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All my 2026 trips and now every 2027 hosted trip is booked up (thanks, team!), and I’m turning toward filling 2028 trips. I know it seems like a long way off, but with the way time has been flying, these adventures will be here before we know it.

On Alabama’s Gulf Coast, every day begins with possibility. The launch ramps are quiet, pelicans skim the surface, and charter captains are already thinking several moves ahead—watching the wind, the water, and the bait before pushing the skiff toward the next opportunity. Whether you’re an experienced saltwater fly angler or chasing your first fish on fly, this place has a way of making the day feel equal parts adventure and hanging out with an old friend.

Speckled trout are a lot of fun on a fly rod, and a classic Gulf experience.

One morning might mean weaving through miles of floating sargassum, searching for the telltale shadow of a tripletail. Another could end with the unmistakable pull of your first redfish—or even a personal best—while your favorite playlist drifts across the bay. Not every cast connects, but every mile on the water feels like it’s leading somewhere worth seeing.

The experience stretches well beyond the boat. Between tides, you’ll discover the places that give Alabama’s coast its character: walk historic piers and quiet beaches at sunrise, browse local tackle and fly shops, share fresh Gulf seafood at waterfront restaurants, and spend slow evenings watching the sun settle from the comfort of an outdoor patio with a cold drink in hand.

The Gulf offers remarkable variety. Redfish cruise the shallows, black drum tail across the flats, and offshore adventures can bring encounters with snapper, spadefish, triggerfish, and more. Every day feels different, shaped by the season, the tides, and whatever the Gulf decides to offer.

That’s what makes trips in this corner of the world special. On this hosted trip it’s than booking a guide—it’s stepping into a thoughtfully curated coastal experience. You’ll fish hard when the conditions are right, laugh through the slow moments, eat exceptionally well, explore one of the Gulf’s most underrated destinations, and leave feeling like you’ve experienced Alabama through the eyes of guides who call it home.

The fish are part of the story. The people, the places, and the days in between are what make you want to come back.

Sometimes the photographer gets to fish, too. Photo (and guiding) courtesy of Captain Sam Glass.

If you’ve been following me for a few years, you might have noticed that, while most of my work is outside the U.S., one place stateside keeps drawing me back. I first visited the Alabama coast in June 2025 on a media trip with Columbia PFG, and found myself back in the same fishery (with the same awesome guides) this past May.

Suffice to say, I like it. I like it a lot. The little sliver of Alabama coastline is home to great fishing for redfish, speckled trout, drum, and more. I’ve put together a small hosted trip for August 2028, and only have two spots remaining. If you’re looking for a fun fishing escape with a relaxed vibe, no international travel, and a small group, this is one to eyeball.

We’ll be staying in a private guesthouse on private property (two rooms holding two anglers each), with catered meals and plenty of places to kick back and chill after a day of fishing. (It’s a very cute spot; I was just there last month.) Each pair of anglers will have their own guide and skiff for the fishing days, and we’ll spend our time exploring this wonderful fishery and chasing a variety of species.

I’d encourage anglers to look at staying a few days after the hosted trip. Head down to the cute little beach town of Gulf Shores, rent a room, and do a bit of beach fishing (or just relaxing). I’m happy to help set up these logistics for those who are interested, and have some great recommendations on a captain for a couple days tackle fishing as well, as well as an awesome Airbnb within easy walking distance of the beach.

This hosted trip is a specially-curated one that I’ve hand-assembled with the help of the awesome Sam Glass of Flyway Charters, who will be one of our guides. Two of the spots are already spoken for, with only two remaining.

Interested? Have questions? Click the green button above to send me a question here on Substack, or email at jessmcglothlinmedia@icloud.com (or message here on Instagram) and I’ll get right back to you.