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Donnie Vinson
Captain

Donnie Vinson

Gulf Shores, United States
Angler's choice
250+ reviews
Captain Donnie Vinson was born and raised on Alabama's Gulf Coast. He grew up in Spanish Fort and has spent more than 3 decades fishing in and around Mobile Bay. He's fished everything from the rivers of the Delta to the Gulf's deep sea. The captain loves being on the water and is always looking for the next memorable experience. He's eager to share his passion and knowledge and he loves taking people for a great day of fishing or a wonderful sunset cruise. Captain Donnie is fully certified by the American Red Cross in CPR as well as first aid. Also, he's a member of the Alabama Coastal Fishing Association (ACFA). He competed in various tournaments throughout the Gulf Coast as well as in Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, the world's largest angling tournament. Join Captain Donnie aboard for tight lines!
Captain Donnie V.
Captain Donnie V.
Captain
Candace V.
Candace V.
First mate
Anne V.
Anne V.
Business partner

Charters

Rating

4.9
253 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

96%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
92%
Caught fish

All reviews (253)

Showing 1 – 5 of 253 reviews
  • Dee Jay Baker
    Dee Jay Baker
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    BEST TRIP EVER

    4 Hour Trip – Red Snapper (2PM) • 6 adults

    Our family had an amazing time on this fishing charter! From the moment we stepped on the boat, the captain and crew made us feel welcome and ensured everyone—from the adults to the kids—had a great experience. They were knowledgeable, patient, and always willing to help with baiting hooks and casting! We caught plenty of fish, enjoyed beautiful scenery, and created memories we’ll be talking about for years. The boat was clean, comfortable, and well-equipped, making the entire trip relaxing and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a fun family-friendly fishing adventure, we highly recommend this charter. We can’t wait to come back for another trip!

    Reported catch:
    Red Snapper
    Response from Captain

    This family was ripping lips from start to finish . Thanks Capt Donnie

  • David Davis
    David Davis
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2016
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Dannie and Candace make the day

    4 Hour Trip – Red Snapper • 6 adults

    I can’t say enough good things about Captain Donnie and his daughter Candace. I don’t think we would’ve been able to do this trip with any other Captain. The morning started out with torrential rain and I was sure we were going to be canceled. That was before I realized the tenacity of Captain Donnie. We had to push our start time due to some significant storms. He told us we were going to get wet so we were prepared. We caught a ton of fish, unfortunately. Most of them were just below the legal limit. We went to several different spots over the morning and if the fish weren’t biting, Captain Donnie was gonna move us to get on the fish again. It was a rough day with the rain and the waves in the current, and somehow we still ended up with enough red Stryper to have a few good meals. I had my teenage granddaughters on the trip and both Captain Donnie and Candace were really good with them. Very patient would help them out kept us fishing the entire time. If you are looking for a Captain, that’s going to put you on the fish and not give up regardless of the element then you want to use Captain Donnie. I would book this trip in an instant again. Thank you, Captain Donnie for a great day of fishing and for your persistence in getting fish on the boat.

    Reported catch:
    Red Snapper
    Response from Captain

    thanks guys definitely a hard faught win to keep pushing to pursue the fish sometimes we get on them sometimes its just plain out hard core fishing with the weather. thanks again Capt Donnie

  • Forrest Mccullough
    Forrest Mccullough
    Repeat angler
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2025
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Best Family Friendly Guide in the Area

    4 Hr Trip – Inshore/Nearshore (PM) • 3 adults • 1 child

    Captain Donnie took our family offshore to an amazing spot for red snapper. We hooked up immediately and you could see the schools of fish 18 feet down in crystal clear water. We caught 8-10 snapper before my 7 year old started getting sea sick. This was one of those days when all the stars align and the Captain has you in the exact right spot at the exact right time. Catain Donnie, understandingly pulled up and went back inshore to help with sea sickness and got us back on great speckeled trout. He was incredible with my family. You wont find a better guide for family trips!!

    Reported catch:
    Red Snapper
    Spanish Mackerel
    Speckled Trout
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Ryan Pate
    Ryan Pate
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Perfect Fishing Adventure!!!

    4 Hr Trip – Inshore/Nearshore (PM) • 4 adults • 2 children

    We had a great time. I brought my wife and 2 kids. Donnie and Candace were the nicest people. They took very good care of us and put us on the fish right away. We caught all kinds of fish and even hooked a stingray. I had a blast and know that my kids will remember this for the rest of their lives. Thank You to Team Vinson for the awesome memories!!!

    Reported catch:
    Redfish
    Speckled Trout
  • Donald Hailey
    Donald Hailey
    us
    Arkansas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    hard working crew!

    4 Hr Trip – Inshore/Nearshore - 10:00 AM • 5 adults

    As is often the case, bad weather affected our trip. Captain Donnie called the day before our trip and worked out the details. We were able to adjust the trip schedule. Once we were on the water Captain Donnie and his daughter, Candace worked hard to ensure we avoided the stoms as much as possible, caught fish, and had a good time. Even though we were the last trip of the day and those two were exhausted, they had everything ready and never made us feel rushed. We will definitely book with them again next year!

    Reported catch:
    Red Snapper
    Response from Captain

    thanks guys!! definitely a hard trip but yall killed it till next time tight lines snd fish on. Thanks Capt Donnie

Real catches shared by our community

  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    Adult angler holding a spotted sea trout aboard a center-console fishing boat in coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Speckled Trout
    Specks and reds were munchn !!
  • Team Vinson Charters
    Team Vinson ChartersFort Morgan, AL
    Adult angler proudly holding a large redfish over a coastal marsh dock.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Redfish
    Mitch L.
    Mitch L.
    The Capt and his mate were awsome. The weather was crazy 35+ mph winds the water in the bay dropped over 8 ft in 12 hrs. We fished hard for 4 hrs. Capt was constantly trying to get us on fish. We ended up catching over dozen fish and keeping 4. All and all I think we did the best we could with the conditions. We definitely be contacting again for another trip.
  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    Young angler proudly holding a redfish aboard a center-console fishing boat, with family members and coastal marsh waters in the background.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Redfish
    Ryan P.
    Ryan P.
    We had a great time. I brought my wife and 2 kids. Donnie and Candace were the nicest people. They took very good care of us and put us on the fish right away. We caught all kinds of fish and even hooked a stingray. I had a blast and know that my kids will remember this for the rest of their lives. Thank You to Team Vinson for the awesome memories!!!
  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    Solo angler holding a redfish aboard a center-console boat in a calm coastal marsh channel.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Redfish
    This catch and release trip was super fun with this family. Caught lots of reds fish
  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    A proud angler displaying a large Flounder while fishing on a boat, with fellow anglers in the background enjoying the day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Flounder
    Jim M.
    Jim M.
  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    A proud father and son duo displaying their catch of Red Snapper aboard a Skeeter boat, showcasing a successful day of fishing.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Mahlon P.
    Mahlon P.
    Captain Donnie pulled up to his spot and we dropped down and it was hot and heavy until we limited out on the red snapper. A great trip.
  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    Adult angler proudly holding a large grouper aboard a center-console fishing boat at sea during sunset.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Speckled Trout
    Megan S.
    Megan S.
    We had a great time with our family fishing and caught some absolutely huge fish! Captain Donnie and Candace were wonderful helping us and our kids!
  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    A young angler proudly displaying a Speckled Trout while sitting on a boat in a sunny fishing environment.
    Josh D.
    Josh D.
    Had a great time, with my son and father in law. Would book again.
  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Redfish while fishing near an oil rig.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Redfish
    Carissa A.
    Carissa A.
    Captain Donnie and his daughter Candace were fantastic! They were very knowledgeable, knew where to go to get the fish, everything about the fish and made sure we caught fish! We will definitely be back next year and book with them!
  • Team Vinson Charters 2
    Team Vinson Charters 2Dauphin Island, AL
    An angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Todd S.
    Todd S.

Our Fishing Locations

What's biting with Team Vinson 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

Fishing reports

Adult angler holding a spotted sea trout aboard a center-console fishing boat in coastal waters.

Specks and Reds Brought the Action

Oct 31, 2026 • Dauphin Island
Specks and reds were munchn !!
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Adult angler proudly holding a redfish aboard a boat on open coastal water, with a bridge visible in the background.

Catch-and-Release Redfish Family Trip

Oct 14, 2026 • Dauphin Island
This catch and release trip was super fun with this family. Caught lots of reds fish
Show more
An angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Hot Bite Interrupted by Sharks

Aug 23, 2026 • Dauphin Island
Bite started off on fire ?then the sharks moved in on us made it a lik tricky but managed to make a good trip.
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A young angler proudly displays two large Red Snapper alongside family members on a boat after a successful fishing trip.

Slayn on some Alabama Red Snapper

Jul 4, 2026 • Dauphin Island
The bite was absolutely insane every drop your pulling or missing a snapper.
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A family group proudly displaying their catch of Red Snapper on a fishing charter, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Wacken the Red Snapper

Jun 27, 2026 • Dauphin Island
From start to finish this family absolutely slayed !
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Angler proudly displaying a vibrant Red Snapper while fishing on a boat in open waters.

Wacky Wednesday

Jun 25, 2026 • Gulf Shores
Slayn on the Alabama Red Snapper
Show more