Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report

Nick Williams
  • 4.8 (24)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

Nick Williams brings you the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report; a local, no-nonsense fishing report built for anglers who fish one of the most unique river systems in the country. Covering everything from the marshes along the Causeway to the quiet backwaters around Miller’s Ferry, the show breaks down what’s biting, where it’s happening, and how people are catching fish right now. From bass, crappie, and bream in muddy backwaters to specks and reds pushing upriver with the tides, this podcast delivers honest, on-the-water insight for anglers who know the line between salt and freshwater is always moving.

  1. Finding Bream Beds, Goggle-Eye, and Deep-Water Crappie

    6d ago

    Finding Bream Beds, Goggle-Eye, and Deep-Water Crappie

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report covers two very different but timely patterns: hot-weather panfish in the Delta and deep-water crappie on Big Creek Lake. Shannon Wood kicks things off with a report on the bluegill and goggle-eye bite as the Delta settles out from heavy rain and high water. He talks through how water level, bank height, Mayfly hatches, and full-moon timing may affect the bream bite, plus why he’s been finding goggle-eye tight to the bank on black Beetle Spins. Shannon also previews the upcoming panfish tournament out of Cliff’s Landing and explains why local bait shops like Boutwell’s Bait & Tackle and Steel Creek Bait & Tackle matter so much to the fishing community. Then Matt Frazier joins the show with a Big Creek Lake report, breaking down how he’s been catching crappie and spotted bass from a kayak since the lake partially reopened. Matt explains how he fishes deep structure in 30 to 40 feet of clear water, how he pours his own soft plastics, why Big Creek is still a strong option when the rivers are muddy, and what anglers need to know about the current access situation, rental boats, kayak use, bank fishing, and the ongoing push to reopen more of the lake. SPONSORS Dixie Building Supply Eastern Metal Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki

    1h 4m

  2. May 28

    Flounder in the Flooded Grass and Oysters in the Bay

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report starts with Justin Dunham breaking down a timely flounder pattern for anglers dealing with rain, high water, and blown-out freshwater systems. Instead of fighting muddy rivers, Justin explains how he’s been sliding into smaller coastal bayous and protected creeks where the rain has less impact, then targeting flounder along flooded marsh grass, grassy points, current seams, and subtle drop-offs. He gets into lure choice, jighead size, hook sharpness, hookup tips, why flounder often group up in small areas, and how kayak anglers can use quiet positioning and parallel casts to work high-percentage grass lines. The second half of the show shifts from fishing tactics to habitat with Dr. Kayla Boyd of Mobile Baykeeper, who explains why oysters matter far beyond the dinner plate. Kayla walks through the decline of Mobile Bay’s oyster population, how oysters filter water, protect marsh shorelines, create fish habitat, support species like sheepshead, and help stabilize the whole estuary. She also explains Mobile Baykeeper’s Oyster Keeper program, how citizen science and local knowledge are helping guide restoration work, and how anglers, waterfront homeowners, and volunteers can help rebuild oyster reefs across the bay. SPONSORS Dixie Building Supply Eastern Metal Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki

    1h 17m
  3. Muddy Water Crappie, Bream Beds, and the Future of the Tensaw

    May 20

    Muddy Water Crappie, Bream Beds, and the Future of the Tensaw

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report covers a little bit of everything happening across the Delta, from a strong crappie bite around Hubbard’s Landing to bream finally pulling up in more predictable places. Dip McMillian of Dippi Outdoors joins the show after picking up his first tournament win and explains how stained water, structure, side scan, and the “Dippi Tensaw Special” helped him find quality crappie when other anglers might have struggled. Darren Shirah of Reel Time Outdoors with Darren checks in with a bass and bream report, including why bass may be hanging around bluegill beds and how crabs, catfish, hogs, and even horse flies all fit into life on the Delta this time of year. To close the show, Meagan Fowler of Friends of the Tensaw River gives an update on the grassroots effort to protect the Tensaw watershed and explains why proposed industrial solar developments have become such a major local issue for anglers, hunters, and river communities. SPONSORS Dixie Building Supply Eastern Metal Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki

    1h 19m
  4. Falling Water, Feeding Catfish: How to Run Limb Lines in the Delta

    May 15

    Falling Water, Feeding Catfish: How to Run Limb Lines in the Delta

    On this week’s episode of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report, Josh Gunter of Mt. Vernon Outdoors and Steele Creek Bait and Tackle joins the show to talk about why falling water can make this one of the best times of the year to catch catfish in the Delta. Josh explains how floodwater pulls bugs, bait, and fish out of the woods and concentrates catfish around ditches, creek mouths, current breaks, and bank lines. He also breaks down the practical side of running limb lines, bank poles, jugs, and vertical trot lines, including where to set them, how much weight to use, what baits work best, and why fresh shad, bluegill, goldfish, crawfish, shrimp, and even beef heart all have their place. The conversation also gets into trotline safety, running lines at night, dealing with boat traffic, avoiding wasps and wildlife trouble, and why wearing a life jacket and using a kill switch matter when you’re working the river after dark. For anglers looking to fill a freezer, introduce kids to fishing, or better understand how catfish use the Delta when the water falls, this episode is a hands-on guide to one of the region’s most traditional and effective ways to fish. SPONSORS Dixie Building Supply Eastern Metal Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki

    58 min
  5. Bluegill, Bass, and the Lost Art of the Jigger Pole

    May 8

    Bluegill, Bass, and the Lost Art of the Jigger Pole

    This week on the Mobile Tensaw Delta Fishing Report, Nick Williams talks with Darren Shirah of Reel Time Outdoors with Darren about rainy-day fishing, the current bluegill bite, and why a little rough weather does not have to ruin a trip in the Delta. Darren explains how he fishes through scattered showers, what makes certain rainy days productive, and why bream, shellcracker, bass, and goggle-eye can still be caught when most folks stay home. The episode also turns into a great discussion of old-school Delta fishing tactics, especially jigger pole fishing for bass. Darren breaks down what a jigger pole is, how he rigs it, where he fishes it, and why topwater bites around cypress trees, deadfalls, and bank cover can be so violent when the conditions line up. Along the way, Nick and Darren talk fish fries, cleaning bream, fishing traditions, fly rods, splatting bugs, and why the best fishing methods are often the ones that are simply fun. SPONSORS Dixie Building Supply Eastern Metal Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki

    49 min
  6. Bluegill on Bed and the Mayfly Hatch Ahead

    May 1

    Bluegill on Bed and the Mayfly Hatch Ahead

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report is all about that spring window when the Delta starts to feel almost too good to be true. Peter Jordan joins the show to help unpack a memorable backwater canoe trip where the bluegill bite was so strong it shut down the original plan of chasing bowfin, and the conversation turns into a bigger look at fishing pressure, overlooked backwaters, fly rod setups, popper-dropper rigs, canoes, alligator gar, and why small, hard-to-reach places can show what the Delta is really capable of. Shannon Woods keeps the bluegill theme rolling with a report from the bream tournament scene, including fish on bed, the role of rain, worms versus crickets, where to look for shellcracker, and why the upcoming mayfly hatch could be the next big thing to watch. Then John-Michael Chappelle of Chappelle Excursions rounds out the episode with a wider look at the Delta’s plants, birds, wildlife, and natural history, reminding anglers that the same habitat producing great fishing also supports everything from brown pelicans and wild rice to manatees, dolphins, and alligator snapping turtles.

    2h 5m
  7. Rising Tides, Reopened Lakes, and a Near-Win on the Delta

    Apr 23

    Rising Tides, Reopened Lakes, and a Near-Win on the Delta

    Spring is hitting its stride on the Mobile-Tensaw, and this week’s report is packed with real-time insight from anglers who’ve been on the water. Justin Dunnam breaks down a near-win kayak tournament on Bay Minette Creek, where a rising tide, backwater ponds, and missed frog strikes made the difference between first and third. He shares exactly how he approached pressured water and why timing the tide mattered more than location. Matthew Frazier gives a major update on Big Creek Lake, which just reopened after a long and controversial closure. He walks through what access looks like right now, what’s still being fought over, and what anglers can expect if they plan to fish it this weekend. Dip McMillian rounds things out with a strong crappie report from the Tensaw side, where post-spawn fish are stacking tight to structure in 6 to 10 feet of water. He explains how he’s finding them, why he’s ignoring suspended fish, and the exact jig setup that’s producing right now. If you’re trying to figure out where the bite is, how spring patterns are shifting, or what changing conditions mean for your next trip, this one’s worth your time. SPONSORS Dixie Building Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki

    1h 5m
  8. From Bream Beds to Flounder Fillets: A Full Delta Report

    Apr 16

    From Bream Beds to Flounder Fillets: A Full Delta Report

    This episode of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report captures a spring pattern that’s right on the edge of breaking wide open across the Delta. Host Nick Williams is joined first by Darren Shirah, who paints a clear picture of what’s happening on the freshwater side. Crappie are mostly wrapping up their spawn, while bluegill and other bream species are staging for the next full moon push. Goggle-eye fishing is already strong—especially around wood—and within the next couple weeks, everything should start firing at once. Darren gets into the practical side too, from how to locate beds to why covering water is often more effective than overthinking it, along with a reminder that pressure and overharvest can quietly erase even the best spots over time. The conversation then shifts gears with Jimmy Styles, who brings a broader perspective on what makes the Delta so unique. From turtle diversity to snake safety, Jimmy connects the dots between fishing and the bigger ecological picture, making the case that understanding the place you fish—its wildlife, habitats, and seasonal rhythms—ultimately makes you a better outdoorsman. It’s a reminder that the Delta isn’t just productive water, it’s one of the most biologically rich systems in the country. To round things out, Brenton Grace with Hooked Up By The Bay checks in from the causeway with a mixed-bag report that highlights one of the Delta’s biggest advantages. Flounder are just starting to show, with a few solid keepers hinting that the main push is close, while anglers are still able to bounce into crappie and even early speckled trout and redfish. It’s that classic Mobile-Tensaw scenario—one trip, multiple fisheries, and a cooler that can end up looking pretty diverse if you play it right. Across all three conversations, the theme is the same: stable conditions, warming water, and a fishery that’s about to hit its stride. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to lean in, it’s getting close. SPONSORS Dixie Building Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki

    1h 23m
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4.8
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Nick Williams brings you the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report; a local, no-nonsense fishing report built for anglers who fish one of the most unique river systems in the country. Covering everything from the marshes along the Causeway to the quiet backwaters around Miller’s Ferry, the show breaks down what’s biting, where it’s happening, and how people are catching fish right now. From bass, crappie, and bream in muddy backwaters to specks and reds pushing upriver with the tides, this podcast delivers honest, on-the-water insight for anglers who know the line between salt and freshwater is always moving.

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