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!
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.
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.
By the time spring break comes around, you are ready to take a much-needed vacation. A great way to bring your family together during this time is to plan a trip full of adventure and relaxation, with a little something for everyone.
When you reserve a deep sea fishing charter trip with Class Act Charters, you can rest assured that we handle the planning and make sure your family has a great time. Plus, you have the chance to catch game fish that you might otherwise not have the time or tools to reel in.
A few reasons spring break is the best time to plan a trip with us…
Your Family Already Has Time Off
The days of an electronic-free family dinner table in the evenings are long gone. Most of the time your family spends together is accompanied by small glowing screens while your family half-listens to the details of your day.
Spend some quality time with your family on the water with one of Class Act Charters’ two boats and it brings the opportunity for great bonding with your otherwise distracted family members. Imagine a relaxing afternoon on the water as your take in the sights and try your hand at fishing. Enjoy watching your family learn new fishing techniques and catch something unique to tell their friends about.
Fishing is a Great Way to Soak Up the Sun
During the year, your children and teens sit in school while you sit behind a desk in a boring office under fluorescent lights. Get out on the water and take in the sun and salt air with a deep sea fishing trip.
Our boats are equipped for both beginner and expert fishing. Sit on the deck with your fishing rod enjoying the warmer weather and family time. We’ll take care of the rest!
Spring Break is Perfect Timing for Fishing
There is less fishing in the winter months so it often causes fishing in the spring to be better and more plentiful. Your family will enjoy all the opportunities to catch a variety of fish in our local waters and take in the sights near Orange Beach.
Deep sea fishing always offers an offshore adventure and the different types of fish available during spring break is some of the best of the year. What can you catch? Well, there’s grouper, mahi mahi, snapper, swordfish and sailfish to name a few. Bring your fish aboard for photos or even have it mounted to show to your friends and family. There are a plenty of ways to create memories this time of year and deep sea fishing is an adventure not soon forgotten.
Book your trip today and ask about our Spring Break Specials! 251.391.0935 Our prices during this season are better than any other time of the year!
RELATED:
Make the Most of Your Time by Hiring a Charter
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.
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.
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!
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/.