Top-Rated Inshore Fishing in Orange Beach, AL

Published Date: July 16, 2025
Fishing

Alabama, AL
$500 - $650 price range

Summary

Ready for a great morning of fishing in Orange Beach? Captain Charlie Williams knows these waters like the back of his hand. You'll head out on his well-equipped boat to explore the inshore and nearshore spots teeming with fish. No need to worry about gear or bait - it's all provided. And when you land that prized catch, the captain will clean and fillet it for you. This 4-hour trip is perfect for anglers of all levels. With room for two guests, you'll get plenty of personal attention as you cast your line. The calm inshore waters make for comfortable fishing, and you might spot some local wildlife along the way. Southern Sun Inshore Charters focuses on giving you a relaxed, authentic Orange Beach fishing experience. Whether you're after redfish, trout, or whatever's biting that day, you're in for a fun morning on the water.

Top-Rated Inshore Fishing in Orange Beach, AL

Rods, Reels, and Catches

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

Orange Beach Morning Inshore Fishing: 4-Hour Adventure

Get ready for a top-notch inshore fishing experience in Orange Beach, Alabama with Southern Sun Fishing Charters. Captain Charlie Williams knows these waters like the back of his hand and is itching to put you on some of the best inshore action around. Whether you're after hard-fighting redfish or tasty black drum, this 4-hour morning trip is perfect for anglers of all skill levels. With all the gear and know-how provided, you just need to bring your enthusiasm and be ready to reel 'em in!

Trip Overview

Kick off your day right with an early morning departure from Orange Beach. Captain Charlie's boat is comfy and well-equipped, so you can focus on the fishing while he takes care of the rest. This trip is ideal for small groups or couples, with a max of 2 guests. While there's no meal included, you'll be too busy wrestling with fish to worry about food. The best part? When you land that prized catch, the captain will clean and fillet it for you - talk about door-to-dock service!

What to Expect on the Water

Inshore fishing in Orange Beach is all about variety. You might start by tossing live bait near oyster beds for sheepshead, then switch to artificial lures for redfish along the grass flats. Captain Charlie's years of experience mean he knows exactly where the fish are biting. He'll get you set up with the right gear and show you the techniques that work best in these waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, you'll be in good hands. And hey, even if the fish aren't cooperating, the stories and scenery are always worth the trip.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

"We unfortunately didn't catch anything that we could keep but our captain was great and tried everything he could to get us some fish. Better luck next time. Thanks again, Captain Charlie!" - Adrienne

"As always, fishing with Charlie is a fun and memorable experience! You can tell he loves what he does! 10/10. We'll be back!!" - Christopher

"Captain Charlie was a great guide. First spot we went to I landed a 30+ LB black drum on my 2nd cast. Bite was a bit slower after that, but we still had a great time. Charlie kept things entertaining and he had some great stories. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a guide." - Kory

Species You'll Want to Hook

Black Drum: These bruisers are a favorite among Orange Beach anglers. They're known for their powerful fights and can grow to impressive sizes - we're talking 30+ pounds! Black drum love hanging around structure and oyster beds. They're most active in the cooler months, but you can catch them year-round if you know where to look. The best part? They're delicious on the dinner table.

Sheepshead: Don't let their goofy grin fool you - sheepshead are crafty fish that'll test your skills. These striped bandits are masters at stealing bait, but when you hook one, it's game on. They love structure and you'll often find them around pilings and jetties. Sheepshead fishing peaks in the winter and early spring when they gather to spawn. Their firm, white flesh makes for some excellent eating.

King Mackerel: While technically a nearshore species, you might encounter these speedsters on the outer edges of the bay. Kings are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic leaps. They typically show up in Orange Beach waters during the warmer months, chasing bait schools. Trolling with live bait or spoons is the go-to method for these toothy predators.

Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored beauties are an inshore staple. Redfish are famous for their distinctive tail spots and pull like freight trains when hooked. You can target them year-round in Orange Beach, but fall is prime time when big schools of bull reds invade the area. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in shallow water is an unforgettable experience.

Cobia: While not strictly an inshore species, cobia occasionally venture into the bays and are a prized catch. These curious fish are known for their strange habit of following boats and even sharks. Cobia season typically kicks off in spring when they migrate along the coast. They put up an impressive fight and are considered one of the best-eating fish in the Gulf.

Top Catches This Season

Orange Beach's inshore waters are teeming with life year-round, but each season brings its own highlights. In spring, the cobia run gets anglers fired up as these hard-fighting fish migrate through. Summer sees an influx of speedy Spanish mackerel, while fall is prime time for bull redfish. Winter might be chilly, but it's when the sheepshead bite heats up. No matter when you visit, Captain Charlie knows how to put you on the fish that are biting best.

Gear and Techniques

On this trip, you'll be using a mix of light and medium tackle, perfect for inshore species. Captain Charlie provides quality rods and reels spooled with fresh line - no bargain bin gear here. Depending on the target species and conditions, you might be using live bait like shrimp or minnows, or artificials like soft plastics and jigs. Techniques vary from finesse fishing for sheepshead around structure to sight-casting for redfish in the shallows. The captain will show you the ropes and help you dial in your technique for maximum success.

Local Knowledge Pays Off

Fishing Orange Beach's inshore waters isn't just about dropping a line and hoping for the best. It's about understanding tides, reading the water, and knowing where fish are likely to be holding based on conditions. That's where Captain Charlie's experience really shines. He's spent countless hours on these waters and knows all the honey holes. From grass flats to oyster bars, from deep channels to shallow bays, he'll put you right where the action is hottest.

Conservation Minded

While we're all about putting you on fish, Southern Sun Fishing Charters is committed to sustainable fishing practices. Captain Charlie will educate you on size and bag limits, and encourage catch-and-release for larger breeding fish. By taking care of the fishery, we ensure great fishing for years to come. Plus, there's nothing quite like the thrill of watching a big one swim away to fight another day.

Time to Book Your Spot

Ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Orange Beach has to offer? This 4-hour morning trip with Captain Charlie is the perfect way to start your day on the water. Whether you're after a cooler full of tasty fish or just want to enjoy the thrill of the catch, Southern Sun Fishing Charters has got you covered. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Grab your hat, slap on some sunscreen, and get ready for a morning of rod-bending action. Book now and get ready to make some fishing memories that'll last a lifetime!

Customer Reviews

Fishless but Fabulous

We unfortunately didn't catch anything that we could keep but our captain was great and tried everything he could to get us some fish. Better luck next time. Thanks again, Captain Charlie!

Adrienne Stafford

July 1, 2025

Big Catch with Charlie

As always, fishing with Charlie is a fun and memorable experience! You can tell he loves what he does! 10/10. We’ll be back!!

Christopher King

March 26, 2025

Reds Galore with Pro

Captain Charlie was a great guide. First spot we went to I landed a 30+ LB black drum on my 2nd cast. Bite was a bit slower after that, but we still had a great time. Charlie kept things entertaining and he had some great stories. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a guide.

Kory Holst

May 30, 2023

Father Son Fishing Fun

I'm an experienced striper guide from Tennessee and appreciated this trip since I couldn't bring my boat on this 8 hr trip. Charlie worked hard to ensure we had good bait, good gear, and can find the fish. He changed the meeting location the night before because he knew of a more consistent bite. We caught several good fighting reds over the slot on our 4 hr trip then he took us looking for a school of bulls which we did not see. The only complaint I could make was the fish cleaning. He left a good bit of meat on the fish and our fillets had lots of random bones which had to be trimmed. Would book Charlie again in a heartbeat.

Shawn McNew

October 25, 2023

My son and I had a great time! Thanks!

Brad Gieske

March 29, 2024

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Cobia are one of the most exciting fish to target in our waters. These hard-fighting fish can grow up to 6 feet long and 100 pounds, though most we catch are in the 30-50 pound range. They're often mistaken for sharks due to their size and single dorsal fin. Cobia love structure, so we'll look for them around reefs, wrecks, buoys and oil rigs in 30-70 feet of water. Spring is prime time as they migrate through, but we can catch them all summer too. Sight fishing for cobia cruising just under the surface is a real thrill. They put up an impressive fight and taste great too - firm, white meat perfect for grilling. My top tip: Have a big bucktail jig ready to cast quickly if we spot one. These fish don't stick around long, so you've got to be ready to make your shot count.

Cobia

Black drum are the unsung heroes of our inshore waters. These cousins of the redfish can range from 5 pounds to over 50. You'll find them in the same habitats as reds - shallow flats, oyster bars, and around structure in bays and estuaries. Spring is prime time as they gather to spawn, but we catch them year-round. Smaller "puppy drum" under 15 pounds are best eating, with sweet, white meat. The bigger ones put up an epic battle though. Black drum aren't as finicky as some fish - they'll readily take natural baits like crab or shrimp. One cool thing about drum is the croaking sound they make, which you can sometimes hear underwater. Pro tip: When fishing deeper water, use your depth finder to look for big schools of drum near the bottom. They often bunch up tight, so finding that school is key.

King Mackerel

King mackerel are one of the fastest fish in our waters, capable of blistering runs that'll smoke your reel. Most kings we catch are 10-30 pounds, but they can grow over 90. Look for them in open water 40-150 feet deep, often near structure like reefs or wrecks. Spring and fall are the best times as they migrate through. Kings are aggressive predators - we often see them skyrocketing on bait schools at the surface. That savage strike and initial run is what makes them so fun to catch. They're decent eating too, though not as popular as some other species. Trolling with live bait or artificial lures is the most effective method. Here's a local trick: Use two hooks on your leader when live baiting. Kings often strike the back half of the bait, so that trailing hook ups your hookup ratio.

Redfish

Sheepshead are one of our craftiest inshore targets. Most run 2-5 pounds, with some topping 10. You'll find them around any hard structure - docks, bridges, jetties - where they feed on barnacles and crustaceans. Winter and early spring are prime, when they school up to spawn. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, using those weird human-like teeth to nibble baits off hooks. But that challenge is part of the fun. A light touch and quick hookset are key. They put up a solid fight for their size too. Sheepshead make excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's great fried or baked. Local tip: Use a small, sharp hook and thread a fiddler crab or piece of shrimp on, leaving just the point exposed. Feel for that telltale nibble, then set the hook fast and hard.

Sheepshead

Redfish are a blast to catch in our shallow waters. Most run 5-10 pounds, but trophy bulls over 40 inches aren't uncommon. Look for their copper-red backs and distinctive black tail spot in water as shallow as 1-4 feet. We'll target them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and other structure in bays and estuaries. Fall and spring are prime seasons as the water cools. Redfish put up a great fight on light tackle, with powerful runs and head shakes. They're also excellent eating - mild, sweet flavor that's great fried, blackened, or grilled. My favorite way to catch them is sight fishing with topwater lures. There's nothing like seeing a big red explode on a surface plug in skinny water. Pro tip: If you spot a school of reds, cast beyond them and work your lure through the group for best results.

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