Related Posts

• Red Snapper Season is Over...Now What?

  

  Red Snapper are the most common fish we catch off of the coast of Alabama. They are only in season from June to early July. The good news? When you hire a charter fishing company like Class Act Charters to take you on a fishing adventure at Orange Beach, you can sit back and let us handle the strategy while you enjoy a day on the water!

   

  Although snapper is common, there are so many different species of fish you can target and catch off the coast here in Alabama.

   

  Gag Grouper

   

  Gag Grouper is found mostly in the Gulf of Mexico. They were very abundant but have been overfished to the point that they are now tough to catch. Gag Grouper are found around shallow water reefs; but, most are in deep water near rocks and ledges. Gags are fun to catch. The Gag Grouper are usually 5 to 10 pounds average in weight; but, if you get lucky, a 30 to 40 pounder is out there. Gulf Gag Grouper are a white meat and the texture is semi soft. Some say it tastes better than Red Snapper, and should be undercooked a bit. Try grilling, baking or frying it!

   

  Amberjack

   

  Amberjack is also known as the Greater Amberjack and is caught on mostly large structures of reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. They offer a great fight for even the toughest angler! The average size of an Amberjack is about 15 to 18 pounds. There are a lot of 20 to 25 pounders. These fish can grow up to close to 100 pounds. Amberjack is a good fish to eat and has a firm texture to its meat. It is good cooked on the grill! There is a bag limit of one Amberjack per person, per day in the Gulf of Mexico. They have to be 30 inches at the fork length to keep them. An Amberjack over 20 pounds is usually legal and can be kept.

   

  Wahoo

   

  Wahoo is one of the most prized migratory fish you can catch in Alabama. The Wahoo are considered one of the fastest fish in the ocean, next to the sail fish. Wahoo are usually caught in blue water or water that is over 150 feet deep or deeper. They weigh on average 20 pounds each. They fight like crazy when hooked! Most are caught while trolling lures behind the boat. Wahoo is best tasting when grilled or blackened.

   

  Spanish Mackerel

   

  Spanish mackerel are found off the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. and in the Gulf of Mexico. The Spanish mackerel is much smaller than its relative, the king mackerel. Spanish mackerel have a greenish back with silver sides and belly. Yellow or olive green oval spots traverse the body, which is covered with very tiny scales. Spanish mackerel prefer temperatures above 68 degrees and mostly live in open water but are sometimes found over deep sea grass beds and reefs.

   

  King Mackerel

   

  King Mackerel are a migratory fish that usually stay in waters whose temperature is above 70 degrees. They are plentiful during the summer months. They can be caught right off the Alabama coast line on short trips and are commonly caught further offshore near reefs and structures. They can be caught on a drift line while bottom fishing and on lures while trolling. King Mackerel are good for smoking and the food quality is okay. It is an oily fish and is best if you don’t freeze it. King Mackerel taste better when grilled or blackened.

   

  Yellowfin Tuna

   

  Yellowfin tuna is one of the best fish to target on longer, overnight fishing trips that depart from Orange Beach. The Yellowfin are usually caught more than 60 miles offshore around large oil rigs or in deep blue water. They have been known to move more than 200 miles in a single day. They offer anglers the chance to fight a tough fish. They are caught trolling and chunking during the day and night. The best fishing is usually just before daybreak! Yellowfin Tuna is one of the best fish you can ever eat. However, they do not freeze well. The meat is a dark pink in the loin section and is used for sushi all over the world. The best way to cook Yellowfin is to grill or sear it.

   

  Dorado, Mahi-Mahi and Dolphin Fish

   

  No matter what you call them, the Dolphin fish is one of the best fighting game fish in the Gulf of Mexico. They can be caught during the summer months in Alabama along rip lines or floating debris. Large dolphins can weigh up to 80 pounds. The average Dolphin fish weighs about 2 to 10 pounds each. They offer even the best anglers a lot of action and almost always jump up in the air, shaking their heads trying to get away. Closer to shore, you may find the small ones that are called chicken dolphins. They are a blast to catch, right on the surface around the boat. The Gulf Dolphin are some of the best fish to eat. They have a firm texture which is excellent grilled or blackened.

   

  Give us a call to schedule your next deep sea fishing trip! It will be an experience you’ll never forget.

   

   

• Spring Fishing

  

  Sparkling-white sandy beaches and the beautiful blue-green waters of our Orange Beach area attract millions of visitors each year. From parasailing or kayaking to simply laying in the hot sun, there are many fun activities available for people of all ages to enjoy.

  Did you know that the Gulf Coast also offers some of the best spring fishing in the entire world? As the waters along our area begin to warm up, many types of fish migrate back into the area, allowing people to catch an ice-chest full of fish onshore and offshore. Cobia, Speckled Trout, Gray Trigger Fish, Pompano and Amberjack are just a few of the fish you can catch during the upcoming season.

  Cobias migrate through the area in late March and April. You often catch them by sight fishing, where you trick them into eating your bait, a fun method to ask your deck mate about! Cobias are white fish that have a clean and buttery flavor. The fish has high oil content, helping it not dry out no matter how you prepare it.

  Speckled trout have a slight flakey and very meaty texture. They are most commonly caught in the shallow bays and tend to move into deeper bay waters as temperatures decline during the fall. These delicious fish are frequently caught with shrimp.

  Gray Triggerfish are great to fish for during the spring as the season opens on March 1st and closes by the end of May, making it a true spring fish. Gray Triggerfish primarily feast on bottom dwellers like shrimp, crabs, sea urchins, and sand dollars. The flavor is clean and uniquely sweet when cooked with a taste and texture similar to that of a crab.

  Pompano appear in May and stay through October. They frequent the surf zone where the waves break in “suds” on the beach. They feed on sand fleas (Mole Crabs) that live in the area. Some call it “the world’s most edible fish” due to its flat-bodied, pan-sized shape that makes it easy to eat whole. The fish meat is pearly white, with a moderate fat content. It has a sweet, mild flavor that is firm, but finely flaked.

  Best to hook during April and May, Amberjack are thick and meaty and are a favorite cooked blackened. They are known as “sea donkeys” because they are some of the toughest fighters in the Gulf. They enjoy swimming around ground structures like oil and gas platforms.

  By the time May rolls around, taking a deep sea fishing trip can lead to a good number of the fish mentioned above. But, that’s not all you can catch during the spring and early summer!

  Make the most of spring fishing by booking a trip with Class Act Charters! Our knowledgeable captain and crew will help you navigate the gulf and find where the fish are biting. Regardless of your group size, ages, or budget, we can accommodate your needs to provide you with the fishing experience of a lifetime!

  Don’t forget a recipe for the Cobia that you’re bound to catch! Try out one of our favorites:

  Cobia with Lemon Caper Sauce

  INGREDIENTS

  1/3-cup all-purpose flour

  1/4-teaspoon salt

  1/4-teaspoon pepper

  1 1/4-lb. cobia, cut into 4 pieces

  2 tablespoons olive oil

  1/3-cup dry white wine

  1/2-cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

  2 tablespoons lemon juice

  1-tablespoon capers, rinsed, drained

  1-tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

  STEPS

  1. In shallow dish, stir flour, salt and pepper. Coat fish pieces in flour mixture

  (reserve remaining flour mixture). In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over

  medium-high heat. Place coated fish in oil. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway

  through cooking, until fish flakes easily with fork; remove from heat. Lift fish

  from skillet to serving platter with slotted spatula (do not discard drippings);

  keep warm.

  2. Heat skillet (with drippings) over medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon reserved

  flour mixture; cook and stir 30 seconds. Stir in wine: cook about 30 seconds or

  until thickened and slightly reduced. Stir in chicken broth and lemon juice; cook

  and stir 1 to 2 minutes until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Stir in capers.

  3. Serve sauce over fish; sprinkle with parsley.

• Make the Most of Your Time by Hiring a Charter

  

  There are some major advantages to using a charter service for your fishing needs, especially when away from home. Chartered boats were always viewed as expensive, but that really isn’t the case in many instances. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages, to better understand if these services are for you!

  One of the biggest reasons that many people fish is to – catch fish. When vacationing in a place that one might not be familiar with, the angler is relying on word-of-mouth locations and hotspots, or even worse, internet recommendations for information. Many of the spots will not be available without access to some type of boat, whether it is a rental or the angler owns and transports a vessel. The use of a chartered service eliminates many of these issues, as there is nothing to bring or rent, and furthermore, as a passenger, you are not required to do anything except fish. The convenience of showing up on the dock and jumping in the boat, rather than the alternative is a nice way to enhance the fishing experience and focus on the fishing.

  One of the other advantages to the use of a local charter service is the knowledge of the area. It is virtually guaranteed that you will catch fish, especially when using a local captain that has been fishing the area for years. Accessing local spots that you would have missed can drastically increase your catch. The use of a larger, chartered boat can allow access to offshore locations that may have been inaccessible from a small craft. The knowledge of local hot spots can be the difference between everyone on board catching fish and having a great time, or not catching fish.

  The charter experience can also provide some benefits that the angler might not think about, such as intimate knowledge of local laws and regulations regarding conservation. You are also gaining a better understanding of the local habitat, taught to you by someone with a vested interest in making sure that all the laws of the land and ideas regarding conservation are followed. The captain will have stories and great conversation along with all of the gear and knowledge of where to fish that will make your experience on the boat enjoyable. This is a great opportunity to learn from a seasoned expert! Everything from technique to bait choice to equipment usage is up for discussion when you charter, and this can make for some great learning experiences for every level of angler.

  The captain will have insight into what fish are in season and what can be caught at the time, allowing you as the customer to choose your target and go after fish that you want, targeting their habitat and what bait they take. This eliminates much of the guess work in fishing and allows you to go after the specific sport fish you are interested in catching.

  Vacationing in Orange Beach this time of year also offers the fact that it is the off-season and our rates here at Class Act Charters are lower and the weather is cooler. Give us a call today to book your excursion while you’re spending time here on the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast! Book your trip with us - http://www.classactfishing.net/.

• 6 Reasons That Fall Is A Great Time to Fish the Gulf Of Mexico

  

  Football and hunting seasons reign supreme during the fall, causing many anglers to spend less time on the water. But fall is actually one of the best times for deep sea fishing! From cooler weather to fewer boats on the water, there are some great reasons that you shouldn’t hang up your line come September - or ever! The Gulf of Mexico has some of the best deep sea fishing in the ocean year-round, and the latter months provide their own unique fishing experience. And, Class Act Charters can make your fall fishing trip experience a memorable and cherished one.

  Here are 6 reasons that fall is a great time to fish the Gulf of Mexico with Class Act Charters.

  1. The Weather is Fine

  Fall brings with it the end of the summer - and that means cooler weather. It’s a pleasant change to spend several hours on the open sea without fighting the blistering heat of the summer sun. Plus, less sweaty hands means a tighter grip on your fishing pole.

  2. Less Intense Sunshine

  Speaking of the summer sun, it can be intense. But during the fall the sun shines lower in the sky, making its impact a bit less intrusive. This can also cut down on glare in the water, making it easier to see and follow fish.

  3. The Gulf Is Yours

  The water traffic during the fall and winter is considerably less than in other months. That means that the Gulf is yours for the taking! Enjoy prime spots and less competition when you fish the Gulf of Mexico during the fall.

  4. Plenty of Fish

  During the fall you can still catch plenty of fish in the Gulf of Mexico! Amberjack, grouper, wahoos, and king mackerel are common catches during the fall and early winter. Each of these puts up a good fight and tastes delicious on your plate fried or grilled. Amberjack takes a little more effort to season to perfection.

  5. A Bigger Catch

  Speaking of great catches, fall is the best time to catch the biggest fish of the year. That’s because large predators begin to gorge on baitfish that are moving inland into warmer waters. By searching for foraging birds on the water, we’re able to find large schools of fish and that’s when the hunters become the hunted.

  6. You Can Still Catch The Game

  We know that football is a fall staple. We love it, too! That’s why The Class Act - our large namesake vessel - has satellite TV with local channels so you never have to miss a play. Plus, there’s a grill on board so that you can cook your famous football BBQ while you fish! It’s the best of both worlds!

  Spring and summer are the most popular times for deep sea fishing - but that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily the best! There’s lots of fun to be had out on the water year-round, and especially during the latter months. Let Class Act Charters man the wheel as you spend a cool autumn day fishing the wide-open Gulf of Mexico. Book your trip today before the season is over!

• What to Expect for Spring Break Fishing in Orange Beach, Alabama in 2017

  

  It’s this time every year that Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama come alive with Spring Breakers and their families. What a joy it is to see so many families outside enjoying the sunshine and their time spent together! With the technology as it is nowadays, even at the dinner table you find everyone staring at their screens – missing out on those quality discussions we all grew up with. That’s one reason why we’re in the business we’re in – we love seeing families spend quality time together making memories that last a lifetime.

  A Spring Break charter fishing experience gives you and your family quality bonding time and an adventure of a lifetime!

  
  One of the main attractions down here on the coast this time of year is charter fishing. The 4, 5, and 6 hour trips are very affordable and accommodating for families from children to grandma. This time of year the water is still a bit cold, but this makes many fish cluster up in the warmer areas which makes for a great fishing trip. On these excursions, we typically fish 10-15 miles off the shore, making several fishing stops along the way. Our experienced captains know these waters well, and we have a good sense of where the fish are biting. We typically will stop the boat over a reef or wreck so everyone can drop their fishing lines.
  
  Many of our customers let us know that they only want to catch enough for dinner, and these ½ day excursions are ideal for just that. Whether it’s the 4 hour trolling trip or a bottom fishing and deep sea experience, we will cater the trip to meet your needs.
  
  In March and April, one of the more exciting things that happen in our Gulf waters is the Cobia migration. The Cobia fish, also known as Ling or Lemon, start to relocate along the coast from the warm waters in the south. They love to ride the waves as they soak in the sun.
  
  On longer trips we will fish out by the oil rigs and beyond, around 20-35 miles off the coast, where we can get the bigger fish. If you’re in for a thrill, fishing for Yellowfin Tuna and Amberjack can be very exciting. The tunas are resilient against the cold water as their body temperature doesn’t slow down so they’re off swimming in high gear. The Amberjacks are known as the “donkeys of the sea” because of how strong they can be when trying to reel in, really putting the “sport” in “sport fishing”. The giant Red Snappers will not be in season until June 1st so they are all catch and release for now, but still a heck of a good time.
  
  As the temperatures warm up, so do the fish. Other fish we see often include King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Vermilion Snapper, White Snapper, Red Fish, Sheepshead, Flounder and Speckled Trout.
  
  For those of you looking to book a trip after April 1st, the season opens up for bag limits on the very tasty Scamp and Red Groupers.
  
  If high intensity fishing is not what you’re after, rest assured we customize each trip based on your needs, desires and expectations. Our deck mates and captains are there with you and your group every step of the way, showing you the ropes, helping reel in the fish, all the while educating youngsters and first-timers about the fish, fishing, and our Gulf waters.
  
  As an added bonus, during this Spring Break season we are offering discounted trips on the 4, 5, and 6 hour trips. For additional information or to book with us, give us a call at 251-391-0935 or fill out the form on our website. Hope to see you out on the water!

• Cast a Line for Spring Break 2019

  

  Spring Break 2019 is just around the corner. Soon, the Alabama Gulf Coast will be
  swarming with families eager to experience warm southern skies while dipping their toes
  into the Gulf of Mexico’s temperate waters. With your family or friends in tow, what’s
  one of the best ways to experience it? That’s right, Deep Sea Fishing! Here in Orange
  Beach, we know a thing or two about how to experience the Alabama Gulf Coast the
  right way.

  
  Deep Sea Fishing is a fun activity enjoyed by people of all ages. Unlike other activities
  such as kayaking, paddle boarding, or parasailing, which some ages may not be able or
  desire to participate in, Deep Sea Fishing has something for everyone. Whether you are
  want to soak up the sun, cast a line, or simply want to sit in a
  chair, drink a beer, and enjoy wathcing your family or friends fish, a charter trip is the perfect way
  to relax and unplug from the world ashore.

  
  The spring season is an exceptional time to deep sea fish because as the water
  temperatures warm up, so do the fish. Due to the small amount of fishing done in the
  winter months, fish are also often more plentiful in the spring. During the spring, you can
  catch a myriad of fish, such as:

  
  Cobias, which migrate through the area in late March and April, are some of the
  most fun. You often catch them by sight fishing, where you coax them into eating
  your bait. Be sure to ask a deck mate about this method!

  
  Speckled trout bite best in the spring and fall and are frequently caught with
  shrimp.
  
  Other fish we often catch include King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Vermilion Snapper,
  White Snapper, Red Fish, Sheepshead, Flounder, Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and
  Amberjacks.

  
  As a family owned and operated business, Class Act Charters ensures fun for all ages.
  We love seeing families and friends come together for quality time, making memories
  that last a lifetime. With our experienced captains and deck mates, we provide you with a
  completely customized day, offering half and full days filled with adventures on the sea.
  If you’re looking to catch enough fish to fill the freezer at home, feed you while on your
  vacation, or simply catch and release, we have you covered.

  
  Make plans to join us this Spring Break on a deep sea fishing trip of a lifetime. Call us to book your customized trip today: (251) 391-0935.