So you've booked your first land-based shark fishing trip — or you're thinking about it — and you're wondering what you're actually in for. Here's the honest, no-fluff breakdown of what a trip with Gillikin's Island looks like from start to finish.
You Don't Need Experience
This is the most common concern we hear, and the most unnecessary one. Every trip is guided, hands-on, and built for beginners. Chip walks you through every step — how to hold the rod, how to fight the fish, how to read the bite. The only thing you need to bring is a willingness to get your feet wet.
What We're Targeting
On Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches, the most common catches are:
Blacktip Sharks
4 to 6 feet, acrobatic fighters, extremely common.
Bull Sharks
Powerful, stocky, one of the strongest fighters pound for pound.
Hammerhead Sharks
The bucket list catch — unmistakable silhouette.
Spinner Sharks
Known for leaping completely out of the water when hooked.
Species vary by season and water temperature. Summer and early fall typically offer the most diversity.
How We Get the Bait Out
This is where land-based shark fishing gets interesting. We're not just casting from the shore — we use a combination of drones, RC boats, and kayaks to place baits precisely where the sharks are feeding, sometimes 300 to 400 yards offshore. This technology is what separates a productive shark fishing trip from a long walk on the beach.
What the Bite Feels Like
Nothing prepares you for it. The rod doubles over, the drag screams, and suddenly you're connected to something that does not want to come in. Expect a fight. Expect to use muscles you forgot you had. Expect to be grinning the entire time.
The Release
At Gillikin's Island, every shark is released. We handle each fish quickly and carefully — unhook it in the water, hold it steady while it recovers, then watch it swim back into the Gulf. You'll get photos and a complimentary video of your catch. The shark goes home. So do you, with a story you'll tell for years.
What to Bring
What We Provide
Everything else. Show up ready to fish — we handle the rest.
When to Book
Summer (June–August) and fall (September–October) are peak season. Weekends fill up weeks in advance. If you have specific dates in mind, book early.
We run trips across Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, Perdido Key, and Dauphin Island — so we can usually work with where you're staying.