Charter Fishing Trips

in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Published on: February 23, 2022

Updated at: February 27, 2026

The Alabama Gulf Coast not only has the most beautiful sugar-sand beaches, but the area has one of the best charter-fishing fleets that can take you on a fishing trip you’ll remember forever.

More than 100 fishing charters are available to book on Alabama's Beaches for a trip for various species. When you get ready for your visit to the Alabama Gulf Coast, there are several things to consider before booking a trip. Once you've found the right one, book directly with the charter to get the best deal.

How to Plan a Charter Fishing Trip

Determine Your Fishing Party

Before you book a trip, the first factor to determine is how many people are in your fishing party. The charter fleet has boats of different sizes to accommodate various size parties. For trips for groups with six anglers or less, the “six-pack” boats will be your best choice. For larger parties, Alabama’s charter fleet can accommodate large groups of 25 or more anglers. Each boat has a specific number of passengers allowed as determined by the U.S. Coast Guard.

If you don’t have a fishing party and just want to catch a ride by yourself, you’re in luck. Alabama has several party boats available for solo riders, while other charter boats will put together single anglers to fill out the group.

After the number of anglers is set, the charter boats will provide the specific fishing opportunities available on the dates of your visit based on what's in season.

Angler holding up a gag grouper caught while offshore fishing in Orange Beach

Types of Fishing Charters

The charter fishing options on Alabama's Beaches range from inshore and nearshore trips to offshore and deep-sea fishing excursions. The type of trip you choose should be determined by what species you wish to target and how long you want to be out on the water.

Offshore trips are typically longer because the vessel travels farther into the Gulf. Popular offshore species include red snapper, triggerfish, amberjack, mackerel, and deep-sea species like blue marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo. However, not all of those species are available year-round, as many vary by season.

For those who want to stay within sight of the beach, consider booking an inshore fishing trip to catch species like speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. These shorter trips are ideal for families and kids.

angler holing a large jack crevalled caught in the Gulf while inshore fishing in Orange Beach

Charter Fishing Trip Length

The cost of the charter trip is a significant consideration, and the charter fleet can usually match a trip to your budget. A wide variety of options are available, depending on the trip's length and the targeted species. Trips can be as short as four hours to as long as a two-day journey for those who want to catch the offshore species. The most common trip during red snapper season is eight to 10 hours. However, the option is available for up to 12 hours if you want the captain to head out a little farther and look for some 20-pound-plus red snapper in Alabama’s unparalleled artificial reef zone.

Dates available for charter trips fill up quickly, especially during red snapper season, so don’t hesitate to book your fishing trip as soon as possible.

angler reeling in a fish during a deep-sea fishing charter trip in Orange Beach

What to Bring on a Fishing Charter

Charter boats provide rods and reels for the species targeted as well as the appropriate bait. If you have a favorite rod and reel you want to bring along, make sure the boat captain gives their approval.

On most charter trips, the passengers will need to bring their own drinks and food unless you have made other arrangements with the captain. Most of the larger charter boats have a Big Green Egg grill on the back deck for cooking. Ask the captain about the use of the grill during the trip. And don’t forget sunscreen, hats and sunglasses.

When angling from a charter boat, riders don't need an Alabama Saltwater Fishing License, as the boat's license covers all passengers.

Anglers with sheepshead and redfish caught on a fishing charter in Fort Morgan

Charter Trip Tips

After a wonderful day on the water, you will likely have a box full of fish that need cleaning when you get back to the dock. The deckhands will clean and bag your fish for a per-pound fee. Alabama’s charter captains find the best deckhands around to ensure the best fishing trip possible. Tipping the deckhands is highly encouraged with a preferred gratuity of 20 percent of the cost of the trip.

Alabama has some of the most productive fishing waters in the Gulf and inshore waters, as well as a professional charter fleet, which means Gulf Coast visitors have a chance to experience some of the best fishing in the world!

David Rainer has written about the great outdoors on the Alabama Gulf Coast for more than 20 years. For 14 of those years, he covered the many fishing opportunities on the Gulf Coast as outdoors editor at the Mobile Press-Register. He is past president of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and currently serves on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council's Outreach and Education Advisory Panel and the Alabama Gulf Coast Reef & Restoration Foundation board.