February 13, 2026

Winter Weirdness: Small Baits, Big Reds, and Scattered Trout

1 hour 23 minutes

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.