affect availability, and Captain Joey will work with you to pick the best possible conditions for your trip. Whether you're introducing kids to saltwater fishing or looking to put some quality fish in the freezer, this six-hour adventure delivers the kind of consistent action that keeps serious anglers coming back.
Get ready to fish Mobile Bay in style aboard our 2023 24' Pathfinder center console. This bay boat cuts through the water at 45 knots powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha, getting you to the prime redfish and speckled trout spots around Dauphin Island fast. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working the shallows for flounder, while our GPS and fish finder help locate where the action is. Even when morning fog rolls in, the onboard radar keeps us moving safely to productive waters. Built for Alabama's inshore fishing, this boat handles Mobile Bay's conditions perfectly - whether we're drifting grass beds or anchored up on structure. Captain Joey knows these waters inside and out, and this Pathfinder gives us the speed and stealth to make the most of your six-hour charter targeting the bay's best gamefish.
Sciaenops OcellatusThese copper-colored bruisers are what put Mobile Bay on the fishing map. Most reds we catch run 18-30 inches, though the big bulls can push 40+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Look for them tailing in grass flats, around oyster bars, and near structure like old pilings. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up heavy. What makes redfish special is that explosive strike in shallow water - nothing quite like watching a red blow up on topwater. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller slot fish make excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. My go-to trick: work the tide changes around oyster bars with a gold spoon. The flash drives them crazy.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout around Mobile Bay typically run 14-24 inches and fight surprisingly hard for their size. You'll find them cruising grass flats in 2-8 feet of water, especially around oyster bars and drop-offs. They feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, making them pretty reliable targets year-round, though spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch. The meat is white, flaky, and mild. Pro tip: when working grass flats, keep your bait just above the vegetation. Specks suspend to feed, so a shrimp under a popping cork about 18 inches deep usually does the trick.
Paralichthys LethostigmaFlounder are the masters of camouflage in Mobile Bay, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch plenty up to 5 pounds. They're found in 3-15 feet of water around creek mouths, channels, and anywhere the bottom transitions from hard to soft. Cool weather months are best - they get more active when water temps drop below 75 degrees. Guests love flounder because they're different from everything else we catch, and they're absolutely delicious with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with flounder is patience - they inhale bait slowly, so count to three before setting the hook. Live finger mullet on a carolina rig works best, and always check both sides of channel edges.
Dauphin Island, AL