About Distraction Fishing Charters
OUR MISSION: To CATCH FISH and be the most memorable, fun and gracious charter boat in the world!
Distraction has been serving family’s and avid anglers in the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area since 2002. The boat and business is family owned and operated by Troy Frady. Captain is what I do, but Troy is my name.
The Distraction charter fishing boat specializes in providing the best service in the industry, while producing the best deep sea fishing trips for serious anglers, family’s, first timers and kids.
Our charter boat is named Distraction. Because when I was renovating it in 2002, My wife said that this boat is a “Distraction to our marriage.” She is 41 feet long and 13 feet wide. It is air conditioned, has a clean, odor free restroom-toilet. She is very well maintained, clean, has modern electronics, engines and it shows.
We operate mostly from March to the end of October each year. We carry from 6 passengers maximum in your group. All the trips we offer are private. This means only you and your group are on the boat. Sorry, we do find people to join your group. Every fishing trip we offer is specific to our guests and their desires. Please continue reading below so you can find out why we are the premier family fishing charter in Alabama.
We See Deep Sea Fishing Differently
Distraction operates with a different mindset than other deep sea fishing boats on the Alabama gulf coast. Instead of only focusing on filling the cooler, we believe the fishing experience should be valuable and memorable. Being educators and teachers of deep sea fishing, we develop our customers so you can learn to catch different species of saltwater fish by yourself. We are also the birthplace of family fishing. We are forward thinking captains and mates that teach you how to catch some really cool fish. Depending on the length of your trip, some of them can be really large. Captain Troy and his crew promote conservation by asking our guests, how many fish do you want or need to make you happy? We offer the best service and hospitality in the charter fishing industry.
Breaking The Rules In Charter Fishing – Creating Our Own Traditions
As a child/teenager, my father would take us deep sea fishing on charter boats. Some charters were awesome. Others were not. After seeing first hand how a lot of charters operated, I always thought how I would “break the rules” and do things differently if I had my own boat. The first thing I did to break the rules was humble myself and have a servants attitude. I also made sure we were friendly and patient with our guests.
Since I came from outside the fishing industry, I knew less about how charters were run or the traditions they had, than anyone else. Not knowing all the old traditions, actually gave me an opportunity to offer customers more. I always envisioned deep sea fishing including something more. I believe charter boats should provide incredible customer service, a lot of hospitality and education. They should also a positive conservation message.
Available Fishing Trips
The most common fishing trip options we offer are half day and full day during our busy tourist season. This is from March (spring break) to the end of October. Most of our trips are run between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year.
Half Day Trips – Because we want you to have a good time and have a reasonable chance to catch fish, the half day trip is the minimum or shortest trip we offer. The half day territory covers waters out to about 20 miles offshore. There are a lot of reefs and fish we can take you to catch in that area, but many of the fish are smaller – but do offer an awesome fight. We do catch our share of larger fish on half day trips. However, catching them requires a little luck and skill by the angler to get them to the boat. Shorter trips keep you close to shore where fishing pressure is incredible and the fish are smaller or smart enough not to bite your hook. Because we want you to have a successful trip, we encourage you to book a minimum of half a day any time of the year.
Full Day Trips – These trips are ideal for those who want to try and catch different species and or larger fish in deeper water. These trips are ideal for those who have been fishing before, or want to spend an entire day fishing. Full day trips get you out sometimes 30-40 miles offshore. These trips are what we call deep water fishing trips.
Why We Have You Submit A Reservation Request
Our reservations require two quick and easy steps. First, the Inquiry you submit with a little information about your group, when you want to fish and tell us what you want to achieve on your trip. This helps us create a trip just for you and understand what you are looking for out of a charter. We will email you and ask if you want to confirm your trip? The second step is to respond and say “Yes, I want to confirm my trip.”
We are Not Like Everyone Else. The reason we don’t allow you to click an “easy button” and “instantly” confirm your trip is simple. The brokers who offer “Instant conformations” are triggering you to impulse buy. Much like a casino slot machine with all the bells and whistles, they are designed to distract you. These distractions in our opinion force you to make a buying decision before you know what you are actually getting. Many customers who book using brokers often are disappointed, and we don’t want to let you down.
Being different than the rest, we do not publish pictures of only our “best trips or biggest fish.” Each day is different and not every day produces a cooler full of fish or a big fish. Most days we catch plenty. In our opinion, Instant confirmations may be fine when buying a product from Amazon, but it will get you in trouble or let you down when booking a fishing charter. Fishing charters do not sell fish. We sell service, hospitality and wonderful experiences.
Customer Service and Hospitality
Our attention to customer service and hospitality is unsurpassed. Our reputation is flawless, but our desire to please you continues to improve every day. Each trip helps us become better at what we do for you. We believe deep sea fishing involves so much more than catching fish. That is why we involve you and your family in what we are doing. You and your kids are welcome to come upstairs with the captain. You are welcome to drive our boat. We let you ask a thousand questions if you want.
Most importantly, we offer you a stress free, laid back environment. Your captain treats you with respect, laughter and a fun. We educate, demonstrate and let you learn at your own pace. Our fishing tackle is simple and easy to use. However, there is a learning curve on becoming proficient using it. That is where your deckhand comes in. He gently and calmly takes you through each step of the process. This helps you catch fish.
Your Fishing Time
When it comes to deep sea fishing, all charter boats pretty much ride the same amount of time offshore, catch the same size and species of fish for the same trip length. What we do differently is, we communicate with you and let you know beforehand about how long the ride is to and from the fishing grounds. If you are happy catching fish, we let you fish. This gives you more fishing time. As long as the fish are biting, we stay and let you catch them. When the fish bite slows or a dolphin or shark shows up and stops the bite, we move on to another spot. We will also move if the fish we are catching aren’t big enough to keep.
How Many Fish You Want vs How Many Fish You Need
Being responsible and accountable for our actions is important to us. We are the only charter who will ask you before you start fishing, what you want to do with your fish. We have had trips before where customers caught a bunch of fish and put them in the cooler and when we got back to the dock, they did not want their fish. It has happened more frequently than can imagine and still happens on many other charters.
Instead of automatically assuming that the purpose of your trip is to limit out or fill the cooler, we ask you what you want to do with the fish you catch. It doesn’t matter to us if you want to keep a limit or just a few for supper. We don’t mind if you want to let them all go. We are here to serve you and will do all we can to please you. If the fish you catch are in season, you are welcome to keep them all. If the fish you catch are not in season, we will let you get a picture and let it go. We are servants that want you to get the most out of your deep sea fishing trip.
We Are Obsessed Where We Are Going, Not With Our Competition
Our competitors often battle to see who has the best catch or the biggest fish. They are obsessed with being good fishermen and many have huge egos. We are not like that. We refer to ourselves as humble servants. We care if you receive the best experience. We don’t care what other captains are doing or catching. Instead, we do our own thing. That is what makes us unique. And that is what makes what we do for you, so special.
We are only obsessed with why we do what we do and where we are going. We have no ego. All we do is strive to be the best we can be and learn something new every day. Our goal is to be the best servant and give our guests the opportunity to have fun and hopefully learn something new. We do these things in an attempt to become better guides. Some days we are ahead, and other days we are behind. But every day we are working on ourselves and how we can improve the service we provide you.
Catching a big Wahoo is always a possibility while deep sea fishing in Orange Beach on our specially requested full day trips.
Why you will enjoy Deep Sea fishing with Distraction!
We take you to catch the same species of fish everyone else catches, but we offer so much more. Your family will enjoy deep sea fishing the way we do it. With us, there is fun, laughter, humor, safety, luxury, education and a whole lot of reeling. When you allow us to serve you, you are going to get an experience that is so valuable, you can’t find it elsewhere.
Where Our Charter Boat Is Docked
We are docked just left of the Orange Beach Marina dock store in slip E12, which is located at 27075 Marina Road, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
Where We Take You To Fish
We fish south of Orange Beach beach, in the Gulf of Mexico. Our boat can see the condo’s on short trips. We do go farther offshore where you may lose sight of the top of the condos on our longer trips. Deep sea fishing can be up to 40 miles out, depending on the length of the trip you book. Since most of our trips during the summer months are half a day in length, we usually stay within 10-12 miles on our regular charters. On our half day premium fishing trip, we go faster, which gets you farther. The distance ranges from 16 to 20 miles offshore. On the premium trips, you have a chance to catch more variety of fish. These fish include vermilion snapper, white snapper and possibly a lane snapper. Our full day trips are where we can target larger fish like amberjack and grouper (as long as they are in season). We also offer full day deep water fishing trips for the more experienced angler.
Your Captain and Crew’s Professionalism
Captain Troy (me) is a former corporate banking executive, transportation manager and commercial pilot that acts professional at all times. I do love to laugh, tell clean jokes and I find humor in every day life and situations. I have a way of getting shy children out of their shell and want to hang out with me upstairs. I even teach them how to drive the boat. Professionalism and safety go hand in hand on our vessel. The captain crew is drug and alcohol free. You can rest assured that your family is in competent and qualified hands when you allow us to serve you. You don’t have to worry about us being under the influence of anything other than happiness.
Why Distraction Is Unlike Any Other Fishing Charters Around
Peter Drucker said ” You can’t be an expert in something that used to work.” Coming from the corporate world of over 20 years, I found that quote to hold true. Many of the fishing charters we booked when I was a child, those captains habits, mannerisms are still the same as they were 40 years ago. That is why we offer a different kind of fishing charter, not just an alternative to other ones. When I tell you we are different, we mean it. I will explain below my past experiences with other charters for the past 30 years, in order to help you understand why we are the way we are. For over 21 years, we have been specializing in nothing but family fishing.
We Book Our Own Fishing Trips
Charter fishing companies that book their own boats, offer better over all fishing experiences. This is because when we don’t allow brokers to book us, we are able to invest that much needed revenue back into our business. When you see how we take care of our boat and tackle for yourself, you will understand what we are talking about.
Reasons You Should Book With Us:
The main reason you need to give us a chance to serve you is, we are just like you. We know what you expect and want for your family. We are extremely humble servants and our customers are the best. From the time you book your fishing charter trip, until we say goodbye, we are always there for you and asking are you satisfied. We trust our customers and they trust us to always do what is right. For that reason, we don’t require a deposit to hold your trip. All we need is a credit card number on file like a hotel. Doing so insures your spot and commitment to go fishing with us. If you are not satisfied with the way we treat you, we promise to make it right.
Our guides are teachers. We educate and demonstrate to you, how to catch saltwater fish. We then demonstrate how to bait your hook and drop your lines to catch the fish. When you come with us, you will come back feeling like you have accomplished something. You will be happy with yourself and your trip. When you allow us to serve you, you can relax, enjoy the sights, sounds and get ready for some world class fun.
Our Goal For You and Your Family
Our goal is to take you to the best fishing spots and keep your poles bent, catching one fish after another. We focus on you having something tugging on your line every time we stop the boat. Since we don’t fish for limits or only big fish, your family gets to enjoy a relaxing fishing experience where you can actually fish.
As long as the fish are biting, we will let you catch them. After we have fished a spot and you have caught some fish, we will ask you if you are ready for a break while we move to another reef. Then the process of catching fish starts all over again.
The Fish and Your Participation?
While most of the red snapper fish we catch on our regular half day trip are average size 14″ to 16.” These trips keep you within 15 miles of shore, some of them may be a lot larger that that. Our longer trips or premium half day trips take you from 15 to 20 miles in distance from shore. Here you can learn to catch a few more species than you can on the regular half day trip. We take you to try and catch as many different species of fish as we can, so you can experience what all lies beneath the seas. As with any fishing trip, the length of your trip, weather conditions, moon phases and your participation are all keys to catching quality fish. You can’t catch them if you are not participating. That’s why we encourage everyone to participate, no matter their age.
Catching a jack crevalle is a treat for any family. The food quality is not so good, but the game fish fight is one to remember.
Everyone likes the way we explain things so you will know we care about you getting a return on your investment. This ensures that you get the best charter fishing trip available. We are conservationists when it comes to deep sea fishing. We strongly believe that we need to take only what we need from our marine resources. This is because we want future generations will have fish to catch. We also do all we can to ensure the fish you catch and release survive. We do this by using barbless circle hooks and fish descending devices that keep fish from getting the bends.
Why We Do, What We Do, For Families and First Time Anglers
Competition between brothers is common.
We love families and it shows!
Parents and Grandparents Love What We Do For Them
Moms play a vital role in a child’s development. They also love to share those moments when their child catches their first fish.
Whether you are parents, first timers, have small kids or are involved grandparents, you will find something uniquely impressive when you allow us to custom tailor a deep sea fishing trip that is just right for you. Our guests have the opportunity to get involved at any level they choose and will learn something new about deep sea fishing in Orange Beach that you never knew existed. Being parents and grandparents, we want everyone to experience deep sea fishing. We especially encourage those parents who have children or family members with special needs, to bring them with us. We welcome them.
In addition to learning something new, your family will have a lot of fun and get a chance to catch some really nice fish using light tackle. With fishing seasons and bag limits being reduced to just a few weeks or months on popular species like red snapper, you may not be able to keep any of the fish you catch during certain times of the year. That doesn’t mean you won’t catch some quality fish. We can certainly catch a lot them and take a picture of you holding your trophy or first fish.
We expose you to deep sea fishing in Orange Beach in a way that allows you to truly absorb all of those magical moments and a world of wonder that might be missed if they were not pointed out. There is so much more to charter fishing than just riding on a boat and filling a cooler. Our goal is for your family and kids not to miss a thing and to catch some quality fish.
Escape Ordinary and try a different kind of fishing charter. Experience fishing with Distraction Charters
Come on and Indulge Yourself by fishing with us. Besides, Don’t you deserve it?