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Full Day King Mackerel Cobia Underdog Charters
What you will be catching:
King Mackerel
Red Snapper
Redfish
Sheepshead
Spanish Mackerel
- Join Captain Joey for a full-day red snapper adventure departing from Dauphin Island at 8 AM. This eight-hour trip runs June through September, targeting keeper species like red snapper, king mackerel, cobia, and triggerfish in Alabama state waters. Perfect for groups up to four anglers of any skill level
- all rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and fishing licenses are provided. You'll focus on legal-to-keep fish while following all seasonal regulations. Just bring your snacks, water, sunglasses, and non-spray sunblock for a productive day on the water with an experienced local captain who knows these Gulf waters.
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Dauphin Island Full Day Red Snapper & King Mackerel
Captain Joey runs one of the most popular full-day charters off Dauphin Island, and for good reason. This eight-hour adventure puts you right in the heart of Alabama's best inshore and nearshore fishing grounds, where red snapper, king mackerel, and cobia rule the waters from June through September. With everything included – rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and even your fishing license – you just show up ready to fish. The boat holds up to four anglers, so whether you're bringing the family or a small group of buddies, everyone gets plenty of elbow room and personal attention from one of the Gulf Coast's top-rated captains.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day kicks off at 8:00 AM sharp from Dauphin Island, putting you on prime fishing spots while the morning bite is still hot. Captain Joey knows these waters like the back of his hand – he's been running charters here for years and has dialed in the seasonal patterns that make or break a fishing trip. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility. Some days the red snapper are crushing baits on the nearshore reefs, other days the kings are running thick just outside the pass. Joey reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly, always chasing the best action. You'll work a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish want, and don't worry if you've never held a rod before – this trip welcomes all skill levels. The captain and crew will get you hooked up and fighting fish in no time.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
The gear setup varies throughout the day based on what you're targeting. For red snapper, you'll be dropping heavy jigs and live bait down to structure in 60-80 feet of water. The captain provides stout rods with enough backbone to muscle these bulldogs up from the bottom before they can wrap you around the reef. When the kings are running, it's all about trolling with planers and downriggers to get your baits to the right depth. Captain Joey runs top-quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with fresh line, plus a tackle box full of proven lures and rigs. The live bait setup is crucial here – fresh pogies, cigar minnows, and blue runners make all the difference when the fish get finicky. Everything's rigged and ready to go, so you spend more time with your line in the water and less time messing with knots and weights.
Top Catches This Season
Red snapper are the crown jewel of this fishery, and Dauphin Island sits right in the sweet spot for both numbers and size. These fish love the hard bottom and artificial reefs scattered throughout the area, and when they're feeding, it's game on. Expect chunky 3-8 pound snappers with the occasional bruiser pushing double digits. King mackerel show up in waves during the summer months, with the best action typically happening from July through August. These speedsters range from schoolie-sized 8-10 pounders up to smoker kings in the 20-30 pound class that'll test your drag and your arms. Cobia are the wild card – they cruise the area looking for rays and structure, and when you spot one, it's pure excitement trying to get a bait in front of them. Spanish mackerel fill in the action throughout the day, especially when you're moving between spots. They're fantastic on light tackle and make excellent table fare when iced down properly.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Red snapper are what most folks come here for, and it's easy to see why. These fish are aggressive biters with serious attitude – they'll grab a bait and head straight for the rocks, testing both your tackle and technique. The best fishing happens during their summer season when they're actively feeding over structure in state waters. What makes them special is the combination of fight and flavor – they pull hard on the way up and taste even better on the dinner table. The trick is getting them away from cover quickly, which is why Captain Joey uses heavy tackle and teaches proper fighting technique.
King mackerel bring a completely different kind of excitement to the trip. These fish are built for speed, with razor-sharp teeth and a habit of making screaming runs that can peel 100 yards of line off your reel in seconds. The Dauphin Island area sees excellent king fishing from late spring through early fall, with fish ranging from fun-sized schoolies to trophy-class smokers. They're structure-oriented fish that love to patrol the edges of reefs and wrecks, making them perfect targets for this type of charter. When you hook a big king, be ready for multiple runs and some serious arm burn.
Cobia are the ultimate sight-fishing target, and Captain Joey has a knack for spotting these bronze bullets cruising the shallows. These fish can grow massive – 30, 40, even 50 pounds – and they're curious enough to come investigate the boat if you play your cards right. The key is staying quiet and getting a live bait or jig in front of them before they spook. When a cobia eats, it's pure chaos – they're strong, stubborn fish that will test every knot and connection on your tackle.
Spanish mackerel might be the smaller cousins in the mackerel family, but they make up for size with pure aggression and acrobatic fights. These fish school up in massive numbers during the summer months, creating non-stop action when you find them. They're perfect for kids or anyone who wants to stay busy between the bigger bites. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf when prepared fresh.
Time to Book Your Spot
This world-class fishing experience books up fast, especially during peak season when the red snapper and king mackerel fishing is at its best. Captain Joey's reputation for putting clients on fish
Learn more about the species
King Mackerel
King mackerel are the speed demons of the Gulf, and they'll give you a fight you won't forget. These silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds, with bigger fish pushing 40+ pounds during peak season. You'll find them in 40-150 feet of water around drop-offs, structure, and wherever baitfish are thick. Summer months bring the best action when they're actively hunting near the surface. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll strip line off your reel faster than almost any other fish out here. The meat is rich and great for grilling or smoking. Key technique: troll with live bait on a wire leader, using a stinger hook setup. Put one hook through the bait's nose and let a treble hook swing free near the tail. Kings like to hit the back half of live bait, so that stinger hook will save you from a lot of missed fish.
Red Snapper
Red snapper are the prize fish everyone wants to catch around here. These deep red beauties typically run 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some monsters push 20+ pounds. They hang out in 30-200 feet of water around hard bottom, rocks, and structure. Summer months are prime time when they're actively feeding and the weather cooperates. What makes them special? They fight hard all the way to the boat, and the meat is sweet and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. One tip that works well: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit, then set it firm. Their bony mouths can be tricky, but once you hook up solid, you're in for a good battle that'll test your tackle and technique.
Redfish
Redfish are shallow water fighters with those distinctive black spots near their tails that make them easy to identify. Around here, most run 18-28 inches and 3-8 pounds, with the bigger fish often found in slightly deeper water. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow structure in 2-6 feet of water where you can sometimes see their backs. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What guests enjoy most is the visual aspect - you can often see them cruising and watch them take your bait. They're strong fighters that use their broad sides to pull hard, and they make excellent table fare with firm, mild meat. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast past the fish and work your bait back to them slowly. Dropping a lure right on their head usually spooks them off the flat.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the ultimate structure fish with their distinctive black stripes and famous human-like teeth. Most run 2-5 pounds and 12-18 inches, though we catch some nice 8+ pounders around the better spots. They live tight to pilings, docks, jetties, and any barnacle-covered structure in 10-30 feet. Best fishing happens in cooler months when they're thick around the structures. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with a light bite that'll test your patience. The reward is some of the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet white meat. My advice: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait right on the bottom near structure, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard and fast. They'll steal your bait all day if you're not quick enough.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish mackerel are fast, fun fighters that show up in good numbers during our summer season. Most fish we catch run 12-20 inches and weigh 2-4 pounds, but they make up for size with pure speed and energy. You'll find them near the surface around structure, grass beds, and baitfish schools in 15-40 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What guests love about them is the consistent action - when you find one, there's usually more around. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. Here's a key tip: use a wire leader or they'll cut your line with those sharp teeth. Also, work your lures fast - these fish like to chase, so don't be afraid to burn that spoon or jig through the water column.
About the Underdog
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 300
