6-Hour Private Off-Shore Fishing Charter

A good offshore charter should do more than take you out on the water and hand you a fishing rod. This one puts a private boat and U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain at your group’s disposal for six hours, with Captain James Bertrand among the skippers who may guide the trip. The goal is simple: find fish, keep the lines working, and get you home with your catch cleaned and bagged.

I like two practical details right away. Rods, reels, tackle, bait, fuel, and fishing licenses are included, so you do not need to build a saltwater fishing kit before arriving. I also like the boat setup, especially the GPS-controlled trolling motors that can hold the vessel over underwater structure without relying on an anchor.

The main consideration is the early start and the price. Departure is at 6:00 a.m., and the $1,600 charge makes the most sense when four people share it. Fishing success and conditions can change with weather, season, and regulations, so this is not a guaranteed catch of red snapper or any other particular fish.

Key points for your six hours on the Gulf

• Private group of up to four: You fish with your own party rather than sharing the boat with strangers.
• Two well-equipped boats: You may board the 22-foot Mako Miss B Haven or the 24-foot Sailfish Reely Miss B Haven.
• Captain James is a patient, hands-on guide: He works to keep lines fishing and helps with crossed lines, broken rigs, and changing spots.
• Licenses and tackle are handled: Florida and Alabama fishing licenses, bait, rods, reels, tackle, fuel, and cleaning are included.
• Catch handling is part of the service: Legal fish are cleaned and filleted for you to take home.
• Bring sun protection and a vehicle cooler: The boat has storage, but you need a separate iced cooler in your vehicle for the cleaned catch.

Six hours from Bear Point Marina

You meet at Blue Water Charters at Bear Point Marina, 22830 Brown Lane in Orange Beach, about 10 minutes before the 6:00 a.m. departure. That early start is not a minor detail. You need to be ready before sunrise, and the day may feel long if you are not comfortable waking early or spending several hours on open water.

The captain greets you, helps you aboard, and gets the boat ready. This is a private activity, so your group of up to four has the full boat and the captain’s attention. That makes a major difference for beginners, children, or a mixed group in which one person needs more help with casting, baiting, or handling a fish.

The trip ends back at the same marina. There is no separate transportation from hotels or other parts of Orange Beach, so plan your drive to Bear Point Marina and allow enough time to park, gather your gear, and arrive before departure.

Choosing between the 22-foot Mako and 24-foot Sailfish

Blue Water Charters uses two boats, and the exact vessel may depend on availability. Miss B Haven is a 2018 22-foot Mako center console with a Mercury Verado 250 engine. Its equipment includes a Lowrance Carbon 12 chart and sonar system, Lowrance 4G radar, SiriusXM marine weather, a Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor with i-Pilot and Spot-Lock, padded seating, Bluetooth audio, a satellite phone, and a personal locator beacon.

Reely Miss B Haven is a 2019 24-foot Sailfish with twin 150-horsepower Yamahas. It has a Simrad EVO 12 chart and sonar system, a Rhodan trolling motor with i-Pilot and Spot-Lock, Bluetooth audio, a satellite phone, a personal locator beacon, a 36-gallon live bait well, 16 rod holders, outriggers, and an enclosed portable toilet.

The 24-foot Sailfish is the only boat with a toilet, so that may matter to your group. It also has more room and fishing-specific fittings, including live bait storage and outriggers. The 22-foot Mako still has strong electronics, padded seating, and safety equipment, but you should not assume you can request one particular boat unless the operator confirms it.

The electronics are useful in ways you will notice during a fishing trip. Chart and sonar systems help the captain locate and work underwater structure, while radar and marine weather information help with safe operation. The Spot-Lock trolling motors can hold the boat in place over a productive area. That means less time spent setting and resetting an anchor and more time with bait in the water.

Every vessel carries required safety equipment. The boats also have satellite phones and personal locator beacons, which add a useful layer of communication and emergency readiness offshore. These items are not flashy extras. They are the sort of equipment you want aboard when you are several miles from land.

How the fishing usually unfolds

The captain takes you to offshore fishing spots and adjusts the plan as conditions change. One especially practical approach is to stay at a productive reef while fish are active, then move when the action slows. Captain James is described as working through a series of spots, keeping lines in when fish were biting and changing locations when needed.

That style matters more than a rigid promise of a particular species. Fish move, currents change, and a spot that worked earlier may quiet down. A captain who watches the action and moves when needed gives you a better chance than a trip that follows a fixed route regardless of conditions.

Expect hands-on fishing rather than a passive boat ride. Bait may include squid or cigar minnows, and the captain can help keep the group working when lines cross or a rig breaks. That is particularly helpful if this is your first offshore trip. You can focus on feeling the bite and bringing the fish up instead of trying to solve every equipment problem yourself.

The fishing can be active. One account describes fish being caught from the first reef through the final stop, while another reports steady action throughout the trip. Those are good signs, but they should not be treated as a promise for your date. The captain controls the search and the setup, but weather, season, fish movement, and regulations still control the result.

Chumming may also be part of the day. When fish rise toward the surface, you might get a clear view of larger fish gathering near the boat. That can be one of the more exciting moments of the trip, especially for children or first-time saltwater anglers.

What is included, and why it matters

The $1,600 price covers the entire private group, up to four people. At full capacity, that works out to $400 per person for six hours. The value improves if everyone in your party is serious about fishing, since you are paying for a private captain, boat, fuel, gear, bait, licenses, drinks, and fish cleaning rather than adding separate fees for each item.

Included services and equipment cover:

• U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain
• Florida and Alabama fishing licenses
• Rods, reels, and tackle
• Bait and fuel
• Catch cleaning and filleting
• Bottled water and Gatorade
• Cooler space for personal drinks and snacks
• Bluetooth radio for your music
• Complimentary digital photos
• Toilet on the 24-foot Sailfish only

The licenses are especially convenient. You do not need to stop and arrange the fishing paperwork yourself, and both Florida and Alabama licenses are included as part of the charter service.

You may bring drinks and snacks. The boat has a large YETI cooler for storage, but you still need to bring what you want to eat and drink beyond the supplied water and Gatorade. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, and dress for the season. Comfortable clothing matters because six hours on the water can feel much longer in the wrong clothes.

At the end of the trip, the captain cleans and fillets legal fish. Bring a small cooler with ice and leave it in your vehicle if you want to take the catch home. The onboard cooler is for personal food and drinks, so do not count on it as your take-home fish container.

A good fit for families and mixed fishing groups

The private format is one of the strongest reasons to book this charter. If you are bringing children, you can set the pace around your own group. Captain James is described as patient with kids and willing to teach them while keeping the day moving. That kind of attention is hard to get on a crowded shared boat.

The charter also suits adults with very different fishing backgrounds. A highly experienced angler can concentrate on the technical side, while a beginner can get help without feeling rushed. One account came from an angler with decades of fishing experience across North America and Mexico, who rated this outing among his finest and praised the quality of the boat and gear.

The experience requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You will be on a boat for about six hours and handling fishing gear and fish, so it is not a sightseeing cruise with occasional casting. The information provided does not give specific limits for mobility equipment or seating, so contact the operator before booking if you have accessibility concerns. Service animals are allowed.

The private boat also gives you control over the mood. Bluetooth audio is available, and you can stream your own music. Keep the volume sensible so everyone can hear the captain and enjoy the natural sound of the water.

Fish species, seasons, and keeping your catch

The charter is built around catching a variety of Gulf fish rather than guaranteeing one species. Red snapper, vermilion snapper, and triggerfish are among the fish described from past trips. Regulations can change by species, location, and season, so the captain’s instructions are important.

Red snapper deserves special attention. During one April trip, red snapper were caught but had to be released because the season was closed. Vermilion snapper and triggerfish could be kept at that time. Later in the year, red snapper may be open under applicable rules, but you should confirm current regulations with the operator before you arrive.

This is why catch cleaning is useful but not a promise that you will return with a full cooler. The captain can clean legal fish, but you remain subject to current size, bag, and season rules. If bringing fish home matters to you, ask about the rules for your date and bring the separate iced cooler requested by the operator.

The cost compared with a shared outing

At $1,600 per group, this is a substantial activity. It is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Orange Beach, especially if only one or two people are going. For four people, the $400 per-person figure is easier to justify because the price includes the boat, captain, fuel, licenses, bait, equipment, drinks, photos, and fish cleaning.

The private setup can also save you from paying for a longer trip that does not suit your group. Six hours is long enough to reach several spots and give the captain time to adjust the plan, but it is not an all-day offshore charter. If your group wants a serious fishing session without committing to a full day, the duration is sensible.

I would choose this charter when fishing is the main purpose of the outing. If you mainly want a short boat ride, a private six-hour fishing charter may feel expensive and physically demanding. If four people want to fish, the built-in equipment and captain support make the price easier to understand.

Gratuity is not included, and it is appreciated. The captain and crew handle the boat, bait, equipment, fish, and changing conditions throughout the trip, so plan for a tip if the service meets your expectations.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 6:00 a.m. start time.

Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local time, so do not wait until late the night before if your plans are uncertain.

The early departure may help you make good use of the day, but it calls for planning. Have your hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, season-appropriate clothes, snacks, and drinks ready the night before. Keep the small catch cooler with ice in your vehicle, not on the boat.

Should you book Blue Water Charters?

I would book this six-hour private charter if your group of up to four wants fishing to be the centerpiece of the day. The strongest reasons are the private boat, complete fishing setup, included licenses and bait, catch cleaning, and a captain who stays involved when fish are hard to find or equipment needs attention.

It is an especially good match for families and mixed-skill groups. Captain James has a patient teaching style, and the boat electronics, trolling motors, and safety equipment give the trip a professional foundation. The 24-foot Sailfish is the better choice if an onboard toilet, live bait well, and extra fishing fittings matter to you, though the exact boat should be confirmed.

I would hesitate if your group dislikes early mornings, open-water fishing, physical activity, or paying a premium for a private boat. I would also book with realistic expectations about the catch. This charter gives you a serious chance to fish productive Gulf spots, but no responsible captain can guarantee a particular species or a full cooler.

FAQ

Where does the fishing charter meet?

Meet at Blue Water Charters, Bear Point Marina, 22830 Brown Lane, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561.

What time does the trip start?

The charter starts at 6:00 a.m. You should arrive at the marina about 10 minutes before departure.

How long is the fishing trip?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and returns to the original meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private charter accommodates up to four people per group.

Are fishing licenses included?

Yes. Florida and Alabama fishing licenses are included, along with bait, rods, reels, tackle, and fuel.

Which boats may be used?

You may board the 22-foot Mako Miss B Haven or the 24-foot Sailfish Reely Miss B Haven. The Sailfish is the only one of the two with an onboard toilet.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You may bring snacks and drinks, and a large YETI cooler is available for storage. Bottled water and Gatorade are provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.