It's not too early to start planning what you'll do for Spring Break 2023! It'll be here before you know it, and the sooner you book, the more options are available. Whether you're a parent taking your kids to Gulf Shores, Alabama, for a fun spring vacation— or a college student hoping to enjoy some well-earned down-time on the Alabama beaches for Spring Break 2023— consider kicking your trip up a notch with a thrilling deep sea fishing adventure. Class Act Charters welcomes you to come fishing with us on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico!
The Alabama Gulf Coast has a lot to offer to Spring Breakers. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL, have pristine white-sand beaches, a friendly, small town vibe, amazing fresh seafood, and a wide range of activities suitable for visitors of all ages. And while much of the country is still shivering in March and April, we typically enjoy warm, short-sleeve weather in spring! Spring Break 2023 is the perfect time to beat the summer rush and take advantage of everything our beach community has to offer.
While you're in the area, don't miss out on the opportunity to take an exciting charter fishing trip!
Who doesn't love the beach? Between the sunny skies, sea breeze, waves, sandcastles, and seashells, who could ask for anything more? But after a day or two in the sand and surf, you may be ready for some variety in your spring break vacation.
Did you know that Gulf Shores has world-class fishing? It's true; the Alabama Gulf Coast can offer you an amazing charter fishing experience, just a short boat-ride from the beach. If you want to do something truly memorable with your family or friends during Spring Break 2023, there's nothing like a deep sea fishing charter to put a little extra excitement into your vacation!
Spring is a great time to go fishing on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The Gulf is beginning to warm up by late March and April. Warmer water means more active fish— and there are more fish out there, too, since fewer people have been fishing during the cool winter months. There are plenty of types of interesting fish to try and catch in the Gulf during the Spring Break season— including speckled trout, pompano, cobias, gray triggerfish, amberjack, and more!
Whether you want a relaxing trip with your young kids or a heart-pounding sport-fishing adventure with your friends or older children, we can help you find the right trip for your group, from a 4- or 6-hour "half-day" fishing excursion up to fishing trips that last a full day or more.
We are happy to host fishing parties that include children of all ages. Fishing is an activity that anyone of any age can enjoy, and our friendly captains and crew love introducing children to the fun and excitement of deep sea fishing. If you're considering taking your kids on their first fishing excursion during Spring Break 2023, check out our tips for deep sea fishing with kids.
If you're ready to book your charter right away, give us a call or book online. For more information about the fishing trips available at Class Act Charters, read about the types of fishing trips we host. If you have any questions, we're happy to answer them. We also offer customized trips, if you have something particular in mind for your up-coming visit to Gulf Shores, AL.
Once the summer is winding down, you may think it's too late to book a charter fishing boat for your autumn or winter trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Fortunately, that's not so! Class Act Charters offers Gulf Shores fishing charters for fall and winter deep sea fishing. Our winters are mild, and we enjoy going out fishing all year long, season after season. If you're planning to visit South Alabama in autumn or winter instead of summer, you can still have a great time deep sea fishing. Class Act Charters hosts off-season charter fishing for families, business trips, and anyone else who doesn't want to wait until summer for some exciting deep sea fishing.
Summer is our busy season in Gulf Shores, primarily because that's when most people tend to vacation on Alabama's Gulf Coast. There's no denying our summer fishing is amazing-- red snapper season, anyone?-- but that doesn't mean you can't also have a fantastic fishing experience in September, October, November, December, through to spring. The people who live here, including the captains and crew at Class Act Charters, know that there's not a bad season for fishing on the Gulf of Mexico, as long as the weather permits.
There's plenty of fun to be had and fish to be caught in the Gulf Coast's cooler so-called "off-season". It's a unique experience and a breath of fresh air to tide you over until spring. Hooking a fish on a bright winter's day in Gulf Shores is especially sweet when you consider that if you were home, you'd probably be stuck indoors, avoiding the freezing weather!
Interested in doing a little fishing on the Alabama Gulf Coast this autumn or winter? Class Act Charters would love to welcome you aboard for some exciting off-season angling! Boo now or give us a call to discuss how we can accommodate you.
The 2022 Alabama red snapper season is coming up soon! If you're hoping to hook some delicious red snapper, Class Act Charters would be delighted to host you or your group on one of our safe and comfortable charter fishing boats. It's always a good idea to book early during this high-demand fishing season, so don't delay!
This year, the Alabama red snapper season will open on Wednesday, June 1st. and run will continuously everyday through August 18
Class Act Charters' 6-hour or 8-hour fishing trips give you the perfect opportunity to catch some red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, this year. We also offer longer fishing trips, if you're feeling more ambitious.
So, what do you do when you've caught your daily limit of snapper? Don't worry; there are plenty more fish in the sea, and we can help you find them!
The warm waters of the Alabama Gulf Coast are full of fun and exciting species to catch-- fish like Spanish mackerel, mullet, cobia, amberjack, and pompano, for example. Have something specific in mind? Let us know in advance what you're hoping to catch, and we'll do our best to hook you up! Whatever's biting when you take your charter fishing trip, our captains and crew will give you a great day of salt air and fishing fun.
If you're ready to schedule your next deep sea fishing trip right away, give us a call or book online.
Looking for some fun for the whole family for Spring Break 2022? Class Act Charters invites you aboard our two charter fishing boats for an amazing deep sea fishing trip in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL!
You probably already know that the Alabama Gulf Coast is a great place for a family vacation. With our beautiful white-sand beaches, a family-friendly atmosphere, delicious local seafood, and tons of activities to choose from, you just can't go wrong with a family trip to Orange Beach or Gulf Shores. While you're down here, don't miss out on the thrilling experience of a charter fishing trip!
After a challenging last couple of years, we're all ready to get out and have some fun. Make the most of Spring Break 2022 by taking a deep sea charter fishing trip into the Gulf of Mexico! It's the perfect opportunity to make unforgettable memories with your family-- and everyone's welcome aboard our boats, including kids of all ages.
During the winter, there's less fishing, so spring fishing is often more plentiful than other times of year. The water's warming up, and the fish are active! This time of year, there are all sorts of exciting fish to catch in our Gulf waters, such as cobias, speckled trout, gray triggerfish, pompano, and amberjack, to name just a few. You're sure to have an excellent day of fishing with our friendly, experienced captains and crew!
Interested in booking a trip? To book right away, give us a call or book online, or if you want more information, check out the types of fishing trips we host. We're happy to answer any questions you have, and we offer customized trips, if you have something specific in mind.
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!
Did you know that according to the American Heart Association it is recommended to eat fish at least twice a week and red snapper is an excellent healthy choice! With Red Snapper season just ending, it is time to cook up the Red Snapper you caught for these yummy recipes! Our first recipe recommendation is baked red snapper with garlic and herbs. Time & Serving size— • Total: 25 mins • Prep: 10 mins • Cook: 15 mins • Yield: 2 Servings—easily double or triple for a family meal Ingredients— • 2 (6 to 8-ounce) red snapper fillets • 4 tablespoons butter • 1 medium clove garlic (pressed or minced) • 3 to 4 drops Worcestershire sauce • 1/2 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning (or your own favorite seasoning blend, with salt) • 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper • 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh parsley (minced) • Optional: 1 teaspoon chives (snipped, fresh or frozen) • 3 to 4 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs (or seasoned bread crumbs) • Optional: 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (freshly grated) Instructions— 1. Gather ingredients 2. Preheat the oven to 400° F 3. Spray baking dish with butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray and then place inside the snapper fillets 4. Place melt butter with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Creole seasoning blend, pepper, parsley, and chives in a skillet for 2 minutes over low heat; in order, to blend flavors. 5. Brush both sides of fish fillets with the butter and herb mixture. 6. Toss the breadcrumbs with the remaining butter mixture and we recommend Parmesan cheese as well for additional flavor! 7. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the fillets. 8. Bake in the oven for about 12-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets. If done the fish will be nontransparent and flake easily with a fork. Craving tropical fruit? This next dish is a healthy mouthwatering meal that includes baking orange juice in red snapper, easily feeding a family of four. Ingredients— • 2 pounds of red snapper fillets • 1/4 cup Florida’s Natural® Orange Juice • 1 teaspoon orange zest • 2 tablespoons melted butter • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil • Salt and pepper to taste Instructions— 1. Place red snapper fillets in a single layer in a well-greased baking pan. 2. Combine orange juice and remaining ingredients and pour over fish. 3. Bake in 350° F oven for 30-40 minutes, or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. 4. Decorate a serving plate with orange slices and sprinkle chopped basil over snapper. Serve with rice. Our last red snapper recipe includes using an oven or grill. So, feel free to crank up the grill this summer to enjoy red snapper fillets with coriander butter. Time & Serving size— • 20 mins. • 4 servings Ingredients— • 4 boneless red snapper fillets with skin, about 6 ounces each (see note) • Salt and freshly ground pepper to preference • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 2 tablespoons butter • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots or scallions • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1 tablespoon soy sauce • 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander Instructions— 1. Place the red snapper fillets on a platter, sprinkle with salt and pepper and brush each side with olive oil. 2. Heat oven broiler or grill to high. 3. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the shallots, lemon juice, soy sauce, and coriander. Bring to a simmer, transfer to a small blender or food processor and blend to a fine texture. Keep warm. 4. If the snapper is to be broiled in an oven, place the fillets skin side down on the broiler pan and place it about 4 inches from the heat. Leaving the door ajar, cook 3 to 4 minutes without turning the fish. Do not overcook. If the fish fillets are to be cooked on a hot grill, place them skin side up and cook about 2 1/2 minutes. Turn and cook skin side down for about 2 minutes more. Do not overcook. Pour the coriander butter over the fillets and serve immediately.
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.
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.
When it comes to cooking fish, many people find themselves stuck on one go-to fish that works with the preparation method they’ve mastered. Mix it up. Just because a recipe says salmon, that shouldn’t always be your choice. Be flexible enough that you base your recipe on something new from time-to-time.
This recipe is great for flounder, but can be changed for your favorite (or most readily available) type of fish!
Parmesan Crusted Flounder Meunière (serves 6)
Ingredients
Preparation
Fry the capers in 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium high heat until crispy. (They are like buds, so they’re done when they’re open.) Drain well. Cook the asparagus in salted boiling water for 3 minutes and shock in iced water. Season the filets lightly with salt and pepper. Spray filets liberally with vegetable spray and dredge liberally in grated Parmesan. Preheat 2 large cast iron skillets. Add a tablespoon each of oil and butter. Place the flounder, cheese side down, in the skillets. Cook on medium heat for 3 minutes and – very important – don’t turn until a golden brown crust forms. Use a spatula to lift edge to check if brown. Turn and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes. Transfer to 2 pie tins or baking sheet and put it in a 250-degree oven. Drain the oil from the skillet and place it back on the fire on medium-to-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir until butter browns and foams. (Don’t let it burn.) Add the parsley and crabmeat and remove from heat. Heat asparagus and divide it onto four plates. Place the flounder on top of the asparagus spears, sprinkle with the fried capers, and spoon the brown butter over the fish.
Lemon Butter Amberjack Recipe
https://eatsimplefood.com/lemon-butter-amberjack-fish/
Grilled Triggerfish w/ Red Wine Butter Sauce
http://thelocalpalate.com/recipes/grilled-triggerfish-with-red-wine-butter-sauce/