Captain for Hire in Orange Beach, Alabama
Captain Matt Swiggum | USCG Master 100T
If you’re looking for a captain for hire in Orange Beach, Alabama, I offer hands-on guidance for both offshore and inshore fishing here on the Gulf Coast. Whether you’re heading offshore to deep water or staying inshore, I’ll help you make the most of your time on the water.
This is a captain-for-hire service, so you provide the boat and I come along to help you find fish, read conditions, and dial everything in. My goal is simple—help you catch more fish and understand exactly what you’re doing out there.
Inshore Fishing
I have extensive experience fishing inshore here on the Alabama Gulf Coast. If you’re fishing the bays or backwaters, I can help you dial in:
• Tides and water movement
• Structure and fish positioning
• Bait selection and presentation
• Targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and more
Inshore fishing can be simple once you understand it—I’ll help you get there faster.
nearshore Fishing
Closer to the beach, there’s plenty of action if you know what to look for. I can help you target:
• Spanish mackerel
• King mackerel
• Cobia
• Tarpon
• Jack crevalle
We’ll go over how to find them, what conditions to look for, and how to fish them the right way.
offshore Fishing
Offshore fishing is where I spend a lot of time, and I can help with a wide range of techniques and setups.
• Bottom fishing for reef species
• Deep dropping in 1000’+ water
• Swordfishing setup and strategy
• Finding and fishing structure
• Locating productive areas offshore
If you’re trying to get more consistent offshore results, I’ll help you understand what to look for and how to fish it effectively.
Electronics Overview
One of the biggest things I help people with is understanding their electronics.
• Reading sonar and structure
• Dialing in your fish finder settings
• Identifying bait vs game fish
• Understanding bottom and depth changes
If you’ve got good electronics but aren’t fully using them, this alone can make a huge difference.
Learn the Waters and Your Vessel
Not everyone is looking to fish all day—some people just want to learn the area, get comfortable running their boat, or have someone experienced at the helm.
If you’ve got a rental boat or your own boat and want help getting familiar with the local waters, I can ride along and show you how to navigate safely and confidently around Orange Beach and the surrounding areas.
What I Can Help With
- Navigating local waterways, passes, and no-go areas
- Understanding tides, currents, and safe routes
- Boat handling and general operation
- Docking, positioning, and basic seamanship
- Getting comfortable running your boat on your own
Rental Boat Assistance
If you’ve rented a boat and want to make sure you’re doing things right, I can come along to help you get comfortable, avoid common mistakes, and make the most of your time on the water.
This is a great option for families or groups who want to enjoy the day without worrying about figuring everything out on their own.
Who This Is For
• First-time boaters
• Visitors renting boats in Orange Beach
• New boat owners
• Anyone wanting more confidence on the water
How it Works
This is a captain-for-hire service only.
• You provide the boat
• I come aboard and guide the trip
• Everything is tailored to what you want to target
No booking calendar—just reach out and we’ll set something up.
Pricing
Captain for hire services start at $75/hr and vary depending on the type of trip, duration, and what you’re looking to target.
Since every trip is different, the best way to get accurate pricing is to call or email and we’ll go over exactly what you’re trying to do.
