FISHING CHARTERS
MOBILE BAY INSHORE FISHING
About The Mobile Bay Estuary
Mobile Bay covers 413 square miles providing an abundance of inshore fishing opportunities. The estuary starts where the Mobile and Tensaw Rivers empty into the bay and goes south 31 miles to the entrance of the Gulf of America. Several rivers including: Fowl, Deer and Dog Rivers on the western shore and Fish, Magnolia, and Bon Secour Rivers on the eastern shore empty into Mobile Bay. Each offer their own unique beauty and fishing experience.
Mobile Bay is the 4th largest estuary and part of the most diverse artificial reef program in the United States. These reefs help maintain a healthy fishery and provide anglers with productive areas where they can target numerous species of fish.
Mobile Bay is considered brackish water because of the influx of both salt and fresh water. Near the rivers, anglers can catch fresh and salt water species from the same boat launch. Anglers have to consider several variables when planning a Mobile Bay Charter. Tides, water salinity, water temperatures, weather and the increasing boat traffic all influence your success. Water salinity changes based on tidal movement and the volumes of fresh water the connecting rivers empty into the bay. Speckled Trout are skittish by nature and too much boat and jet ski traffic can literally shut down fishing in a matter of minutes. Our Mobile Bay Charter Guides understand these nuances and make the adjustments necessary to locate and catch fish year-round.
Conservation efforts in the Mobile Bay Estuary are important to maintain a healthy inshore fishery. Mobile Bay Adventures adheres to Alabama’s creel regulations. However, we encourage inshore anglers to release speckled trout exceeding 20 inches and redfish exceeding 26 inches in length, whenever possible. We promote “catch and release.” Your guide will capture high-resolution pictures of your catch which will last you and your family a life time. If your catch is intended for a delicious meal, your guide will gladly clean and package your catch.
Spring & Fall Fishing
In the Spring and Fall the Speckled Trout are moving either up or down the bay adjusting to Winter water temperatures. Many anglers prefer Mobile Bay Charters in the Spring and Fall because outside temperatures are comfortable, and anglers can fish throughout the estuary. September through early November, fish move north from the Barrier Islands to deeper columns up in the rivers.
It’s the complete opposite late March through May as the fish move south from the rivers back to the warming bay waters and Gulf of America. It is quite common for Mobile Bay Charters to catch their limits in just a couple hours casting to large schools coming in or exiting the mouths of any of the connecting rivers.
Winter Fishing
December through March are our coldest months. Speckled Trout can be found gathered at various depths in the deeper columns of the rivers. Redfish can be found on the bottom and on drop offs along the sandbars and river banks.
Fish become lethargic in cold water so anglers have to fish entirely different. Local “live” shrimp are difficult to find so anglers usually have to rely on artificial baits which we provide on all Mobile Bay Charters. Mobile Bay winter fishing has days where highs reach the lower 60's so battling frigid temperatures isn't an issue. These are ideal days to be out on the water fishing with Mobile Bay Adventures.
Summer Fishing
June through August are our warmest months of the year. Anglers can catch speckled trout or redfish using both artificial and “live” bait. “Live” bait is plentiful and often more effective in the summer months. In the early morning and late afternoon, casting topwater plugs can produce a lot of action, especially in the shallows as fish move in to feed. In July and August as water temperatures reach their peak, fish move into the cooler, deeper water columns in the bay, ship channels and oyster reefs in 10-14 feet of water.
Our Mobile Bay Charters can also target “trophy” Speckled Trout free lining “live” hand-size croakers in the deeper water columns. It’s common for trips focusing on quality verse quantity to land 6-10 lb Speckled Trout. Summer also offers excellent wade fishing opportunities in Mobile Bay and the Mississippi sound. We wade fish grass beds, oyster reefs and sand bars in early morning and late afternoon charters in Navy Cove, Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island and the Mississippi Sound. It’s pure adrenaline standing waist deep watching a Speckled Trout explode on your top water lure.
Mobile Bay Adventures offers Nearshore, Gulf of America Fishing Charters (up to 9 miles from the beaches) from Orange Beach all the way to far west-end Dauphin Island targeting numerous fish species. We provide all gear for trolling with outriggers, flat-lines, casting and bottom fishing. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manage these waters and you can view regulations, creel limits and purchase licenses at their website outdooralabama.com.
NEARSHORE FISHING
POPULAR NEARSHORE CHARTERS
Bull Reds
Bull Reds – Redfish over 26 inches are referred to as BULL REDS. We offer “catch and release” Bull Red Charter Trips year-round. These trips are fun and exciting because the fish average between 12lbs and 30lbs and put up an excellent fight using medium to light tackle. Landing Bull Reds in the strong currents from changing tides can challenge even experienced anglers.
Our Bull Red Charters drift across the sand bars at the mouth of Mobile Bay around Fort Morgan and Sand Island and points along the ship channel with both “live” and artificial bait. We also troll the beaches sight fishing for schools of Bull Reds casting “live” pin fish under diving birds.
Mackerel
Mackerel – Trolling the beaches for Spanish and King Mackerel is an ideal family affair. Spanish run about 3 lbs and smaller and King Mackerel close to the shoreline run about 10lbs making this species an ideal charter for kids. The boat is always in motion so it’s much easier to keep them entertained when manning the lines.
These species are not only fun to catch, they make for a perfect afternoon fish fry! Unlike other species, mackerel do have sharp teeth, so we troll metal leaders with spoons, straws and skirts and for larger Kings (up to 40lbs) in deeper waters with a skirted cigar minnow. We use outriggers on these Nearshore Charters and troll with 6 active lines.
