Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report

This week's Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report covers a busy early-summer bite across the Alabama Gulf Coast, from shallow flats and windy beaches to the Gulf State Park Pier and the future of Mobile Bay habitat. Chris Vecsey of J&M Tackle kicks things off with a report from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, where trout and redfish are feeding well on shallow flats, wind-blown banks, dock lights, plastics, topwater, wake baits, and fly patterns, while heavy sargassum is making surf fishing more difficult but not shutting it down. Capt. Bobby Abruscato of A-Team Fishing checks in from the marsh and Mississippi Sound with a detailed speckled trout report, explaining how a dry spring kept fish in the rivers unusually late, why shrimp finally showing up changed the bite, and how he's been adjusting lure size, water clarity, wind direction, slicks, and wade-fishing setups to stay on fish. David Thornton, The Pier Pounder, brings a Gulf State Park Pier and surf report, with king mackerel finally showing up, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, pompano, bull reds, jack crevalle, and sargassum all playing into the current beach and pier pattern. To close it out, William Strickland of Mobile Baykeeper gives an update on fish kills, unusual jubilee-type events, federal mud dumping, dredge material, habitat restoration, oyster reefs, sea grass, and why anglers have a direct stake in protecting and rebuilding Mobile Bay's fisheries. PIER CAM LINKS Fairhope Pier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5wWOVOTHmQ DI North https://hazcams.com/station/dauphin-island-al-us-001 DI South https://hazcams.com/station/dauphin-island-al-us-002 DI East End https://www.wkrg.com/dauphin-island/ Fort Morgan (Beach Club) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2em7gqBj00 Gulf Shores https://hazcams.com/embed/station/gulf-shores-al-us-001 Gulf Shores (Sea-N-Suds) https://bamabeachcams.com/sea-n-suds.aspx Romar Beach Tower https://api.wetmet.net/widgets/stream/frame.php?uid=5da7ce0cd284c9bc597bd3777dc4ac00 Orange Beach (Turquoise Place) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJqrjIuvGFE Orange Beach (Perdido Pass) https://hazcams.com/station/orange-beach-al-us-001 Orange Beach (Phoenix X) https://rtsp.me/embed/DHd8kEGe/? WALA Fox 10 cams https://www.youtube.com/@FOX10.News./streams Brett & Robinson Cams https://www.brett-robinson.com/phoenix-gulf-towers-web-cam/ Pensacola Beach cams https://www.visitpensacola.com/webcams Navarre Pier https://www.youtube.com/live/7WzKQETomHU Okaloosa Pier (underwater) https://www.youtube.com/live/f56BJHhGkUI Panama City Bch Pier https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/webcam/ SPONSORS Make Wake Marine Deep South Cranes Sea Tow CCA Alabama Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works Foster Contracting Black Buffalo Slip Ski Solutions Admiral Shellfish Company Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts / Realtime-Navigator McCoy Outdoor Company Ricciardone Dentistry Midway Lumber Sales Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats EMS / Endeck Camper City Mobile

This week's Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report covers a changing early-summer bite from the surf to the offshore grounds, plus a new kids fishing tournament on the Eastern Shore. Tony Emmons with South Alabama Surf Fishing kicks things off with a beach report focused on working around heavy grass, finding openings in the surf, and catching speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, flounder, redfish, and the first schools of jack crevalle. Capt. Kendall Annan of Gulf Rebel Charters checks in from Orange Beach with a red snapper and offshore report, including how to catch better snapper, why drift lines matter, how to deal with scattered grass while trolling, and how his crew is picking up bonus fish like wahoo, king mackerel, mahi mahi, and other pelagics in pretty water close to shore. Capt. Jay O'Brien of Irish Wake Fishing breaks down a strong but complicated inshore trout bite, with fish changing between mullet, glass minnows, krill, soft plastics, MirrOlures, croakers, and smaller bait profiles depending on water quality, tide, moon phase, and salinity. To close it out, Anthony Ricciardone joins the show to preview the inaugural Hooked on Fairhope kids fishing tournament, a beginner-friendly event built around the Fairhope Pier, local access, youth fishing, and getting more families connected to Mobile Bay SPONSORS Make Wake Marine Deep South Cranes CCA Alabama Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works Foster Contracting Black Buffalo Slip Ski Solutions Admiral Shellfish Company Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts / Realtime-Navigator McCoy Outdoor Company Ricciardone Dentistry Midway Lumber Sales Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats EMS / Endeck Camper City Mobile

Fishing is heating up across the Alabama Gulf Coast, and this week's episode covers both sides of that summer kickoff: crowded holiday-weekend inshore waters and a serious offshore swordfish bite. Capt. Ben Knight of Great Southern Fishing Charters checks in from the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area with a nighttime dock-light report, explaining how he's been getting away from heavy daytime boat traffic and finding redfish and speckled trout around Ono Island, Bayou St. John, Old River, and nearby dock lights. He breaks down how to drift live shrimp and bull minnows through the lights, when to use split shot, why some lights are worth leaving quickly, and why nighttime boating safety matters when traffic, dock lights, and shallow water all mix together. Then Capt. King Marchand of Capt. Mike's Fishing joins Butch Thierry and Joe Baya to recap an incredible swordfish trip out of Dauphin Island aboard the Lady Anne that produced six swordfish in a short window. King explains why he shifted away from a slow tuna bite, how he used historical patterns and electronics to pick his swordfish area, why holding the boat on the right piece of bottom mattered more than simply drifting, and how bait rigging, deep-water sonar, current, and crew communication all came together offshore. The episode also includes practical spring boat-prep advice from Clark Newsome and Royce Robertson with Make Wake Marine, making this a strong listen for anglers trying to stay safe, catch more fish, and get their boats ready before the summer season gets fully underway. Make Wake Marine Deep South Cranes CCA Alabama Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works Foster Contracting Black Buffalo Slip Ski Solutions Admiral Shellfish Company Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts / Realtime-Navigator McCoy Outdoor Company Ricciardone Dentistry Midway Lumber Sales Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats EMS / Endeck Camper City Mobile Pike Consulting Group LLC Community Fly Supply

Fishing is heating up across the Alabama Gulf Coast, and this week's report has a little bit of everything, from nearshore reef fish to Eastern Shore trout to surf-zone fly fishing. Capt. Spencer Kight with D.I. Reef Monster breaks down the strong vermilion snapper bite, how he is fishing efficiently with fuel prices in mind, what he is seeing on triggerfish, and why he is watching for mahi, cobia, and the start of snapper season. Capt. Lyons Bousson with Fairhope Charters gives a strong Eastern Shore report, with speckled trout, redfish, and flounder showing up around piers, plus some encouraging signs for the trout and flounder fisheries. Sam Sumlin with Community Fly Shop in Gulf Shores shares a detailed surf fly fishing report, including how to find productive beach structure, what flies and lines he is using, and why anglers may be overlooking fish right at their feet. Blakeley Ellis with CCA Alabama also joins the show to preview the 2026 STAR Tournament, including the tagged redfish division and the chance for a registered angler to win a Skeeter bay boat. SPONSORS Make Wake Marine Deep South Cranes CCA Alabama Dixie Building Supply / Baker Metal Works Foster Contracting Black Buffalo Slip Ski Solutions Admiral Shellfish Company Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts / Realtime-Navigator McCoy Outdoor Company Ricciardone Dentistry Midway Lumber Sales Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats EMS / Endeck Camper City Mobile

On this week's Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, Butch Thierry checks in with Capt. Richard Rutland, Capt. Branden Collier, and McCoy Outdoor's Chip Duepree for a packed report on a coast that seems ready to bust loose. Capt. Richard Rutland breaks down a strong inshore bite from the north end of Mobile Bay to the barrier islands, with speckled trout, redfish, and flounder showing up around bait, grass, beaches, ledges, rocks, and marsh edges. Capt. Branden Collier reports trout scattered from shallow rock lines in the bay to the barrier islands, big flounder mixed in, redfish and trout on rigs, Spanish mackerel nearshore, and an offshore bite loaded with beeliners, triggerfish, red snapper, red grouper, and other bottom fish. The episode wraps up with Chip Duepree from McCoy Outdoor, one of the show's newest sponsors, talking about McCoy's long history in Mobile and how the shop is staying stocked with the saltwater tackle, fly gear, local lures, and fishing knowledge Gulf Coast anglers need right now. SPONSORS AFTCO Make Wake Deep South Cranes Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Dixie Building Supply KillerDock Foster Contracting Gulf Coast Shows Black Buffalo Stayput Anchor Slip Ski Solutions Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts McCoy Outdoors Ricciardone Dentistry Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats ADCNR Marine Resources Division Sea Tow Shoreline Plastics Camper City Mobile Destin Boat Show

This week, we sit down with Chris Vecsey from J&M Tackle to break down how to actually target wahoo—not just catch them by accident. If you've ever picked one up trolling between spots and wondered if you could do it on purpose, this episode is for you. Chris walks through a simple, effective trolling setup that works for everyday anglers running center consoles, not just big sportfish boats. We dig into where to find wahoo closer to shore than most people think, how to read conditions like current, structure, and bait, and why slow trolling is often more effective than high-speed spreads. Chris also lays out a practical four-rod spread, gear recommendations, and small adjustments that can make a big difference in getting bites and actually landing fish. If you've ever wanted to dedicate a trip to wahoo and do it right, this episode gives you a clear starting point. SPONSORS AFTCO Deep South Cranes Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Dixie Building Supply KillerDock Foster Contracting Gulf Coast Shows Black Buffalo Stayput Anchor Slip Ski Solutions Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts McCoy Outdoors Ricciardone Dentistry Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats ADCNR Marine Resources Division Sea Tow Shoreline Plastics Camper City Mobile Destin Boat Show

This week's Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report is packed with on-the-water intel as spring patterns start to take shape across the Gulf Coast. Captain Brandon Collier breaks down how he's finding fish despite relentless wind, leaning heavily on wade fishing to read bottom structure, dial in lure profiles, and stay on moving schools of trout, redfish, and flounder. He shares a simple but effective system for narrowing down lure color and profile, along with what to look for before ever making a cast—mullet movement, bird activity, and that gut-level "fishy" feeling that tells you whether to stay or move. Captain Bobby Abruscato adds another layer, explaining why fish are still holding in the rivers longer than expected thanks to low rainfall and stable salinity, and how that's creating opportunities both upriver and out in the Sound. He walks through how to read mullet behavior to locate feeding fish, why a popping cork and shrimp setup is still one of the most effective tools this time of year, and how subtle changes in water clarity can dictate everything from lure color to location. The episode wraps with a look at the Gulf Coast Outboard Challenge, a long-format, angler-friendly tournament designed to give everyday fishermen a real shot at meaningful prize money without being limited by weather or boat size. SPONSORS AFTCO Deep South Cranes Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Dixie Building Supply KillerDock Foster Contracting Gulf Coast Shows Black Buffalo Stayput Anchor Slip Ski Solutions Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts McCoy Outdoors Ricciardone Dentistry Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats ADCNR Marine Resources Division Sea Tow Shoreline Plastics Camper City Mobile Destin Boat Show

Spring is starting to take hold along the Alabama Gulf Coast, and this week's report shows a fishery that's waking up but still shifting day to day. Capt. Jay O'Brien reports that the sheepshead bite is tapering after a strong run, with noticeable pressure on larger fish. At the same time, speckled trout are beginning their spring transition out of the rivers and onto the flats, but they're moving with the bait and changing preferences throughout the day. Matching profile and presentation has been more important than color, and staying mobile has been the difference between slow days and steady action. Off Dauphin Island, Capt. Spencer Knight is still putting together solid mixed bags by combining sheepshead limits with offshore runs for triggerfish and vermilion snapper. The bite has been consistent when conditions allow, though wind is starting to limit opportunities. His approach has been to avoid high-pressure structure, dial in depth carefully, and maximize efficiency with rigs that keep bait in the strike zone longer. From the beach and pier, Chris Vecsey reports that pompano season is underway with strong early tournament weights, but conditions are a factor. Algae has been a constant challenge in the surf, and timing has mattered, with morning bites producing the best results. East-end beaches and Perdido Pass have been leading the way, with fish holding close in the troughs and even in the wash. The episode closes with a local listener story that highlights just how much the fishery is changing. A rare snook catch along the Alabama coast underscores what more anglers have been noticing in recent years. Fish that were once considered outliers are starting to show up more often, adding another layer of intrigue to an already dynamic system. Across the board, the common thread is adjustment. Fish are feeding, but they're not locked into a single pattern yet. Anglers who are willing to move, experiment, and pay attention to bait, depth, and conditions are finding success, while those staying static are getting left behind. SPONSORS AFTCO Deep South Cranes Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Dixie Building Supply KillerDock Foster Contracting Gulf Coast Shows Black Buffalo Stayput Anchor Slip Ski Solutions Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts McCoy Outdoors Ricciardone Dentistry Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats ADCNR Marine Resources Division Sea Tow Shoreline Plastics Camper City Mobile

Spring is starting to show up in a big way along the Alabama Gulf Coast, and this week's report is packed with real-time insight from across the region. Captain Matt Swiggum with Back Bay Charters kicks things off with a run to the Chandeleur Islands, where massive schools of tailing redfish made for nonstop action in shallow, clear water. While trout were tougher to dial in, the trip revealed a lot about how bait movement, grass structure, and redfish pressure can scatter fish and change the bite. Chris Vecsey from J&M Tackle follows up with a full spring transition report from the beach, pier, and passes. Spanish mackerel have started to show up, pompano are right on the edge of turning on, and anglers are already catching big whiting and flounder. He also breaks down how to fish pompano jigs and what to look for when you're trying to find productive water along the beach. Captain Richard Rutland with Cold Blooded Fishing checks in with an update from Mobile Bay and the Mississippi Sound, helping round out the inshore picture and giving a better sense of how fish are positioning closer to home. And Captain Shane Toole adds an offshore perspective, sharing what he saw on a recent trip, including swordfish action and conditions that can help you start piecing together your next run offshore. There's also a big tournament announcement, updates on the Pomp Stomp, and a broader look at how shifting water temps are impacting everything from sheepshead to snook. If you've been waiting for that moment when spring fishing really starts to come alive, this is it. AFTCO Deep South Cranes Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Dixie Building Supply KillerDock Foster Contracting Gulf Coast Shows Black Buffalo Stayput Anchor Slip Ski Solutions Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts McCoy Outdoors Ricciardone Dentistry Coastal Brew Baits Pure Flats The Wharf Boat Show ADCNR Marine Resources Division Sea Tow Shoreline Plastics

In this episode of the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, the conversation shifts from fishing tactics to something far more important: safety on the water. Captain Tanner Deas opens the show with a heartfelt message after a recent boating accident involving a member of the local fishing community, reminding listeners that while fishing is fun, getting home safely should always come first. The episode then dives into a powerful firsthand story from Captain Larry Higgins, owner of K-Wiggler Lures, who recently survived a serious boating collision while fishing in Texas. Higgins walks through the moments leading up to the accident, the split-second decisions he had to make when another boat suddenly veered into his path, and how he was thrown from his boat during the impact. Although he suffered multiple hip fractures, he credits a working kill switch with preventing the situation from becoming fatal. From there, the hosts unpack the lessons anglers can learn from Higgins' experience. They talk about how easy it is for experienced boaters to become complacent, why simply wearing a kill switch isn't enough if it's not attached properly, and how small safety habits—like wearing a life jacket, testing equipment, and keeping communication devices accessible—can make the difference between a bad day and a tragedy. It's a sobering but important conversation that every angler should hear. The episode serves as a reminder that accidents on the water happen fast, often when you least expect them, and that taking a few extra steps before leaving the dock can save your life. SPONSORS SPONSORS CCA Alabama Dixie Supply and Baker Metalworks Killerdock Foster Contracting Gulf Coast Shows Black Buffalo Slipski Coastal Connection Fiber Plastic Hilton's Realtime Nativator McCoy Outdoor Co. Ricciardone Dentistry Coastal Brew Baits

This week on the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, Butch Thierry kicks things off with Clifton Davis, who shares how a low-tide adjustment turned into a productive inshore bite. Instead of sticking tight to the bank for redfish, Clifton freelined live shrimp in a dead-end canal with a gradual drop into deeper water and found speckled trout popping on top, leading to a strong trout box along with quality white trout and slot reds. He also explains how lighter weights, smaller hooks, and even letting mangrove snapper run with the bait before engaging the reel helped increase keeper ratios around pilings and structure. Midway through the show, co-host Joe Baya joins Butch to talk with Jim Cox about the upcoming Emerald Coast Boat and Lifestyle Show. Jim breaks down what makes the Panama City event unique, how it differs from the Wharf show in Orange Beach, and why having hundreds of boats in one place—sometimes even in the water for sea trials—can completely change the buying process. They discuss early-spring boat show incentives, the wide range of boats on display from bay boats and center consoles to pontoons, and why getting your whole family physically on a boat matters more than anything you'll read in a brochure. The episode wraps up with Captain Tanner Deas, who talks through the grind of late-winter fishing around Dauphin Island. After high winds dirtied up the surf and slowed the whiting bite, Tanner shifted to the sound side, covering ground and keying in on fish holding in five to six feet of water around seawalls and wood structure. He explains why depth has been more important than structure alone lately, how downsizing to a small, stout hook has improved hook-up ratios on sheepshead and drum, and why a little chop on the water can make all the difference when slick conditions shut everything down. SPONSORS CCA Alabama Dixie Supply and Baker Metalworks Killerdock Foster Contracting Gulf Coast Shows Black Buffalo Slipski Coastal Connection Fiber Plastic Hilton's Realtime Nativator McCoy Outdoor Co. Ricciardone Dentistry Coastal Brew Baits

In this episode of the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, host Butch Thierry delivers a wide-ranging look at winter fishing conditions along the northern Gulf Coast, touching on everything from offshore tuna runs to inshore redfish, sheepshead, and the ongoing struggle to pattern speckled trout. The show opens with a candid offshore report from Captain Brandon Collier, who details a long run on the Blackjack in pursuit of yellowfin tuna that turned into a battle with heavy boat pressure and overwhelming numbers of sharks. Although tuna were clearly present and feeding early, Collier explains how timing, crowding, and shark activity made landing a fish nearly impossible, forcing a pivot to bottom fishing on natural structure. That plan B paid off with lane snapper, porgies, and tilefish, along with a useful breakdown of how to identify productive bottom using electronics, zoom settings, and life marks before ever dropping bait. The conversation shifts inshore as Collier shares a bright spot in an otherwise tough winter, describing memorable sight-fishing trips for bull redfish and black drum along shallow flats and barrier island shorelines. Using clear water, sunshine, and elevation from kayaks, towers, or even drones, he explains how spotting dark shapes and schools is often more important than worrying about tide or temperature. He also breaks down finesse presentations with buoyant soft plastics that can be dead-sticked in shallow water, triggering bites even when anglers aren't actively working the lure. At the same time, he doesn't sugarcoat the current speckled trout bite, describing a frustrating pattern of short strikes, slaps, and non-committal fish that seem more reactive than hungry, often forcing anglers to rely on jerkbaits and treble-hook lures to convert bites. Later in the episode, Drew Giles checks in with a detailed sheepshead report, focusing on how persistent wind, low tides, and dirty water have pushed anglers to adapt. Giles explains why clean water remains the key ingredient, even if it means fishing outside the Delta or tucking in tight to protected structure near shore. He walks through subtle but important rigging adjustments, like switching from heavy jig heads to split shots and mosquito hooks to reduce hang-ups on oyster bottoms and submerged timber, while still keeping baits in the strike zone. The discussion highlights how current movement, even more than temperature, drives sheepshead feeding behavior, and why anglers should be willing to move frequently rather than grind unproductive spots. The episode wraps with Captain Shane Traylor offering a deep dive into how he's leaning on electronics to stay effective during one of the most confusing trout seasons in recent memory. Trailer explains how side scan and down imaging help him locate bait, structure, and tightly packed "football-shaped" fish marks before making a cast, especially when trout slide into deeper channels during prolonged cold snaps. He breaks down jig weights, fall rates, and bottom-oriented presentations that keep lures in front of lethargic fish, along with how he transitions from trout to redfish and sheepshead around docks, cut banks, and barnacle-covered pilings when trout refuse to cooperate. Altogether, the episode delivers an honest, boots-on-the-deck snapshot of winter fishing on the Gulf Coast, emphasizing adaptability, observation, and having a solid plan B when conditions or fish refuse to play along. SPONSORS Dixie Building Supply McCoy Outdoors CCA Alabama Ricciardone Dentistry KillerDock Foster Contracting Black Buffalo Stayput Anchor Slip Ski Solutions Coastal Connection Fiber Plastics Inc Hilton's Offshore Charts

In this episode of the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, host Butch Thierry is joined by Angelo DePaola for a winter-focused breakdown of inshore fishing conditions along the Alabama coast. The show features Sam Sumlin from Community Fly Supply in Gulf Shores, who shares fly fishing tactics for redfish and speckled trout, including dock-light fishing, line and fly selection, and how to deal with wind and spooky winter fish. Sam also offers practical advice for anglers new to fly fishing and highlights upcoming fly-tying nights and regional fly fishing events. Later, Captain Patric Garmeson of Ugly Fishing delivers an inshore update from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and surrounding tidal rivers, explaining how recent heavy rains flushed the system with freshwater and scattered trout. He breaks down how to adjust expectations, where fish tend to relocate after major river rises, and why slowing down presentations and using electronics is critical during cold, high-water conditions. The episode provides timely, actionable insight for anglers navigating rapidly changing winter patterns on Alabama's coast SPONSORS The Coastal Connection Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Works Foster Contracting KillerDock BOW Blue Water Marine Service Black Buffalo Stayput Anchor AFTCO SlipSki Solutions Saltwater Marketing Hilton's Realtime-Navigator Fiber Plastics Inc