Red Snapper Fishing with the Fairwater Fleet
Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, Alabama—a boat for every group, big or small
Red snapper is the catch that defines a Gulf Coast fishing trip—hard-fighting, beautiful, and some of the best eating in the water. What sets Fairwater Charters apart from a single-boat operation is simple: we run a fleet. With multiple vessels—Fairwater II, Southwind, TradeWinds, and Bollweevil—we can match the right boat to your group, run several boats for a large party that wants to fish together, and keep more snapper-season dates open when other charters are already booked solid.
Whether you're a couple, a family, a big group of friends, or a corporate outing that needs three boats on the water at once, we have a vessel—and an experienced local captain—ready to put you on the fish.
Book Your Snapper Trip | Call Us: 251-979-2682
When is red snapper season in Alabama?
Alabama's red snapper season is set each year by federal and state regulators based on the health of the Gulf population, so the exact dates and limits shift from year to year. As a general rule, the private and charter season opens in late spring or early summer and runs through a regulated summer window. It coincides with most Alabama Gulf Coast visitors' summer vacations and is the busiest, best-booked stretch of our whole year.
Current Season (2026) — Alabama's 2026 red snapper season for charter anglers opens June 1 and runs through October 26.
Bag Limit — There's daily limit of 2 red snapper per person during the current season. Each fish you keep must be at least 16 inches long.
Because dates change every year and seasons can reopen later in the year, call us and we'll tell you exactly what's open right now.
Why the fleet matters for snapper season
This is the part no single-boat charter can offer, and it's why we're a great fit for so many people looking to get in on the red snapper fishing action in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL:
- More dates available. Snapper season books up fast. With several boats, Fairwater can usually still get your group out on the day you want when one-boat operations are already full.
- The right boat for your group. We can match the vessel to your party size and trip goals instead of trying to force every group into a "one size fits all" situation.
- Big groups get to fish together. Family reunions, bachelor parties, church groups, corporate outings—we can run multiple boats side by side so a party of 20, 30, or more can all fish the same waters on the same day.
- Multiple captains sharing local knowledge. Captain Tom Ard and the rest of the team fish these waters constantly and share where the snapper are holding, so every boat in the fleet benefits from the whole crew's intel.
What red snapper fishing is like
Snapper put up a genuine, rod-bending fight that turns first-timers into lifelong anglers in a single trip—and they're outstanding in souvenir photos and on the table. Bring your catch back and many Orange Beach and Gulf Shores restaurants will cook it for you, or take it to your condo for a fresh Gulf dinner. Snapper season also overlaps with triggerfish, grouper, amberjack, and king mackerel, so the cooler rarely comes home empty.
How a snapper trip works with Fairwater
Choose your boat and trip length
Fairwater II, TradeWinds, and Southwind are our three bigger boats, ideal for groups of 7 to 18 passengers. For groups of up to just 6 people, you can save some cash by booking our smaller boat, the Bollweevil. All boats are clean and well maintained for safety—and they have modern amenities that allow you to fish in comfort. Click here to read about the trip lengths available and the current pricing.
What's provided
We make red snapper fishing easy by providing all the gear your group will need. Don't worry about bringing rods, reels, bait or tackle. Don't have a fishing license? No problem! We cover all necessary licenses when you fish with us.
What to bring
You just need to bring your food and drinks for the day (no glass containers, please), a cooler for your catch, and any sun protection and other comfort items you might require. Things like sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a change of clothes, and a towel can make a big difference when you're out fishing.
Departure point
We are located at Zekes Landing Marina, in Orange Beach, Alabama. The address is 26619 Perdido Beach Blvd. Orange Beach, AL 36561. The marina and the boats are very easy to find on the west dock in slips A1, A2, A3 & the center dock.
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Frequently asked questions: Fairwater red snapper trips
Can you take a really large group snapper fishing?
Yes—that's our specialty. Because we run a fleet, we can put multiple boats on the water for one big group, so reunions, corporate events, and large parties can all fish snapper season together on the same day. Each of our three largest boats can accommodate up to 18 passengers per trip, so booking all three of them could provide room for up to 54 people. Add in the Bollweevil and we can take a whopping 60 people fishing at one time!
Which boat will we be on?
You choose, based on availability, the size of your group, and your preferences. We can help you match the vessel to your group size and your trip goals. Let us know your party size and we'll recommend the best fit.
Do you still have snapper-season openings when other charters are booked?
Often, yes—having more boats means more available dates during the busy snapper season. The earlier you call, the better, but it's always worth checking with us.
How many red snapper can we keep?
Bag and size limits are set yearly as part of the season regulations. For 2026, the daily limit is 2 red snapper per person, and each fish must be at least 16 inches long. Our captains keep every trip within the current rules so you don't have to worry about keeping track.
Is snapper fishing good for kids and first-timers?
Absolutely—snapper are exciting and very catchable, and our crews are great with beginners and families.
Can we book more than one boat for the same day?
Yes. Booking multiple boats for one big group means even larger parties can still get the private charter fishing experience. It's a great reason to choose Fairwater Charters. Contact us with your numbers and dates and we'll coordinate it.
Book your Alabama red snapper trip
Snapper season is the busiest time of the year on the Alabama Gulf Coast—and the fleet's best dates go fast. Whether you need one boat or a whole flotilla, Fairwater Charters has the vessels and the captains to make it happen. Coming from Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Mobile, or Pensacola, you're a short drive from your next big catch.
Book Online | Call Us: 251-979-2682