Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report

Nick Williams
  • 4.8 (25)
  • 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. 6d ago

    How Heavy Rain Changes Delta Fishing

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report looks at what Hurricane Isaias could mean for the Delta just as the fall bite was starting to set up. Nick Williams opens the show with a reminder that cooler weather often comes with a price on the Gulf Coast, and this week that price is more rain, higher water, and changing conditions from the upper Delta down to the Causeway. Dip McMillan of Dippie Outdoors kicks things off with a look at the upper Delta, where crappie fishing was just about to turn on before the latest round of storms. Dip explains that water temperatures were dropping into a better range, the fall pattern was beginning to take shape, and fish were getting close to stacking up on structure in 6 to 10 feet of water. But with more heavy rain coming, he expects muddy water, stronger current, and higher river levels to slow things down for a while. He stresses safety first, especially when logs, debris, and heavy current make running the rivers risky, and suggests anglers be patient until the water falls, clears, and stabilizes again. Dip also gives an update on Dippie Outdoors, including recent giveaways, upcoming youth-focused events, and the annual squirrel hunt at Hubbard’s Landing on December 5. He and Nick talk about why getting kids into the Delta matters, especially when many local kids have only seen the swamp from the interstate or the Causeway. For Dip, the squirrel hunt is about more than hunting. It is a chance to show young people big cypress trees, backwater habitat, and the beauty of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta up close. Then Capt. Patric Garmeson of Ugly Fishing joins the show for a lower Delta and Causeway report focused on how tropical rain, river levels, salinity, and bait movement affect speckled trout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, black drum, and bass. Patric explains why the storm track matters so much, especially whether heavy rain falls across the upper Mobile Bay watershed or stays more local. A quick-moving storm with only a few inches of rain may not hurt fishing too badly, but a slow system dumping heavy rain upstate could freshen Mobile Bay, raise river levels, muddy the water, and make trout fishing difficult for weeks. Patric also breaks down how to fish the Causeway if conditions hold together. He explains why fish have been moving daily, why reports from yesterday may not always help today, and why anglers should look for bait, clamshell beds, salinity swings, and productive tide windows rather than getting locked into one spot. He shares tips on finding shell bottom, using rattle traps as “clue finders,” and targeting trout, redfish, flounder, and bass with Slick Juniors, artificial shrimp, Z-Man PaddlerZ, popping corks, live shrimp, bull minnows, and cast-net bait. The episode closes with a practical reminder that the Delta is right on the edge of one of its best mixed-bag windows, but the next few days of weather will decide how quickly that bite comes back. SPONSORS Boutwell Bait and Tackle Southern Cypress Bait and Tackle Dixie Building Supply Killerdock Black Buffalo SlipSki Millennium Marine

    How Heavy Rain Changes Delta Fishing

  2. Oct 1

    Darren Shirah and Josh Gunter on the Fall Delta Bite

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report covers the first real taste of fall in the Delta, with cooler mornings, better boat weather, bluegill, bass, crappie, shrimp, redfish, jack crevalle, and the beginning of the inshore transition. Nick Williams opens the show with an update on getting his jon boat back in shape with a new motor, taking the family out on the water, and looking ahead to the part of the year when fishing, hunting, crabbing, hogs, and cooler weather all start to overlap. Darren Shirah of Reel Time Outdoors with Darren kicks things off with a mixed Delta report focused on bluegill, bass, crappie, and old-school rough fish tactics. Darren explains that bluegill are beginning to bunch up around points, creek mouths, small drops, and shallow structure as the water cools and days get shorter. The size has not fully turned on yet, but he is starting to see better-quality bream show up, especially in the creeks and in parts of the interior Delta that had been quiet most of the year. Darren also reports that bass are biting well, though most of his recent fish have been smaller. He has been catching them on June bug worms, purple worms, speed craws, and other simple Delta staples rather than shrimp imitations, partly because there are so many live shrimp in the system right now. He also shares encouraging crappie signs, including fish showing up shallower around structure and hitting beetle spins. The conversation takes a fun turn into buffalo carp, cane poles, dog food chum, gold hooks, carp ribs, mullet fishing, and the old-school ways people used to make use of just about everything they caught. Then Josh Gunter of Steele Creek Bait & Tackle checks in with an update on the shrimp-driven fall transition. Josh says shrimp are everywhere right now, including places where people might not expect to find them, and that bass, crappie, and inshore fish are all keying in on the same food source. The abundance of bait has made the fishing a little more mobile, with anglers having to move from school to school and focus on active points, cuts, flats, lily pad edges, and other places where shrimp are moving through. Josh also reports strong salinity, live shrimp availability, hot DOA shrimp colors, jack crevalle showing up in the rivers, and a building sense that the river and Causeway fishing is right on the edge of breaking wide open. The coming rain may slow things briefly, but with so much salt in the system and big tides pushing water around, Josh expects the bite to bounce back quickly. The episode closes with the sense that the Delta is entering one of its best windows of the year, when anglers can leave the ramp with shrimp, artificial lures, or a fly rod and realistically run into bass, bream, crappie, redfish, speckled trout, jacks, and more in the same general system. SPONSORS Boutwell Bait and Tackle Southern Cypress Bait and Tackle Dixie Building Supply Killerdock Black Buffalo SlipSki Millennium Marine

    Darren Shirah and Josh Gunter on the Fall Delta Bite

  3. Sep 24

    Cool Creeks and Deep Grass: Late-Summer Delta Fishing

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report covers late-summer creek fishing, blackwater rivers, fly fishing, family-friendly wading trips, Big Creek Lake bass, crappie, and kayak fishing. Nick Williams opens the show with a recap of taking a local DCNR biologist out for his first moorhen hunt in the lower Delta, then shifts into a recent blackwater creek trip with Peter Jordan that turned into one of the most relaxing fishing days of the year. Peter breaks down why shaded, tea-stained blackwater rivers can be such good late-summer fishing options. Cooler groundwater, sandy bottoms, canopy cover, flowing water, and deep holes create thermal refuge for spotted bass, bluegill, and other creek fish when the Delta proper is still brutally hot. He explains how to fish these creeks with fly rods or conventional tackle, including small topwater bugs, terrestrial patterns, streamers, hellgrammite patterns, crawfish imitations, small spinnerbaits, Mepps-style spinners, and crankbaits. The key is reading current breaks, laydowns, holes, and shaded structure, then covering water quickly until you find willing fish. Nick and Peter also talk about why these creeks are such good places to introduce kids to fishing and the outdoors. Clear, shallow water, firm sandy bottoms, cooler temperatures, swimming holes, dip nets, minnows, bugs, and easy-access fish make them less intimidating than the Delta swamp, especially for young kids. Peter also stresses catch-and-release in these lower-biomass creeks and reminds anglers that exploring and loving these places is one of the best ways to build the desire to protect them. Then Matt Frazier joins the show with a Big Creek Lake report, where bass and crappie have been moving deeper into 20 to 40 feet of water as summer hangs on. Matt explains how bass are schooling, how crappie are still producing limits, and how hydrilla, ledges, Carolina rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, neutral-colored soft plastics, and deep grass all factor into the current pattern. He also talks about adapting to kayak fishing on such a big lake, using fish bags instead of stringers, and why the coldest days of the year can be some of his favorite times to fish Big Creek. SPONSORS Boutwell Bait and Tackle Southern Cypress Bait and Tackle Dixie Building Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki Millennium Marine

    Cool Creeks and Deep Grass: Late-Summer Delta Fishing

  4. Sep 17

    Josh Gunter on the Delta’s Fall Shift

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report looks at the fall transition taking shape across the Delta, from cooler mornings and new hunting licenses to flounder, shrimp, crabs, white trout, squirrel hunting, and boat-season prep. Nick Williams opens the show with a quick reminder for anglers and hunters to renew their licenses and get familiar with Alabama’s new DCNR licensing system, then checks in with Josh Gunter of Steele Creek Bait & Tackle about what he’s seeing as summer finally starts to loosen its grip. Josh reports that the inshore transition is starting, but the bigger speckled trout and redfish have not fully pushed north yet. Shrimp numbers have been strong, flounder reports have been excellent, and legal mangrove snapper are still showing up around structure in the Mobile River, but hot water has kept the fall bite from really breaking loose. He and Nick also talk through why this has been an odd year for bream and crappie, how cooler weather may reset the fishing, and why white trout stacking up in the river should soon provide one of the easiest kid-friendly bites of the season. The conversation also branches into the outdoor opportunities that make this time of year so good in the Delta. Nick and Josh talk squirrel hunting, early teal reports, hog hunting from the boat, crabbing with hand lines, dip nets, rod-and-reel crab rigs, and even hookless crab trotlines. They also cover practical safety and preparation, including spare clothes, fire-starting gear, getting back into a boat after falling overboard, checking batteries and fuel systems, winterizing boats, and why now is a smart time to get maintenance done before hunting and fall fishing seasons get busy. The episode wraps with a broader appreciation for the strange, local character of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta fishery, from counting minnows instead of weighing them to Snagless Sallys, sideways automatic fly reels, glow bugs, bull bream, and the mix of freshwater, brackish, and saltwater opportunities available within a short drive of Mobile and Baldwin County. SPONSORS Boutwell Bait and Tackle Southern Cypress Bait and Tackle Dixie Building Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki Millennium Marine

    Josh Gunter on the Delta’s Fall Shift

  5. Sep 11

    Snook in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta?

    This special episode of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report turns the show over to Butch Thierry of the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report and Joe Baya of the Northwest Florida Fishing Report for a conversation about snook showing up along the northern Gulf Coast. Once thought of mainly as a South Florida fish, snook are now being reported more often around Mobile Bay, Fowl River, Fish River, Perdido Pass, the Emerald Coast, and other waters that many local anglers never associated with the species. Butch and Joe are joined by Zoe Hendrickson, a PhD student at the University of South Alabama working with Dr. Charlie Martin in the Estuarine Ecology Lab. Zoe explains how snook have expanded northward in Florida, how similar patterns may now be developing in Alabama and Northwest Florida, and why warmer winters, shorter cold snaps, river systems, deep holes, and other thermal refuge areas may be helping these fish survive. She also discusses what researchers still need to learn, including where local snook go during cold weather, whether they are becoming true residents, and how anglers can help by reporting sightings and tagged fish. The conversation also covers snook biology, including their tolerance for fresh and salt water, their use of rivers as juveniles, their movement toward jetties, flats, and estuaries as adults, and the fact that they can change sex as they grow. Zoe, Butch, and Joe also talk through current harvest regulations, why many anglers may want to release northern Gulf snook while the population is still developing, and what this new fishery could mean for the future of fishing in Mobile Bay, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, and nearby Gulf Coast waters. SPONSORS Boutwell Bait and Tackle Southern Cypress Bait and Tackle Dixie Building Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki Millennium Marine

    Snook in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta?

  6. Sep 4

    Kayak Slams, Creek Bream, and Early Fall in the Delta

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report covers the first hints of fall in the Delta, kayak tournament fishing, creek bream, crappie, hog hunting, and old-school ways to enjoy the water. Nick Williams opens the show with a late-summer update as mornings finally start to feel a little more bearable, then checks in with Justin Dunnam of Eight Mile Drifter after his two-day Saltwater Fin Addicts tournament. Justin breaks down how he put together a strong inshore slam from the kayak, including redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. He talks through fishing marsh islands, current-swept creek mouths, industrial canal structure, dock lights, topwater baits, twitch baits, and bottom-hopped soft plastics. He also discusses how flounder numbers seem to be improving, why kayak motors can make a major difference during long tournament days, and why he’s starting to think harder about adding one to his own setup. Then Darren Shirah of Reel Time Outdoors with Darren joins the show for a late-summer Delta report focused on bream, small bass, creek fishing, oddball natural baits, and the coming shift toward fall hunting. Darren explains why he’s been finding more fish back in cooler creeks and side branches rather than out in the middle of the Delta, and he shares a fun old-school bait conversation covering roaches, maggots, wasp larvae, tadpoles, mulberries, green sunfish, goggle-eye, and catfish around bird roosts. The episode closes with a practical discussion on early-season hog hunting, keeping meat cool in warm weather, river camping, taking kids outdoors, and why sometimes the simplest creek-bank adventures are still the best ones. SPONSORS Boutwell Bait and Tackle Southern Cypress Bait and Tackle Dixie Building Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki Millennium Marine

    Kayak Slams, Creek Bream, and Early Fall in the Delta

  7. Aug 28

    Kids Fishing, Creek Crappie, and Delta Storytelling

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report covers late-summer crappie, kayak fishing, upcoming tournaments, and the storytelling work behind Mobile Baykeeper’s Currents magazine. Nick Williams opens the show with a reminder that pop-up thunderstorms are still a serious concern for anglers, especially anyone running small boats across open water during late-afternoon summer storms. Dip McMillian with Dippi Outdoors kicks things off with a recap of the Dippie Outdoors kids fishing tournament at Hubbard’s Landing, where nearly 140 kids showed up, plenty of fish hit the scales, and every child went home with a rod and reel, gift bag, and bonus prize. Dip also breaks down the current crappie bite, explaining why anglers need to cover water, fish multiple depths, and keep moving until they find active fish. Even with water temperatures still in the 90s, fish have been caught anywhere from two feet to eight feet of water, with some holding on structure and others roaming. He also previews Dippie Outdoors’ upcoming youth hunting season, including dove hunts, deer hunts, pheasant hunts, and more opportunities to get kids outdoors. Then Justin “Eight Mile Drifter” Dunnam joins the show to talk kayak fishing, fall tournaments, and getting back on the water after a busy summer. Justin discusses upcoming Mobtown Kayak Bass Fishing and Saltwater Fin Addicts tournaments, then digs into creek crappie tactics, small soft plastics, deep bends, slack water, treetops, and how to find fish without electronics. He and Nick also talk through kayak rigging, tackle storage, tethering gear, keeping rods angled down around limbs, and why older, lighter kayaks still make a lot of sense for tight creeks, swamps, and backwater Delta fishing. To close it out, Nick talks with Caine O’Rear of Mobile Baykeeper about Currents magazine and the value of telling stories from the Mobile Bay and Mobile-Tensaw Delta watershed. Caine shares his background as a writer and editor, including his time with American Songwriter in Nashville, and talks about returning to Mobile, reconnecting with the water, and helping Mobile Baykeeper publish stories that blend conservation, culture, fishing, history, and local voices. The conversation highlights why print storytelling still matters, how Currents gives readers a deeper look at the people and places tied to Coastal Alabama’s waterways, and why anglers have an important role in shaping the future of the Delta. SPONSORS Boutwell Bait and Tackle Southern Cypress Bait and Tackle Dixie Building Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki Millennium Marine

    Kids Fishing, Creek Crappie, and Delta Storytelling

  8. Aug 20

    Shrimp-Fed Bass and Shallow-Water Bowfin

    This week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report covers dog-days Delta fishing, from shrimp-driven bass action to shallow-water bowfin in extreme heat. Nick Williams opens the show with a late-summer update as heat advisories continue across the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, but small signs of fall begin showing up with rice, deer movement, teal thoughts, and cooler mornings hopefully not too far away. Darren Shirah of Reel Time Outdoors with Darren kicks things off with a bass and mixed inshore report from the lower Delta and Mobile River side. Darren explains how bass are starting to stack up around points, wood, root balls, laydowns, grass edges, and current breaks as shrimp push into the system. He breaks down how he’s using DOA Shrimp, purple worms, and other soft plastics to pick off fish from key pieces of cover, and why he moves quickly instead of fishing long stretches of bank. Darren also talks through brackish-water opportunities for redfish, croakers, hardheads, speckled trout, flounder, and mixed freshwater-saltwater action from the Mobile River to Weeks Bay and Magnolia River. Then Dave Middleton of BassCatLilDave joins the show with a strong bowfin report after winning a local grinnel tournament near Hubbard’s Landing. Dave explains how he and his partner found more than 20 bowfin feeding in shallow, hot, low-oxygen water off Stiggins Lake, including an eight-and-a-half-pound tournament winner caught in just a foot of water. He breaks down why scented worms, crawfish spray, hard hooksets, bubbles, shallow sloughs, and stealthy boat positioning can all matter when targeting bowfin in August. The episode closes with a reminder that even when the summer bass bite slows down, bowfin, gar, redfish, and other tough Delta species can still give anglers a reason to get out and fish. SPONSORS Boutwell Bait and Tackle Southern Cypress Bait and Tackle Dixie Building Supply Black Buffalo SlipSki Millennium Marine

    Shrimp-Fed Bass and Shallow-Water Bowfin
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4.8
out of 5
25 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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