Choose a short trip with dependable action, bring more snacks and water than you expect to need, and rig rods before leaving the dock. Let young anglers participate in baiting, spotting birds and choosing the next stop.
Success is not only the size of the fish. A calm pace, safe boat habits and a photo of the moment can turn an ordinary outing into a family tradition. Don't focus too heavily on catching a target species or filling a cooler - it's much more important on these trips to keep the action going and not so much on how many you can keep for the dinner plate.
Some of our best times on the Bay or in the Gulf have been targeting what most consider to be trash fish. Some of the most memorable are days where we targeted Jack Crevalle behind summer shrimp boats, catching baby Sharks on inshore reefs of Mobile Bay, and going after large schools of Bonita in the Gulf off Orange Beach. None of those days filled the cooler but they did provide for tons of great memories that will last a lifetime!
If you need any advice on where to find a good day on the water, don't hesitate to stop by and ask! We would love to share our knowledge of the local waters and help you make memories with your friends and family like these.
For an easy Eastern Shore outing, begin with protected water near Fairhope or Weeks Bay and set a short turnaround time before anyone gets tired. On a calm day, watching birds and shrimp activity in Mobile Bay can be as entertaining for children as the fishing itself.
Local captains such as Great Southern Fishing Charters and Murco Charters are also useful resources when a family wants a guided trip. Tell the captain the ages and experience levels in advance so the day can be built around steady action, safe conditions and time for everyone to participate.