Hey Boy II Charters

Hey Boy II Charters runs offshore fishing trips out of Orange Beach, Alabama, working out of Zeke’s Marina at 26619 Perdido Beach Boulevard. The operation combines trolling and bottom fishing on the same outing, giving anglers a shot at both the pelagic species that run offshore and the bottom dwelling fish the Alabama coast is known for. Captain Zach Gilbert runs the boat and has fished professionally since 2008.

The boat itself is a 36 foot Topaz powered by twin Cummins diesel engines, a vessel that has been running charters since 1990. It is licensed for up to six passengers, a cap that keeps trips private rather than filled out with unrelated groups, and the crew keeps it maintained with regular safety equipment inspections.

Captain Zach grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and has spent a lifetime on the water there and along the Alabama coast. On the company’s website, he describes his connection to the region simply: “The Gulf of Mexico is not only beautiful, but provides for our way of life.” That background shows up in how the charter is run, with an emphasis on helping guests of varying skill levels actually catch fish rather than simply spend a day offshore.

Species targeted on a typical trip include bonita, cobia, king mackerel, redfish, Spanish mackerel, shark, red snapper, triggerfish, amberjack, and grouper, along with faster offshore species like marlin, wahoo, and tuna when conditions allow. That range lets the crew shift tactics through the day, moving from trolling for pelagics to bottom fishing for grouper and snapper depending on what is producing.

All fishing equipment is included in a trip, from rods and reels to bait and tackle, so guests do not need to arrive with their own gear. The boat is also outfitted with the kind of amenities that make a full day offshore more comfortable, an important detail for families or first time anglers who may be unsure what to expect from a longer trip.

Wildlife sightings are common along the way, with dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, flying fish, and sea birds all visible from the boat depending on the day and location. For guests less interested in a full offshore run, Hey Boy II also offers sunset cruises through the calmer back bay waters around Orange Beach, a lower key option that still gets visitors out on the water without the length or intensity of a deep sea trip.

Reaching the boat involves two separate phone numbers, a direct line to Captain Zach and a separate booking agent line, a common setup among smaller charter operations where the captain is frequently out on the water and unreachable mid trip. That structure still lets prospective guests get a trip scheduled even when the captain is offshore running another charter that day.

The charter’s mailing address is in Lillian, Alabama, while the boat itself operates out of Zeke’s Marina in Orange Beach, part of the busy marina district that anchors much of the city’s charter fishing industry. The company describes the capped passenger count as allowing for “a more personal experience,” a phrase that reflects the smaller, family style charters the boat tends to run rather than larger group outings.

The back bay sunset trip is described on the company’s site as offering “a relaxing and memorable experience,” positioned as a distinct option rather than a scaled down version of the fishing charter. That framing gives repeat visitors and first time guests alike a reason to book Hey Boy II more than once during the same trip to Orange Beach, whether for a morning of fishing or an evening on calmer water.

Between the offshore trolling and bottom fishing trips and the back bay sunset option, Hey Boy II Charters gives visitors more than one way to spend time on the water during a single Orange Beach vacation, all through the same captain, crew, and boat operating out of Zeke’s Marina.