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Alabama Fishing Charters

Alabama fishing charters offer up everything from skinny water redfish in the Mobile Bay marshes to snapper runs off Gulf reefs and crappie slabs upstate.

TrustedFish connects anglers with proven local captains in Alabama —no commissions, no pay-to-play listings, no BS. Every charter on our platform is invite-only, vetted for skill, local knowledge, and reputation. If they’re listed, they’ve earned it.

Top Rated Charters in Alabama

$350.00 - $800.00
Red Eye Charters
Now Closed

Red Eye Charters

Gulf Shores, AL
$350.00 - $650.00
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
Now Closed

Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service

Scottsboro, AL
$400.00 - $500.00
Freebird Charter Fishing
Now Open

Freebird Charter Fishing

Gulf Shores, AL
$550.00 - $1,350.00
Blue Water Charters, LLC
Now Open

Blue Water Charters, LLC

Orange Beach, AL
$550.00 - $3,600.00
Cool Change Charters
Now Closed

Cool Change Charters

Orange Beach, AL
$1,000.00 - $3,000.00
Getaway Charters
Now Closed

Getaway Charters

Orange Beach, AL

Alabama Fishing Guide

Alabama’s a small state with a wide range of fishing—salt, fresh, shallow, deep. Down south, the Gulf Coast draws most of the attention. Orange Beach and Dauphin Island are launch points for offshore trips chasing red snapper, amberjack, and tuna when they’re in. Boats run 10 to 40 miles depending on what you’re after and how hard the seas are rolling. Nearshore reefs start just a few miles out and hold good numbers of triggerfish and mingos. Most charters use cut squid, pogies, or live pinfish on two-drop rigs, circle hooks, 6–10 oz weights.

Mobile Bay and its estuaries offer the best inshore mix—reds, specks, flounder. Guides drift or pole flats, fish creek mouths, or bounce jigs around docks. Shrimp under a popping cork works fine, but many captains go artificial in clear water—paddle tails or topwaters depending on the time of day. Upstate, Alabama’s loaded with lakes. Guntersville, Eufaula, and Lay Lake are all known bass factories. Stripers and catfish show up in big numbers on the Tennessee River chain too. Most freshwater trips are half-day with early morning launches, light tackle, and a focus on seasonal structure—ledges, brush piles, or weed lines.

Whether you’re trolling for kings in the Gulf or working brush for spring crappie, Alabama gives you enough variety to fish year-round and never run the same game twice.

Regional Fishing Highlights

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

This stretch is ground zero for offshore fishing in Alabama. Boats run out to artificial reefs, oil rigs, and shelf edges. Red snapper’s the big draw during season, but there’s solid action year-round with amberjack, king mackerel, and cobia. Nearshore trips target Spanish mackerel and bonito trolling just outside Perdido Pass. Inshore charters stick to Oyster Bay and the ICW, where you’ll find redfish, trout, and the occasional tripletail around markers and crab trap buoys.

Mobile Bay & Delta

Tidal marshes, river mouths, and old piers make this area prime for inshore action. The upper delta’s full of creeks holding redfish and flounder, while the mid-bay reefs hold trout through summer and fall. Live shrimp on Carolina rigs do well here. Guides adjust with the tides and water clarity—when it’s muddy, they’ll tight-line deeper. Nighttime dock light trips in summer are a hidden gem for specks.

North Alabama Lakes

Guntersville leads the way with consistent largemouth action—frog bite over grass mats is legendary by late spring. Wheeler, Wilson, and Pickwick are known for smallmouth and catfish too. Crappie fishing is strong on Weiss and Neely Henry, especially in the prespawn and fall months. Most lake guides use side-scan to locate schools and work tight-lining rigs or jigs over structure.

Dauphin Island

A bit more laid back than Gulf Shores, but the fishing’s just as solid. Charter boats run offshore for red snapper, triggerfish, and pelagics depending on season. Inshore, captains work Pelican Bay and Mississippi Sound for redfish and trout. Shrimp under cork, or soft plastics if you’re working cuts and drains. Wading the flats here on foot or kayak also works well, especially in fall.

Fishing Seasons in Alabama

Spring

Inshore heats up first—reds and specks push into the bay systems chasing bait. Freshwater bass move to beds, and the frog bite starts. Snapper season may open late spring depending on regulations. Crappie stack up in shallow brush and river bends.

Summer

Offshore dominates—snapper, amberjack, kings, and dolphin when the blue water’s close. Inshore slows mid-day but morning and night trout bites stay solid. North Alabama sees topwater bass at first light and deep brush action mid-day.

Fall

Cooling temps mean aggressive fish. Bull reds run through the passes and surf. Speckled trout move onto hard bottom and shallow grass. Bass go shallow again, chasing shad. Crappie school up tight and are easy to find on electronics.

Winter

Inshore slows but never dies—reds hang around creeks and deep holes. Trout stack in deeper channels. Offshore trips target mingos and triggers on calm days. Lake fishing leans catfish and deep crappie over structure.

Most Popular Gamefish in Alabama

  • Red Snapper – 5 to 20 lbs. Caught offshore during season (usually summer). Two-drop bottom rigs with squid or cut bait over reefs and wrecks.
  • Redfish – 18 to 40 inches. Found year-round inshore—bayous, oyster reefs, and around docks. Best on shrimp, crab, or paddle tail jigs.
  • Speckled Trout – 12 to 24 inches. Most active spring through fall. Drifting or casting live shrimp under corks or soft plastics near grass and current.
  • Largemouth Bass – 2 to 8 lbs. Lake fishing, especially spring spawn. Frogs, jigs, and crankbaits near grass, docks, and offshore humps.
  • Crappie – 10 to 16 inches. Tight-lined minnows or jigs over brush piles, creek mouths, and ledges on lakes like Weiss and Neely Henry.
  • King Mackerel – 10 to 30 lbs. Trolled nearshore to mid-range on spoons or live bait rigs, especially summer through fall.
  • Flathead Catfish – 10 to 50 lbs. Fished with live bait in slow-moving rivers and tailraces. Nighttime bite is best.

Alabama Fishing FAQs

If you’re over 16, you’ll need a state fishing license—saltwater, freshwater, or both depending where you go. Most charter trips include it.

Typically opens in June for federally permitted boats, weekends only. Dates shift yearly based on quota, so check with your captain.
Snapper, kings, and Spanish offshore; speckled trout and reds inshore, especially early morning or around lights at night.
Yes—Guntersville, Eufaula, and the Tennessee River chain all have strong bass and crappie bites. Great for half-day guided trips.
Most inshore and nearshore trips are family-friendly. Let the captain know ahead of time—some have life jackets for kids, others expect you to bring your own.
Live shrimp or cut mullet is reliable. On clear days, soft plastics like a paddle tail or jerk bait work well near grass or docks.
Nope—guides provide rods, reels, bait, and tackle. Just bring food, drinks, sun protection, and whatever you want to keep fish cold.
Weiss Lake is a top spot, especially late winter through early spring. Look for brush piles or drift mid-depth flats with minnows.
Depends on the trip—nearshore boats may stay within 5 miles. Full-day offshore trips run 20 to 50 miles, depending on weather and target species.