Renowned Orange Beach 5-Hour Inshore Fishing Trip

Published Date: July 22, 2025
Fishing

Alabama, AL
$500 - $650 price range

Summary

Get ready for a laid-back morning of inshore fishing in Orange Beach, Alabama with Southern Sun Charters. We'll head out for 5 hours, exploring the rich coastal waters where redfish, trout, and cobia call home. As we cruise along, keep an eye out for the chance to reel in some red snapper or king mackerel too. Don't sweat the gear - we've got you covered with fishing licenses and all the equipment you'll need. It's just you, a buddy, and your experienced guide on the boat, so there's plenty of room to cast and relax. Whether you're new to fishing or looking to sharpen your skills, our local knowledge ensures you're in the right spots at the right times. As the morning unfolds, you'll get a real feel for the beauty of Orange Beach from the water. It's a perfect way to start your day – with the sun on your face, salt in the air, and the excitement of not knowing what you might catch next.

Renowned Orange Beach 5-Hour Inshore Fishing Trip

Reels and Feels

King Mackerel, 30 inch fish caught while fishing in AL

Inshore King mackerel perfect catch

3 big fish caught during fishing trip at Orange Beach

Couples inshore fishing success

2 fishing rods in the water with 4 people in an AL location

Family inshore fishing fun!

An angler with a big 21-inch catch in Alabama

Beginner friendly inshore fishing charter

Reel in the Action: Orange Beach Inshore Fishing

Get ready to wet a line in some of the most productive inshore waters along the Gulf Coast. Southern Sun Fishing Charters is your ticket to a 5-hour morning of non-stop angling action right here in Orange Beach, Alabama. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, Captain Charlie and his crew will put you on the fish and show you the ropes of inshore fishing done right.

What's Biting Today?

As soon as we push off from the dock, you'll feel the excitement building. Our local waters are teeming with prized game fish, and we know just where to find them. We'll be targeting a mixed bag of inshore favorites, including hard-fighting redfish, tasty speckled trout, and the always-popular cobia. When conditions are right, we might even venture a bit further out for a shot at some red snapper or king mackerel. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – you never know what might be on the end of your line next!

Tactics for Tidal Success

Inshore fishing is all about reading the water and knowing where the fish are hiding. We'll use a mix of live bait and artificial lures, depending on what's working best that day. You might find yourself casting around oyster beds for redfish, working a popping cork for trout, or sight-fishing for cobia cruising near the surface. Don't worry if you're new to these techniques – Captain Charlie is a pro at teaching anglers of all skill levels. We provide all the gear you need, from rods and reels to bait and tackle, so you can focus on the fun part: catching fish!

Raves from Recent Anglers

"I've fished with capt Charlie about a handful of times and I will say that fishing with him is the highlight of fall break. It was a tough trip and the conditions weren't right, but captain Charlie and gill made the trip. He makes you feel like family when you are on the boat with him. I highly recommend captain Charlie to anyone looking to fish down here." - Mike

"Captain Charlie was awesome! My family had an amazing time fishing and we will be back to fish with Southern Sun again. Hopefully soon" - Sam

"Charlie was an excellent guide! Overall best experience I have had with a charter!! Will definitely book again!!" - Paul

Top Targets on Your Trip

Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are the crown jewels of inshore fishing. Known for their hard-pulling fights and distinctive spot near the tail, redfish can be found year-round in our waters. They love to hang around structure like docks and oyster bars, and when you hook one, be ready for a battle! Fall is prime time for big bull reds, but we catch them all year long.

Speckled Trout: Don't let their name fool you – these spotted beauties are actually members of the drum family. Trout are known for their delicate bite and tasty fillets. We often find them around grass flats and drop-offs, especially during the cooler months. They're a blast to catch on light tackle and make for some mighty fine eating.

Cobia: Also known as ling or lemonfish, cobia are the prize catch of spring and early summer. These curious fish often swim right up to the boat, giving us a chance for some exciting sight-fishing action. They grow big – 30 to 50 pounds isn't uncommon – and they fight like crazy. Cobia are seasonal visitors, typically showing up in our waters from April through July.

King Mackerel: When we venture a bit further out, we might tangle with these speedsters. Kings are known for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. They typically show up in our nearshore waters from late spring through fall, following schools of baitfish. Trolling with live bait is our go-to method for hooking into these toothy predators.

Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousins of the redfish, black drum can grow to monster sizes. They're bottom-feeders with a soft spot for crustaceans, so we'll often target them with crab or shrimp around pilings and bridge structures. While the bigger ones can be tough eating, smaller "puppy drum" are excellent on the dinner table.

Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and sheep-like teeth, these fish are unmistakable. They're notorious bait-stealers, making them a fun challenge for anglers of all levels. We find them around hard structures like pilings and reefs, especially during the cooler months. Their light, flaky meat is considered a delicacy by many local anglers.

Time to Get Your Fish On

There's nothing quite like a morning on the water, watching the sun rise over the Gulf as you reel in your next big catch. Our 5-hour trip is the perfect blend of action-packed fishing and laid-back coastal vibes. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler or just enjoy some quality time on the water, Southern Sun Fishing Charters has you covered. With all licenses and gear included, plus Captain Charlie's local know-how, you're in for a top-notch fishing experience. Don't let the big ones get away – book your Orange Beach inshore adventure today and get ready to create some reel memories!

Customer Reviews

Family on the Waves

I’ve fished with capt Charlie about a handful of times and I will say that fishing with him is the highlight of fall break. It was a tough trip and the conditions weren’t right, but captain Charlie and gill made the trip. He makes you feel like family when you are on the boat with him. I highly recommend captain Charlie to anyone looking to fish down here.

Mike Elam

October 9, 2024

Hooked on Charlie

I booked a fishing charter for my father’s birthday. Captain Charlie was awesome, very nice and hospitable. We had an excellent time and would highly recommend it.

Justin Franks

October 11, 2024

Fish Finders Delight

Had a great time with Captain Charlie and Gil. They continued to always put us on fish. Both Charlie and Gil were attentive and always helped when needed. I would highly recommend a trip with Southern Sun Inshore Charters.

Arin McCarty

May 16, 2025

Awesome Family Catch

Captain Charlie was awesome! My family had an amazing time fishing and we will be back to fish with Southern Sun again. Hopefully soon

Sam James

June 21, 2025

Delayed Redfish Run

Was pretty upset that we left the dock 45 minutes later. The. Had to go grab a net for shrimp. That took bout an hour of our fishin time. Was told that off shore was doin better then in shore a wasn’t given an option to do the. An only caught 2 red fish the hole time.

Debra Kidder

June 11, 2025

Guide to Remember

Charlie was an excellent guide! Overall best experience I have had with a charter!! Will definitely book again!!

Paul Thorman

September 18, 2024

Personable Pro

Great guide and even better person!!

Brad Gross

September 20, 2024

Great captain, great time! Charlie is honed in on fishing for bull reds. He put us on some big fish that we will never forget. Highly recommend booking a charter with him!

Eric Rader

November 6, 2022

Fun Fish Adventure

we'd always like to catch more fish but we had a great day and Captain Charlie is personable and made it fun. We'll be back!

dan McEwan

October 4, 2023

Fishing Know How

Captain Charlie is top notch!! He is very knowledgeable and easy to get along with he will put you on the fish.

Mike Elam

November 20, 2023

Awesome Willie Time

We had an awesome time. Thnx again. Willie Mc

William McGlothlin

August 8, 2024

Nonstop Fish Action

Very knowledgeable captain, kept us on the fish all day!

Brad Gross

September 21, 2024

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black Drum are hefty fighters, usually weighing 5-30 pounds but can top 90. You'll find them in brackish waters and estuaries, often around oyster beds or sandy bottoms. These guys love structure – look for them near pier pilings, inlets, and creeks. Spring's your best bet, as they school up for spawning. Anglers dig Black Drum for their strong pull and tasty meat, though I'd recommend keeping the smaller ones under 15 pounds for better eating. They're bottom feeders, so live bait like crabs or clams works great. Here's a local tip: use a heavy enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom, and be patient – these fish are notorious bait stealers. When you feel that telltale nibble, set the hook hard. It's a fun catch that'll give you a good workout on the line.

Cobia

Cobia are one of our most prized catches here in Orange Beach. These bruisers can hit 100 pounds, though 30-50 is more common. Look for them around buoys, wrecks, and other structure in 30-70 feet of water. Spring's the hot time as they migrate through, often spotted just below the surface. Anglers love cobia for their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps – they'll test your gear and your arms. They're also excellent eating. To catch one, sight fishing is key. Keep your eyes peeled and have a heavy jig or live eel ready to cast. Here's a local trick: if you spot a cobia, cast well ahead of it and let the bait sink. These curious fish will often investigate if you don't spook them. Be ready though – when they hit, it's like hooking a freight train!

King Mackerel

King Mackerel, or Kingfish, are speedsters that'll give you a real thrill on the line. These guys typically weigh around 30 pounds but can hit 90. You'll find them in waters 40 to 150 feet deep, with bigger ones sometimes lurking in harbors and inlets. Summer's prime time when water temps hit 68 to 84°F. Anglers love Kings for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. To catch 'em, try trolling with large spoons or live bait like Blue Runner or Menhaden. Here's a tip: use a two-hook rig with a stinger hook when fishing live bait. Kings are known to attack the back half of the bait, so this setup increases your hook-up ratio. Watch out though – they've got some serious teeth. These fish make for good eating too, just be mindful of mercury levels in larger specimens.

Redfish

Redfish, or Red Drum, are a staple here in Orange Beach. You'll find these copper-colored beauties in shallow waters, often just 1 to 4 feet deep. They love hanging around oyster reefs, grass flats, and muddy bottoms. Most run 28 to 33 inches, but they can get much bigger. Fall's the prime time to target them, but they're around year-round. Anglers love Reds for their hard-pulling fight and that distinctive tail spot. They're also great eating fish. To catch 'em, try topwater lures in the shallows for some explosive action, or use live shrimp on a jighead. Here's a local tip: look for "tailing" Reds in super shallow water, where their backs are exposed as they root for crabs. Approach quietly and make a gentle cast just ahead of them. It's sight fishing at its finest and a real rush when you hook up.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead, or convict fish, are a real treat to catch here in Orange Beach. These striped beauties usually run 1-8 pounds and love hanging around structure – docks, bridges, and barnacle-covered pilings are prime spots. Spring's the hot time to target them, especially February through April when they're spawning. Folks get a kick out of their human-like teeth and strong bite. They're tricky to hook, known for nibbling bait off hooks, so here's my go-to trick: use a small, sharp hook and set it fast when you feel the slightest tap. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs are your best bets for bait. Get as close to the structure as you can without spooking them. These fish put up a good fight and make for some excellent eating with their sweet, white meat. Just be ready to work for your dinner – they're not called the sheepshead for nothing!

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