Almost three years ago, Dustin Bedgood and Jake Pose opened Fairhope Fish House. This is the freshest fish you can get because it was caught that day. Operating two boats, a 33-foot Freeman and a 31-foot Ameracat, both sportfishing catamarans, Justin and Jake, along with their deck hands venture into the Gulf of Mexico to catch mostly tuna and swordfish. Their method is referred to as “Day Boat” fishing and it wouldn’t be any fresher if you caught it yourself. You can hear the excitement in Dustin’s voice, “It’s my dream job”.

After a day of landing these sought-after delicacies, they return to prepare their catch for sale. Fairhope Fish House has an email list of customers and sends out daily notifications on what they have to offer. First come, first served. It’s not always sword fish and tuna, I’ve purchased Snapper Throats from them before and man… hard to beat! Destin and his wife, Johanna, live in Foley, and have 6-year-old twins, Logan and Reese. Jake grew up on Dauphin Island and his wife, Jill, is a Fairhope girl. They now live in Daphne. I met Jill last Thursday at the Fairhope Farmers Market with their Golden Retriever, Fin. She was selling fresh Yellow Fin tuna and Fairhope Fish House t-shirts. In an earlier conversation with Dustin, he explained the difference they offer. Most seafood markets are buying from suppliers that utilize long-line fishing and the process takes a while. Fairhope Fish House sells their fish locally, within 24 hours of catching the fish.  

Business is good. Fairhope Fish House has recently purchased the former H&M Golf Cart building in Barnwell. They are preparing the facility so they can bring their boats directly to the building to process the fish and ready their boats for the next day. A third boat being built and outfitted with an experienced young deckhand ready to take the helm, captain’s license in tow. But that’s not all they do…

Dustin and Jake also run a fishing charter business out of Fairhope and Orange Beach. You can book a half-day Inshore trip in their a 24-foot Blazer Bay with capacity up to four people (up to 6 with kids) and fish for Tripletail, Dustin’s favorite to eat, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead, and Flounder, which have made a comeback through conservation efforts. They also charter for offshore full-day trips up to six adults in their bigger boats. You might land Tuna, Swordfish, Grouper and occasionally, Snapper and Amberjack. 

Fairhope Fish House has a loyal clientele base of charter customers, and nothing excites Dustin more than someone who wants to go after a big swordfish in deep water! Then there is the Barrel Fish that I had never heard of that you might hook in 1100- to 1200-foot-deep water. Dustin says they are good eating. For bigger groups they call in other trusted fishing guide friends to help.

You can reach Fairhope Fish House through their website, Instagram and Facebook.
Email: fairhopefishhouse@gmail.com
Phone: (251) 377-7135

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