About Your Trip

Water Type

Nearshore

Skill Levels

Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Nearshore fishing species targeted often vary based on the time of year, recent successes, wind and current, and the composition of our crew. In winter and early spring we occasionally troll for Bull Redfish but we mostly fish light tackle bottom rigs for Sheepshead, Pompano, Snapper, and Sharks. From late May through early August our most prevalent style of near shore fishing is trolling but we occasionally mix in some flat lines for Spanish and King Mackerel and some light line drop bottom fishing for small Red Snapper. We also shark fish quite a bit in their near shore waters during the warm weather months.

Trolling fishing can be a relaxing way to fish the near shore waters. Trolling fishing begins with laid back low speed cruising near shore waters pulling spoons, dusters, and crank baits behind the boat trying to attract some of the fastest swimming fish species in the gulf. But don't get too relaxed because when a fish strikes the adrenaline starts pumping and the fight is on! We often catch awesome saltwater species such as Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bonita, Bluefish and the occasional shark while trolling in summer.

In addition to trolling and bottom fishing our smaller groups sometimes fish flat lines and cast lures. Both jigs and Gotchas can be very effective in catching Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bluefish and more. Flat lines can typically only be fished with smaller groups and if the wind and current are generally running the same direction but when we can do it the results are often amazing. Flat lining consists of taking a live, dead, or cut bait and floating it on a large circle hook in the waves with little to no lead so it floats near the surface. This allows us to fish the upper part of the water column most effectively. We often catch Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bonita, sharks, and the occasional Cobia fishing flat lines. Many times the largest fish we catch on a charter is caught on a flat line. Fishing live and dead shrimp on carolina rigs on light spinning rods can also be effective for mackerel and can also help us catch Black Snapper, Pompano, Redfish, or Sheepshead.

Summer can also afford us one other type of fishing and that is bottom fishing. Featured only on weekends in June and July, the state of Alabama enacts a brief state Red Snapper season which allow us the chance to catch one of the most beautiful fish in the gulf. Red Snapper is a hard fighting reef fish that is a treat to get to catch. While Red Snapper are known to have great food value we rarely catch fish that meet the legal size requirements due to the water depth we are fishing in. If your primary goal is to keep legal Red Snapper then an offshore fishing charter will offer more consistent results.

Amenities

Water Type

Nearshore

Skill Levels

Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Physicality

This trip requires an intense level of physical activity.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	3 Hours	4 Hours
1 Person	$550.00	$650.00
2 People	$550.00	$650.00
3 People	$625.00	$725.00
4 People	$700.00	$800.00

Pay 20% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

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Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Chris W.

Certified Damn Good Guide

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Outfitter

Laid-back

Instructional

Talkative

Beginner Oriented

Comfortable

Quantity

About Your Guide

Chris W.

Certified Damn Good Guide

Outfitter

Captain Chris is a veteran U. S. Coast Guard licensed Master Captain with more than 25 years professional fishing experience. Born and raised right here along the coast Captain Chris has spent his entire life fishing the waters of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and the surrounding areas. His knowledge of boating and fishing the Alabama gulf coast will place you and your family in the most capable hands on the water. Captain Chris enjoys the challenge of helping experienced anglers find quality fish and the opportunity to help new anglers catch the fever for our sport. He takes pride in providing excellent service and providing his guests a fun and memorable experience. Captain Chris is a proud father and grandfather and it shows through brightly when he fishes with kids. His patience, knowledge, and understanding translates well to the kids he has aboard and their successes are his successes. With a wide range of musical taste, he can play most any music on the boat for customers to enjoy. He strives with every trip to catch something and make the trip enjoyable for everyone. Captain Chris fishes year round and is always up to go see what’s biting so reach out today and book your trip with a true experienced professional Captain. See you one the water!

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

Yellow fin tuna.

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Baked mangrove snapper with bell peppers and onions.

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

Yellow fin tuna.

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Baked mangrove snapper with bell peppers and onions.

What’s your favorite band?

I have an eclectic music taste and don’t really have a favorite.

What’s your favorite movie?

The Guardian

What’s your favorite sports team?

Alabama Crimson Tide

What’s your drink of choice?

Water

What was your last halloween costume?

Cowboy

What do you want for Christmas this year?

A new truck

How did you get started guiding?

I loved fishing and decided to make it my career.

What makes you different from other guides?

Personality and experience.

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Orange Beach, Alabama

Areas Fished

Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Orange Beach Nearshore Fishing

Boat Type: Center Console
Boat Manufacturer: Sea Hunt
Boat Length: 25'
Boat Restroom: Yes

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Center Console
Boat Manufacturer: Sea Hunt
Boat Length: 25'
Boat Restroom: Yes

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Nearshore

Skill Levels

Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Physicality

This trip requires an intense level of physical activity.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing
Cut Bait Fishing
Drift Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Live Bait Fishing

Everything Else to Know

All gear is included, but we also recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, and anything else you might want on the trip.

You're all set! You don't need to buy a license for this trip.

This trip is managed by an outfitter. Chris will be your point of contact and you will go out with one of their guides.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 14 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 14 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

5.0

based on 1 review

Walter

Verified Review

July 7

Chris was an excellent guide. It was all a pleasant experience and we caught fish.

Walter

Verified Review

July 7

Chris was an excellent guide. It was all a pleasant experience and we caught fish.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to thousands of quality, vetted fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.