Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report

This week on the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, we're digging into early spring patterns across the Gulf Coast, and there's a lot starting to take shape if you're paying attention.

Butch Thierry and Dylan Kiene kick things off with Captain Tanner Deas of Dauphin Island Fishing Charters, who's been dialed in on a strong sheepshead bite around nearshore structure. Tanner breaks down how small differences in docks, rocks, and current seams are holding fish right now, why crabs are dramatically outfishing shrimp, and how anglers can still put together big numbers even from shore when conditions keep them off the rigs.

From there, they talk with Sam Sumlin of Community Fly Shop in Gulf Shores, who's been exploring the backwaters and finding one of the most unique bites we've heard in a while. From big river trout to a 20-plus pound striped bass and even snook showing up in the same systems, Sam walks through how he's approaching these mixed-bag fisheries on fly, what he's seeing with bait movement, and how to fish structure and bank lines when you truly don't know what might eat next.

They wrap things up with Captain King Marchand of Capt. Mike's Fishing, where the offshore action has been just as strong. Swordfish success, yellowfin tuna, and solid bottom fishing closer to shore all point to a wide-open spring if the weather lines up.

Between delayed trout movement, aggressive sheepshead spawning behavior, and some wild multi-species opportunities popping up inshore, this is one of those weeks where staying flexible might be the difference between a slow trip and one you won't forget.

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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

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

Spring is starting to show up along the Alabama Gulf Coast, and with it comes some of the most exciting seasonal fishing patterns of the year. In this week's Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, host Butch Thierry checks in with guides and anglers across the region to break down what's happening on the water right now.

Captain Bobby Abruscato of A-Team Fishing reports that speckled trout are beginning their seasonal transition out of the rivers as water temperatures climb into the low 60s. While many fish are staging near the mouths of tidal rivers, some of the biggest trout are still holding farther up the system on shallow flats and channel edges.

Over on the beach and pier scene, Sean Lawless of The Lawless Tide shares a strong sheepshead report from Gulf State Park Pier, where anglers are catching fish from shallow sections all the way to the end of the pier. Ghost shrimp on small jigheads have been especially effective, often outperforming traditional baits like fiddler crabs and live shrimp.

Captain Ben Knight with Great Southern Fishing Charters adds that the sheepshead spawn is firing up around passes, bridges, and jetties along the coast, with big fish staging on nearshore structure. He also discusses nighttime redfish opportunities around dock lights and bridges, along with a few important reminders about fishing etiquette and responsible harvest during these seasonal congregations.

If you're planning a trip to the Alabama coast this week, this episode will help you understand where the fish are moving, what they're eating, and how to take advantage of one of the most dynamic fishing periods of the year.

SPONSORS

CCA Alabama

AL DCNR

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, 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's Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report covers a fishery that's in full transition mode. After wild swings in weather, from 80-degree afternoons to freezing mornings, Captain Patric Garmeson reports that the fishing has actually been better than you'd expect for late February. On warming trends, fish are sliding shallow and acting more like it's spring already, with redfish, trout, flounder, drum, and sheepshead all showing up in the mix. When conditions turn windy and cold, the rivers and protected water are still producing, especially around docks, rocks, and pilings.

One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation is the importance of being reactionary. The fish are simply responding to water temperature, clarity, and pressure, so anglers need to do the same. Patric shares a tactic he picked up from the Lower Chesapeake Bay report that's made a real difference locally: downsizing tackle. By switching to lighter braid, lighter leaders, and small jig heads paired with subtle plastics like the Slick Junior and Little Slick, he's been able to get more bites in clear, pressured water. When trout are suspended in deeper systems like canals and the Mobile River, a slow-sinking presentation—whether it's a free-lined shrimp or a lightly weighted artificial—has been key.

Bait-wise, live shrimp are still effective, but fresh dead shrimp have been surprisingly productive, especially for redfish, drum, and flounder. With flounder showing up consistently across multiple systems since January, there's growing optimism about what the spring flounder bite might look like.

As sheepshead season ramps up, the conversation shifts toward conservation. Patric emphasizes the value of releasing fish over 20 inches, not just during the spawn but year-round. Those larger fish represent significantly greater egg production and long-term genetic strength in the fishery. The "Release Over 20" mindset isn't about shaming anyone; it's about keeping a strong population for the future while still enjoying a fish fry with mid-sized fish.

Offshore, Tom Hilton breaks down what to look for when targeting wahoo and tuna. Ideal wahoo water ranges from the upper 60s to mid-70s, with clean blue water, defined temperature breaks, structure, and current all stacking together. Areas near the Destin fads, the Oriskany, and along the shelf edge show promising conditions when those factors overlap. Tuna, as always, remain harder to pin down, but temperature, bait presence, and current remain central to the search.

The episode wraps with a reminder about the upcoming Mobile Boat Show and opportunities to get involved in fish tagging through CCA Alabama. A cool tagging story highlights just how much growth and movement can happen over 500 days in the life of a redfish, reinforcing how valuable long-term data can be.

Overall, this report is about adaptability. Whether you're inshore chasing trout and sheepshead or offshore hunting wahoo, the anglers who pay attention to environmental shifts and adjust accordingly are the ones finding success right now.

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

This week on the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, Captain Tanner Deas fills in and checks in offshore with Captain Chris Vecsey for a trip that turned into a serious meat haul. What started as a tuna plan shifted to targeting a strong temp break near the Spur, where they boxed three solid wahoo on deep-diving plugs. After the troll slowed down, they pivoted again and quickly hooked up on swordfish in 1,500-plus feet, landing a 100-pound-class fish and proving the value of reading electronics and staying flexible.

Inshore, Captain Richard Rutland breaks down a strange, dry winter that has left fish scattered and inconsistent across Mobile Bay and the rivers. Trout have been keyed in on smaller-profile baits like the Slick Junior, with subtle retrieves and lighter jig heads outperforming bigger, flashier presentations. They also talk about how slick-calm days can make shallow fish spooky, why a little wind can help, and how the bull redfish bite on the south end of the bay has been heating up.

From pelagic pivots offshore to fine-tuning winter trout patterns inshore, this episode is all about adjusting on the fly. If you're fishing this warm trend and trying to stay ahead of changing conditions, there's plenty here to sharpen your approach.

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

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 in the studio by Dylan Kiene and welcomes Gabe Tidmore and Captain Matt Swiggum for a deep dive into the recent Winter Classic tournament and the challenging winter conditions along Alabama's coast. The conversation centers on how rapidly changing weather, strong winds, and dramatic water level swings reshaped fish positioning from one day to the next, forcing anglers to constantly adapt their game plans. Much of the discussion focuses on how trout and redfish behaved during the event, why bites were often subtle or resulted in short strikes, and how pressure and unstable conditions made even well-scouted areas difficult to fish consistently.

The group breaks down practical lessons learned on the water, including the importance of slowing presentations, adjusting cadence, and experimenting with lure profiles when fish refuse to fully commit. They compare notes on what worked across different parts of the system, from deeper 10–12 foot holding areas to shallow structure affected by wind-driven current. Lure selection, color confidence, and profile changes all come into play, with anglers explaining how they rotated baits to trigger reaction strikes while avoiding overworking schools during scouting and tournament hours.

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to tournament strategy, including managing five-fish bags, knowing when to stay put versus when to move, and how the Winter Classic's staggered flight system added an extra layer of planning to each day. The anglers also share hard-earned insights on electronics use, reading bait behavior, and recognizing when fish are present but simply not feeding. The show wraps with a detailed discussion on fish care and livewell management, highlighting how proper salinity, aeration, and additives can make the difference between losing fish and earning valuable live-fish bonuses. Overall, the episode delivers a candid, experience-driven look at winter tournament fishing and offers plenty of actionable takeaways for anglers dealing with cold fronts, high winds, and finicky coastal fish.

SPONSORS

Dixie Building Supply

KillerDock

Foster Contracting

Black Buffalo

Stayput Anchor

Saltwater Marketing

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