John Sullens
Captain

John Sullens

Gulf Shores, United States
Veteran owned
Angler's choice
500+ reviews
Captain John has been fishing with his dad and grandparents since he was probably old enough to hold a fishing pole. He has fished in Key West, Savannah, Georgia, and the Gulf of Mexico, all the way to California, and even Hawaii. The captain enjoys fishing and loves watching people catch fish. He hopes to see you on the water soon. He and his six other captains will make sure you have fun while fishing.
John S.
John S.
Captain
Chastity W.
Chastity W.
Captain
Rick W.
Rick W.
Captain
David C.
David C.
Captain

Charters

Rating

4.8
710 reviews
4.7
Boat & Equipment
4.8
Captain & Crew
4.7
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

93%
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
95%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
88%
Caught fish

All reviews (710)

Showing 1 – 5 of 710 reviews
  • Suzanne Cain
    Suzanne Cain
    us
    Mississippi, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Freebird was Fantastic

    3 Hour Trip • 3 adults

    Our fishing excursion was fantastic. Our captain, Jerry, was fun and engaging. He helped us bait our hooks, and told us where to cast. We caught fish, they fileted them for us, and told us how or where to cook them. As a widowed mom, this was a fantastic way to take my two college aged sons fishing. We had the absolute best time hanging out on the boat, catching fish, and making great memories. We have already talked about doing this again next year! We recommend John's business, and especially Captain Jerry!

    Reported catch:
    Redfish
    Speckled Trout
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much for the amazing review! We’re thrilled y’all had such a great time on the water with Captain Jerry. Making memories, catching fish, and helping families enjoy their vacation together is exactly what we love to do. We’re honored you chose Freebird Charters for such a special trip with your sons, and we hope to have y’all back aboard again soon! 🎣☀️🛥️ — Freebird Charters

  • Taylor Ballard
    Taylor Ballard
    us
    Louisiana, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Knowledgeable Captains make for a great experience!

    3 Hour Trip – Inshore • 3 adults

    We had an amazing experience on this fishing charter! captain Chastity and captain Luke were friendly, knowledgeable, and worked hard to make sure everyone had a great time. They were helpful from start to finish and made the trip fun, relaxing, and successful. We caught plenty of fish and created memories we’ll never forget. I highly recommend this charter to anyone looking for a fantastic day on the water!

    Reported catch:
    Speckled Trout
    Response from Captain

    Glad to hear that you had a great time. Thank you. Capt John

  • Brandon Broach
    Brandon Broach
    us
    Alabama, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Flexible and Customer Oriented

    3 Hour Trip – Inshore Bay - 2:00 PM • 4 adults

    Jerry and Joe were fantastic. We had some rough weather blow in and they were so gracious to run us back to dock and wait out the rain storm. Jerry allowed us to fish our full three hours following the storm without question. The bite was slow but Jerry and Joe remained focused on finding us fish. They were solely focused on ensuring our group enjoyed our time and had a trip to remember. First class crew!

    Reported catch:
    Black Drum
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much for the kind words, Brandon! We truly appreciate your patience during the weather delay. Safety is always our top priority, and we're glad Captain Jerry and Joe were able to get you back on the water and make sure you got your full fishing time. Even when the bite is tough, our crew works hard to put our guests on fish and create a memorable experience. We’re grateful you chose us and hope to have you back aboard again soon! 🎣 Tight lines, The Freebird Charters Team We Catch Fish! 🐟

  • Brandy Fagan
    Brandy Fagan
    us
    Oklahoma, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    The owner and his wife are AMAZING!

    3 Hour Trip - 10:00 AM • 3 adults • 1 child

    They went above and beyond to make sure my teenager had a great time for his first experience saltwater fishing. We live in Oklahoma and he is an avid fisherman, I dont think he will ever catch another fish that gives him the excitement that catching the sharks he caught did. Thank you so much! We just got back to OK and the kids both say they want to start saving to go back!

    Reported catch:
    Speckled Trout
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much for the great review Brandy can't wait to see you all again. Glad you made it home safely. Captain John

  • Darrin Bush
    Darrin Bush
    us
    Nebraska, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great fishing trip!!

    Quick Fishing Trip - 12:00 PM • 3 adults

    Jerry and Joey did an excellent job! My son uses forearm crutches to walk and they were very accommodating for him and they made sure he was having fun! We caught ALOT of fish and this will be a great core memory for all of us! My son loves to fish and won’t stop talking about this trip! I highy recommend them and will definitely do it again! Thanks again! Darrin Bush

    Reported catch:
    Southern Kingfish
    Speckled Trout
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much for the kind words! It was an absolute pleasure having your family on board. We're especially happy to hear your son had such a great time and that Jerry and Joey helped make the trip enjoyable and accessible for him. Creating memories like these is exactly why we love what we do. Thank you for trusting us with your fishing adventure, and we can't wait to welcome you back for another great day on the water! 🎣😊 — The Freebird Charters Team

Real catches shared by our community

  • Gulf Coast Charters
    Gulf Coast ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    A variety of fish laid out on a fillet table, showcasing the catch of the day after a fishing trip.
    Justin B.
    Justin B.
    Took a 2 hr trip and caught 40+ fish. Cleaned and ready to cook before we left. Friendly captian and helper. Great for a novice or experainced fisherman.
  • Gulf Coast Charters
    Gulf Coast ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    A cooler filled with various fish, likely caught during a fishing trip, resting on ice for preservation.
    Fish 1
    Black Drum
    Patrick  .
    Patrick .
    My brother-in-law and I both love fishing, so it was a semi selfish birthday gift. We both had an amazing time with Jerry as our captain. He is as chill as they come, and will put you where the fish are. Could not recommend this trip enough. We will be doing this again the next time we visit. 
  • Gulf Coast Charters
    Gulf Coast ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    Teen angler holding a large black drum at a waterfront dock, with another young group member visible behind him.
    Fish 1
    Sheepshead
    Kristen M.
    Kristen M.
  • Gulf Coast Charters
    Gulf Coast ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    Angler proudly displaying a Redfish while fishing on a calm river, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Brad N V.
    Brad N V.
  • Gulf Coast Charters
    Gulf Coast ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    Three young anglers proudly displaying their catch of speckled trout on a boat after a successful fishing trip.
    Rick G.
    Rick G.
    Excellent trip! The captain knew exactly where to fish! Well worth it!!
  • Gulf Coast Charters
    Gulf Coast ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    A family poses proudly with their catch of speckled trout displayed on a cleaning table after a successful fishing trip.
    Taylor B.
    Taylor B.
    We had an amazing experience on this fishing charter! captain Chastity and captain Luke were friendly, knowledgeable, and worked hard to make sure everyone had a great time. They were helpful from start to finish and made the trip fun, relaxing, and successful. We caught plenty of fish and created memories we’ll never forget. I highly recommend this charter to anyone looking for a fantastic day on the water!
  • Freebird Charters
    Freebird ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    A family proudly displays their catch of speckled trout on a cleaning table at a fishing dock.
    Jed E.
    Jed E.
    Our group had a great trip! Captain John and his crew were fantastic, took us to a great spot and caught a lot of fish! My son loved it!
  • Freebird Charters
    Freebird ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    Angler proudly displaying a large Red Snapper in a grassy area near a fishing location.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Bryeson T.
    Bryeson T.
  • Gulf Coast Charters
    Gulf Coast ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    Multiple silver fish with yellow fins arranged on a boat cleaning table, showcasing a fresh inshore fishing catch.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Whitefin Weakfish
    Mike C.
    Mike C.
    Took my sons on a two hour trip. Captain Jerry was awesome. Told us some great stories about the areas that we fished and kept relocating us until we found a hot spot. We rounded out the trip with 14 fish (plus a small shark and some catfish that we tossed back). Great day on the water with my sons and Captain Jerry!
  • Freebird Charters
    Freebird ChartersGulf Shores, AL
    A young angler proudly displaying a caught shark while fishing on a sunny day.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Blacktip Shark
    Brandy F.
    Brandy F.
    They went above and beyond to make sure my teenager had a great time for his first experience saltwater fishing. We live in Oklahoma and he is an avid fisherman, I dont think he will ever catch another fish that gives him the excitement that catching the sharks he caught did. Thank you so much! We just got back to OK and the kids both say they want to start saving to go back!

Our Fishing Locations

What's biting with Gulf Coast Charters in Gulf Shores

Bull Redfish are gathering off the beaches and make for an amazing spectacle as they head to their breeding grounds. Weather conditions can put a halt to offshore fishing charters, so make sure to be flexible.

Top catches for November