6-Hour Private Off-Shore Fishing Charter

Six hours on the Gulf gives you time to do more than drop a line and head home. Blue Water Charters moves between reefs and fishing spots near Orange Beach, staying where the fish are biting and shifting when they are not. Captain James Bertrand has been praised for putting people on fish, staying calm when lines cross, and keeping children involved.

I like the private format, since your group of up to four gets the boat and captain to itself. I also like the useful all-in price: rods, tackle, bait, fuel, fishing licenses, drinks, and fish cleaning are included. The main drawback is the early start and the full $1,600 charge, which makes this a much better value for four people than for one or two.

Key details before you book

• Fishing starts at 6 a.m. Meet at Bear Point Marina about 10 minutes before departure.
• The $1,600 rate covers up to four people, making the cost $400 each for a full group.
• Two boats may be used: the 22-foot Mako Miss B Haven or the 24-foot Sailfish Reely Miss B Haven.
• Captain James Bertrand is a strong choice for families, with a patient teaching style and plenty of humor.
• The boat carries rods, reels, tackle, bait, fuel, licenses, drinks, and fish cleaning, so you have less to arrange.
• Your catch depends on season and regulations. Red snapper, for example, had to be released during one April trip because the season was closed.

An early start at Bear Point Marina

Your morning begins at 22830 Brown Lane in Orange Beach, at Bear Point Marina. The stated departure time is 6 a.m., and you should arrive about 10 minutes early. That is enough time to find the boat, meet the U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, and step aboard without turning the launch into a rushed affair.

The early hour matters. A six-hour charter can use much of the morning and early afternoon, giving the captain time to visit several reefs or other productive spots. You are not locked into a short harbor trip. The plan is to fish near the Gulf of Mexico, with the captain deciding where to go based on conditions and the bite.

This is a private activity, so only your party participates. The maximum is four people, a comfortable size for a family or a small group of friends. Four anglers also make the price easier to justify. At $1,600 per boat, a full group pays $400 each before gratuity.

You finish back at the same marina. No separate transport is provided, so plan to make your own way to Bear Point Marina and leave a small cooler with ice in your vehicle if you want to carry fish home.

Choosing between the two Blue Water boats

Blue Water Charters may place you on Miss B Haven, a 2018 22-foot Mako center console, or Reely Miss B Haven, a 2019 24-foot Sailfish. The exact boat is not presented as a choice you can count on, so ask when booking if boat size or the onboard toilet matters to your group.

The 22-foot Mako runs with a Mercury Verado 250 engine. It has padded seating, modern chart and sonar equipment, a Lowrance 4G radar, a Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor with GPS features, Sirius XM Marine Weather, Bluetooth audio, a satellite phone, and a personal locator beacon.

The 24-foot Sailfish runs on twin 150-horsepower Yamahas. It has a Simrad chart and sonar system, a Rhodan trolling motor with GPS features, 36-gallon live bait wells, 16 rod holders, outriggers, Bluetooth audio, a satellite phone, and a personal locator beacon.

The Sailfish is the better fit if an onboard toilet matters. It is the only one of the two boats specifically listed with an enclosed portable toilet. The Mako has padded seating, but the supplied details do not list a toilet on that boat. Ask before departure if anyone in your group has a strong preference.

Both boats carry the required safety equipment. That is worth noting on a private offshore trip, where you are relying on the boat and captain for more than just finding fish. The added electronics also have a practical purpose. Chart and sonar systems help locate structure, while the GPS trolling motors can hold the boat in position without the captain constantly setting an anchor.

What six hours of fishing feels like

The rhythm is simple: ride to a fishing spot, bait your hook, drop the line, and wait for the captain to read the water. If the fish are hitting, you stay. If they are not, the boat moves to another location.

That willingness to change spots is one of the strongest parts of this charter. Captain James has been praised for staying put while fish were active and leaving when the action slowed. On one trip, the group fished from the first reef to the last for the full six hours. That does not guarantee a nonstop catch every time, but it shows the intended approach: the captain is working to make each hour count.

One detailed account described red snapper coming up almost as soon as baited lines reached the structure. The same trip also produced vermilion snapper and triggerfish, fish that could be kept at that time. Chum was used to bring larger fish toward the surface, creating a chance to watch fish gather rather than simply wait for a bite below.

Fishing success is never promised, and regulations can change what you are allowed to keep. During an April trip, red snapper had to be released because the season was closed, while vermilion snapper and triggerfish could be taken. That is an important distinction if your main goal is bringing home a particular species. Ask about current seasons, limits, and allowable catch before you go.

The crew cleans and fillets kept fish. That saves you a messy chore after six hours on the water. You should still bring a small cooler with ice and leave it in your vehicle, since the boat cooler is intended for personal drinks and snacks rather than necessarily serving as your take-home fish container.

Captain James and the human side of the trip

The gear is useful, but the captain can make or break a fishing charter. Captain James Bertrand has received especially strong praise for his patience, humor, and persistence. He has worked with children, explained what to do, and kept trying when lines crossed or fish broke free.

That makes this a good option for mixed groups. A serious angler can enjoy the equipment and changing spots, while a child or first-time fisher can get help without being treated as a burden. One account described Captain James as patient and calm through the small problems that come with active fishing.

Brandon has also been part of the crew on a trip, making sure everyone was fishing and comfortable. Other trips included Tom and Sam, so the exact captain and deckhand may vary. If booking around a particular guide matters to you, confirm it directly rather than assuming Captain James will always be aboard.

The reviews also point to a useful quality in the crew: they keep people engaged. With four people sharing a boat, the captain can offer more direct help than you would usually get on a large shared vessel. That personal attention is one of the main reasons to pay for a private charter.

What is included for the $1,600 price

At first glance, $1,600 is a serious day-trip price. The value becomes clearer when you count what is already covered:

• U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain
• Florida and Alabama fishing licenses
• Rods, reels, and tackle
• Bait
• Fuel
• Bottled water and Gatorade
• Cooler storage for your own food and drinks
• Fish cleaning and filleting
• Bluetooth radio
• Digital photos of the trip
• Required safety equipment

For four people, the cost works out to $400 each. For two people, it is $800 each, so the private boat becomes a much bigger splurge. You are paying for the boat, captain, fuel, equipment, and a six-hour window, not simply for the chance to catch fish.

The included licenses and tackle remove several small costs and planning tasks. You do not need to rent rods or buy bait before arriving. The captain also handles fuel and cleans the fish, which keeps the day focused on fishing rather than chores.

A gratuity is not included, and it is appreciated. Bring your own snacks and drinks if you want more than the supplied water and Gatorade. The large YETI cooler stores them, but you should still pack a small ice-filled cooler for your catch at the end of the day.

Comfort, safety, and what to wear

The boats have padded seating, but this remains a six-hour outing on open water. Wear comfortable, season-appropriate clothing and protect yourself from sun exposure. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are specifically recommended.

Bring snacks that are easy to manage on a boat. Drinks are welcome, and the onboard cooler provides storage. The Bluetooth radio lets you stream your own music, though keep the volume reasonable so you can hear the captain and crew.

All listed vessels carry required safety equipment. The Sailfish includes a satellite phone and personal locator beacon, and the Mako is also described with those communication and location tools. You will receive the benefit of a captain licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard, but you should still follow instructions, watch your footing, and expect some physical effort.

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. Pulling fish from the water can take work, especially when the bite is good. One account described arms getting tired from repeated catches, which is a pleasant problem if you came ready for active fishing, but it is still worth considering for anyone with mobility or strength concerns.

Service animals are allowed. The activity is private, and the boat returns to the same meeting point when the six hours are over.

Who will enjoy this Orange Beach charter most

I would recommend this trip to a small group that wants control over its day. Families can benefit from the captain’s patient instruction, while friends can fish at their own pace without sharing a boat with strangers.

It also suits people who care about the catch. The captain cleans and bags kept fish, and the onboard setup includes live bait wells, rod holders, sonar, and GPS trolling motors. The experience is not just a casual ride with a fishing pole tossed over the side.

First-time anglers can also fit in well. You do not need to supply your own rods, reels, tackle, bait, or fishing licenses. The crew can handle the practical parts while you learn how to bait, cast, drop, and bring in a fish.

I would think twice if you dislike early mornings, long periods on a boat, or the uncertainty of fishing. Even a skilled captain cannot control weather, fish movement, or changing regulations. A closed season can also affect what you take home, as the April red snapper example shows.

Booking timing and weather rules

This charter is often booked about 105 days ahead, so last-minute availability may be limited. If your Orange Beach dates are fixed, booking well in advance makes sense, especially for a full group of four.

The experience requires suitable weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

That policy is fairly workable for a weather-dependent outing, but it makes travel planning important. Keep some flexibility in your schedule if you can. Six hours on the Gulf is a better prospect when conditions are safe and comfortable.

Should you book Blue Water Charters?

Book it if you have up to four people, want a serious six-hour fishing session, and value having the boat to yourself. The best reasons are the direct captain attention, included gear and licenses, onboard fish cleaning, and the effort to move when the fish stop biting.

The $1,600 price is easiest to defend with four people. Families and small groups should especially consider it, since Captain James has shown patience with children and beginners. Ask which boat you will use if an enclosed toilet is important, and check current fishing seasons if a particular species is your main goal.

Skip it if you want a cheap, short activity or if your group is not comfortable with an early start and physical work. For the right party, though, this is a practical Orange Beach charter with enough time to fish several spots and a crew focused on keeping lines in the water.

FAQ

Where does the fishing charter begin?

It begins at Bear Point Marina, 22830 Brown Lane, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561.

What time should I arrive?

The listed start time is 6 a.m. You should arrive at the marina about 10 minutes before departure.

How many people can join the private charter?

The $1,600 price covers a private group of up to four people.

What fishing equipment is provided?

Rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included. Fuel and Florida and Alabama fishing licenses are also provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and Gatorade are provided at no extra charge. You may also bring personal snacks and drinks for storage in the onboard YETI cooler.

Will the crew clean the fish?

Yes. Catch cleaning and filleting are included. Bring a small cooler with ice in your vehicle if you want to take fish home.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.