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.
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.
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.
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!
Perks of Fishing the Off-Season / Grouper on the Grill
At Class Act Charters, we keep the poles bent all year. What are some benefits of booking a fishing trip during the "off season"? Well, the Fall and Winter rates are lower, the temperatures are comfortable and can be preferred compared to the hot summer months.
We’ll be catching Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Shark, Sailfish, Marlin, Wahoo, Grouper, Tuna and others. For those who thought about booking a longer trip for the bigger fish but didn’t want to deal with the melting summer heat, Fall and Winter is the perfect time to make plans to catch that bucket list fish. Some of the fish are game fish, where catch and release is required this time of year, but measuring before you release is part of the game. Others, you are able to fill the cooler and take home to cook.
One of the best fish to catch and eat is grouper. Here in South Alabama, you’ll find it cooked many different ways but below is a recipe you may or may not have tried – Southern Style Grilled Grouper. If you add a little spice blend and throw it on a hot grill and cook it to perfection, this might be your new favorite way to cook it!
Southern Style Grilled Grouper
Ingredients
1 lb. Grouper fillets
Spice Rub
1/4 teaspoon minced onions
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/8 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
Preparation
1. Mix all the spice rub ingredients together and remove the grouper from the refrigerator. Cover all surfaces of the fish with a light to medium covering of the spice rub and gently rub into the grouper. Let this rest in a container outside of the refrigerator to allow it to reach room temperature before putting it on the grill.
2. Get your grill going and achieve a medium hot grill. Place the grouper fillets in a grill basket or on a grill screen with smaller holes to keep the fillet from falling apart and crumbling through the grill as it gets closer to done. Cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side. You only need to flip it once on the grill.
3. Note: If you're unsure of whether it's fully cooked or not, you can test it with a digital meat thermometer at the center of the thickest part of the fillet. The temperature should read approximately 135° F.
Here are on the Gulf Coast, we have some wonderful offshore tuna fishing. Most of the successful tuna trips are 18-36 hours long or longer. Here at Class Act Charters, we specialize in these trips!
What kind of tuna will you catch in this area?
Yellowfin Tuna (“Ahi” in Hawaiin) are a beautiful and tasty fish found throughout the world in warm waters. They are probably the most commonly caught offshore game fish. They often group together in enormous schools and can be seen breaking the surface chasing after bait. They often follow dolphins around and can be caught under schools of them.
Tuna eat a large number of different things including baitfish like sardines and mackerel, squid, and even small pelagic crabs. They can become difficult to catch when they are keyed in on tiny baits. If you see tuna feeding on the surface and can’t get them to bite, that could be the reason!
Yellowfin Tuna swim great distances during their lifetimes. They attain sizes in excess of 400lbs, although fish this size are only found in the Eastern Pacific and are generally caught in Mexico. Many nice fish in excess of 200lbs are also caught in Panama. The tuna are smaller here on the Gulf Coast, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a thrill to catch!
Like all tuna, Yellowfin Tuna pull hard for their size. They almost never jump when hooked, although they have been seen coming out of the water to grab bait or lure. When you get them near the boat they turn sideways and swim in large circles making it a long process to get them in the boat. It’s virtually impossible to horse the larger ones in quickly no matter what tackle you are using. They are a great gamefish and are great to eat! Yellowfin Tuna are very common in sushi restaurants and they are also very good seared. You can even eat them fresh right on the boat with some soy sauce and wasabi!
Yellowfish Tuna are just ONE example of what can be caught in the deep waters of the Gulf! Booking a Class Act Charters to take you means you have an experienced crew and the tools you need to reel in the best fish. Book your trip today!
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/