Gulf Coast Fishing Report

Cactus Jack

Gulf Coast Fishing Report delivers weekly fishing intelligence for anglers across Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Get clear, local reports on redfish, speckled trout, flounder, snapper, sheepshead, tarpon, king mackerel, and offshore pelagics. Covering inshore, nearshore, and offshore conditions, tides, bait movement, seasonal patterns, weather impacts, and where the bite is heating up each week.

  1. 5d ago

    After the Gale: Alabama Redfish, Pensacola Drum & Wahoo

    Gulf Coast Fishing Report | October 17–23, 2026 Gale warnings are changing weekend fishing plans, but the next Alabama and Pensacola saltwater fishing opportunities are worth preparing for. Join Cactus Jack and Mark for this week's Gulf Coast Fishing Report covering Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola. Find out how to target redfish in sheltered Gulf Shores and Orange Beach backwaters using small live pinfish, where to place shrimp and blue crab for Pensacola Beach black drum, and why whiting deserve a separate bait close to shore. We also cover Alabama beach flounder, Fort Morgan bull redfish on cut mullet, jack crevalle around beach bait schools, and redfish and flounder opportunities at Perdido Pass when conditions permit. Looking offshore? Learn how to prepare a wahoo trolling plan using rigged ballyhoo around clean-water edges, FADs, wrecks, and bottom contours. Blackfin tuna and mahi are additional regional possibilities. Plus, hear the latest weekend marine outlook, surf warnings, boating considerations, and marina fuel information. The exposed Gulf trip needs to wait while dangerous conditions persist. Check the latest forecast before making your next fishing decision. SPONSORS 🥇 SAFEBOAT – BOATING FORECAST Before leaving the dock, use SafeBoat to review marine weather, wind, waves, radar, and the timing of your departure and return. SafeBoat helps recreational boaters make a clearer Go, Caution, or No-Go decision. Download: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safeboat-boating-forecast/id6766000186 BAMA BEACH PHOTOGRAPHY Discover premium Gulf Coast photography, coastal wall art, and marine photography. https://www.bamabeachphotography.com DUAL TRACKER Bring steps, activity, and weight progress together in one daily fitness view. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dual-tracker/id6763183171 READ THE COMPLETE REPORT https://gulfcoastfishingreport.com/reports/ WATCH THE WEEKLY VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/@GulfCoastFishingReport Follow Gulf Coast Fishing Report on Spotify and share this episode with your fishing partner. Turn local knowledge into your next great fishing story.

  2. Oct 3

    Redfish to Sailfish: Your Gulf Coast Fishing Plan

    Plan your fall Gulf Coast fishing trip with inshore redfish and flounder, Mobile Bay tripletail, beach whiting and pompano, pier Spanish mackerel, nearshore kings, and Pensacola mahi and sailfish. SPONSORS SafeBoat — Review marine weather, wind, waves, radar, and departure-and-return timing before leaving the dock.https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safe-boat-marine-weather/id6766000186 Bama Beach Photography — Gulf Coast marine photography and coastal wall art that preserve the moments you want to keep.https://www.bamabeachphotography.com Dual Tracker — Bring Apple Watch activity and compatible Garmin data synced through Apple Health into one daily view of steps, weight, and trends.https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dual-tracker/id6763183171 Cactus Jack and Mark bring you a practical Alabama saltwater fishing report from Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola. INSHORE: Learn how to work scented paddle tails near the bottom for marsh flounder, swim crab imitations for redfish and black drum, and drift small live pogies beside Mobile Bay poles and buoys for tripletail. SURF: Fish shrimp close to the Gulf Shores beach shelf for whiting. Place shrimp or sand fleas in clean Perdido-area troughs for pompano, and work compact metal jigs through beach bait schools for bluefish and Spanish mackerel. PIER & NEARSHORE: Free-line small live baitfish for Spanish mackerel at Gulf State Park Pier. For kings outside Perdido Pass, slow-troll healthy cigar minnows on wire-protected rigs when conditions suit the trip. OFFSHORE: Match live cigar minnows to Pensacola mahi around floating cover and sailfish in the trolling spread. Check the latest official forecast and SafeBoat before choosing your offshore launch and return windows. Plus Alabama Point / Perdido Pass tides, weekend marine weather, boating safety, and marina fuel notes. Read the full fishing report:https://gulfcoastfishingreport.com/reports/ Watch the weekly video:https://www.youtube.com/@GulfCoastFishingReport Follow Gulf Coast Fishing Report for your weekend fishing edge, and share this episode with your fishing partner. Gulf Coast fishing podcast, Alabama saltwater fishing report, Gulf Shores fishing report, Orange Beach fishing report, Pensacola fishing report, Dauphin Island fishing, Mobile Bay tripletail fishing, inshore redfish fishing, marsh flounder fishing, live pogies for tripletail, Gulf Shores whiting fishing, Perdido Key pompano fishing, Gulf State Park Pier Spanish mackerel, Perdido Pass king mackerel, Pensacola mahi and sailfish, Gulf Coast surf fishing, offshore fishing podcast, Alabama Point tides, weekend fishing outlook, SafeBoat marine weather

  3. Sep 25

    Stop Casting Past the Fish: This Week's Gulf Coast Fishing Plan

    The fish may be closer—and holding tighter to specific structure—than you expect this week. The September 26–October 2 Gulf Coast Fishing Report gives you the practical fishing plan from Dauphin Island through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key and Pensacola. This week: 🎣 Work the bottom third of rock ledges for flounder and bridge current for speckled trout. 🏖️ Put one surf bait in the closest deep hole before casting farther for pompano and redfish. 🐟 Follow pier bait schools with a bubble rig for Spanish mackerel and check your leader after every toothy strike. 🚤 Build repeatable drifts across natural bottom for gag and red grouper, using durable pinfish and slow-pitch jigs when triggerfish become a problem. Before launch, check SafeBoat - Boating Forecast for wind, waves, radar, lightning, marine weather, and changing conditions. Check it again before extending the trip or making the run home. Find SafeBoat - Boating Forecast in the Apple App Store. We also cover Alabama Point and Perdido Pass tides, the weekend marine forecast, surf positioning, pompano rigs, live bait, leader adjustments, slow-pitch tactics, fuel information and boating safety. Bama Beach Photography turns Gulf Coast experiences into coastal artwork for your home. See the collection at bamabeachphotography.com. The lesson tying the fishing together this week is simple: Fish the feature, not the general area. Dual Tracker combines Apple Watch and Garmin activity information into one daily view for steps, activity, and weight tracking. Find Dual Tracker in the Apple App Store. Follow the Gulf Coast Fishing Report so next week's fishing plan is ready before you choose the ramp, load the bait or set the first surf rod. Turn Local Knowledge Into Your Next Great Fishing Story. Gulf Coast fishing reportGulf Shores fishing reportOrange Beach fishing reportAlabama saltwater fishingPensacola fishing reportDauphin Island fishingPerdido Key fishingMobile Bay fishingflounder fishing Alabamapompano fishing Gulf ShoresOrange Beach surf fishingSpanish mackerel fishingpier fishing Gulf Coastgrouper fishing Alabamagag grouper fishingred grouper fishingnatural bottom grouper fishingslow pitch jigging Gulf CoastAlabama Point fishingPerdido Pass fishingweekend fishing forecastGulf Coast fishing podcastAlabama fishing podcastSafeBoat boating forecastBama Beach PhotographyDual Tracker SAFEBOAT BAMA BEACH PHOTOGRAPHY DUAL TRACKER

  4. Sep 19

    Redfish Tide Window | Pompano & Grouper | Gulf Coast Fishing Report

    Plan the September 19–25 bite from Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay through Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola. Cactus Jack and Mark cover the short bridge-redfish tide window, croakers for bigger speckled trout, flounder and pompano along the beach, king mackerel over live bottom, and gag grouper, amberjack, red snapper, and tuna offshore. SPONSORS IN THIS EPISODE **SafeBoat - Boating Forecast** helps recreational boaters compare wind, gusts, waves, radar, advisories, launch timing, return timing, boat type, and passenger comfort before leaving the dock. Use it to support a clearer Go, Caution, or No-Go decision. Find SafeBoat at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safeboat-boating-forecast/id6766000186. SafeBoat is decision support, not a guarantee. **Bama Beach Photography** turns Gulf Coast days on the water into marine imagery, coastal wall art, and family memories made to last. Explore the work or book a session at https://www.bamabeachphotography.com. **Dual Tracker** brings Apple Watch and Garmin steps, activity, and weight progress into one clear daily view. Find it at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dual-tracker/id6763183171. Inshore, redfish may hold around Pensacola bridge structure without eating, then turn on for only 15 or 20 minutes when the tide reaches the right speed. Be ready with croakers, live shrimp, or scaled baitfish. For bigger trout, free-line a lively croaker hooked near the top of the tail and let it swim naturally. On the beach, work a quarter-ounce jig head and New Penny plastic on a tandem rig for flounder. Start in the first trough, then reach toward the second sandbar. For pompano, stagger fresh shrimp, Fishbites, and sand fleas along the bar edges, drop-offs, white water, and middle trough until one lane produces. Nearshore, begin around productive live bottom in roughly 100 to 120 feet. Fish the bottom for vermilion snapper while keeping a freelined live bait working above the bottom rigs for a passing king. Offshore, fish medium pinfish or firm butterflied baits close to deep hard bottom for gag grouper. Present large live hardtails or whole ruby redlips higher for amberjack. Around bluewater rigs, use live hornbellies as hook bait and live chum for tuna, giving priority to fish marked around 180 feet or shallower. The episode also covers Alabama Point and Perdido Pass tides, the weekend marine forecast, Sunday thunderstorm potential, Gulf Shores marina fuel, and a SafeBoat check before launch. Read the full report at https://gulfcoastfishingreport.com and follow Gulf Coast Fishing Report so your weekend fishing edge is ready every Friday. ### Spotify Short Description The September 19–25 Gulf Coast fishing plan from Dauphin Island to Pensacola. Learn how to time a short bridge-redfish window, free-line croakers for bigger trout, target flounder and pompano along the beach, find kings over live bottom, and match deep-water bait and presentation to gag grouper, amberjack, red snapper, and tuna. Plus tides, marine weather, fuel, and a SafeBoat launch-and-return check. ### Spotify Key Phrases - Gulf Coast fishing podcast - Alabama saltwater fishing podcast - Gulf Shores fishing report - Orange Beach fishing report - Pensacola fishing report - Dauphin Island fishing - Mobile Bay fishing - Perdido Key fishing - Pensacola bridge redfish - redfish tide window - croaker for speckled trout - Gulf Shores pompano fishing - tandem rig flounder - king mackerel live bottom - gag grouper deep water - amberjack live bait - blackfin tuna live chum - September Gulf Coast fishing - weekend saltwater fishing report - SafeBoat boating forecast - Gulf Coast fishing report - Alabama saltwater fishing report - Gulf Shores fishing report - Orange Beach fishing report - Pensacola fishing report - Northwest Florida fishing report - Gulf Coast fishing podcast - what's biting now Gulf Coast - weekend fishing report - September Gulf Coast fishing

  5. Sep 12

    9/11 Tribute | Flounder, Pompano & Snapper | Sept. 12–18

    In remembrance of those lost on September 11, 2001, and with gratitude for the first responders, service members, families, and communities forever affected. We remember. Plan the September 12–13 bite from Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay through Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola. Cactus Jack and Mark cover bottom-contact flounder around rocks and ledges, pompano across several surf lanes, Spanish mackerel and bluefish around nearshore bait, and snapper, grouper, amberjack, and other reef fish offshore. SPONSORS IN THIS EPISODE BAMA BEACH PHOTOGRAPHY Bama Beach Photography turns Gulf Coast days on the water into marine imagery, coastal wall art, and family memories made to last. Explore the work or book a session:https://www.bamabeachphotography.com DUAL TRACKER Dual Tracker brings Apple Watch and Garmin steps, activity, and weight progress into one clear daily view:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dual-tracker/id6763183171 SAFEBOAT – BOATING FORECAST SafeBoat helps recreational boaters compare wind, gusts, waves, radar, advisories, launch timing, return timing, boat type, and passenger comfort before leaving the dock. Use it to support a clearer Go, Caution, or No-Go decision:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safeboat-boating-forecast/id6766000186 SafeBoat is decision support, not a guarantee. INSHORE AND BACK BAY Fish a quarter-ounce jig head and compact paddletail or grub tight to rock jetties, ledges, and pilings for flounder. Keep the lure near bottom and change the casting angle or depth before leaving productive-looking structure. Live shrimp, small pogies, LYs, spots, and croakers can cover deeper ledges. The report also includes mangrove snapper around docks and bridge structure, live shrimp under a popping cork for speckled trout, and tripletail around channel markers and tide lines. SURF AND BEACH Use shrimp, sand fleas, or compact Fishbites on a pompano rig. Test the first trough, the water behind the sandbar, and the deeper lane beyond it. Move the spread toward the distance producing bites. Set cut bait or crab near current seams and deeper trough edges for redfish. NEARSHORE Follow glass minnows, sardines, LYs, pilchards, and small pogies around the passes. Cast fast jigs through the edge of visible activity, or troll a live bait beside a diving minnow for Spanish mackerel, bluefish, kings, blackfin tuna, mahi, and other pelagics. OFFSHORE Chum and free-line live bait when mangrove snapper or red snapper rise from a reef. Use a Carolina or knocker rig when fish remain near bottom. Fish larger live baits close to structure for gag grouper. Keep lively baits above pressured wrecks for amberjack so the fish must rise away from the structure. The episode also covers Alabama Point and Perdido Pass tides, light southwest winds, seas around one foot or less, morning thunderstorm timing, marina fuel, and a SafeBoat check before launch. Read the complete report:https://gulfcoastfishingreport.com Follow Gulf Coast Fishing Report so your weekend fishing edge is ready every Friday. SPOTIFY SHORT DESCRIPTION 9/11 tribute and the September 12–13 Gulf Coast fishing plan from Dauphin Island to Pensacola. Get current structure, baits, rigs, and adjustments for flounder, pompano, speckled trout, redfish, Spanish mackerel, snapper, grouper, and amberjack, plus Alabama Point tides, marine weather, marina fuel, and a SafeBoat launch-and-return check. SPOTIFY KEY PHRASES Gulf Coast fishing podcastAlabama saltwater fishing podcastGulf Shores fishing reportOrange Beach fishing reportPensacola fishing reportDauphin Island fishingMobile Bay fishingPerdido Key fishingNorthwest Florida fishing reportFlounder fishing AlabamaPompano fishing Gulf ShoresRed snapper fishing Orange BeachSpanish mackerel nearshoreSeptember Gulf Coast fishingWeekend saltwater fishing report9/11 tribute fishing report

  6. Sep 5

    Amberjack, Big Spanish, Surf Redfish and Flounder

    The early fall bait move is starting from Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay through Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola. In this September 5–6 Gulf Coast Fishing Report, Cactus Jack and Mark explain where to find flounder on bay ledges, redfish and pompano across the surf, and Spanish mackerel around shallow grass, bridge structure, passes, and nearshore bait schools. SPONSORS IN THIS EPISODE **Bama Beach Photography** turns Gulf Coast days on the water into coastal artwork and family memories made to last. Explore the collection or book a session at https://www.bamabeachphotography.com. **Dual Tracker** brings Apple Watch and Garmin steps, activity, and weight progress into one clear daily view. Find it at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dual-tracker/id6763183171. **SafeBoat – Boating Forecast** helps recreational boaters compare wind, gusts, waves, radar, advisories, launch timing, return timing, boat type, and passenger comfort before leaving the dock. Use it to support a clearer Go, Caution, or No-Go decision at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safeboat-boating-forecast/id6766000186. SafeBoat is decision support, not a guarantee. Inshore, learn how to keep a 3- to 3.5-inch finger mullet, croaker, or pogy tight to a steep ledge with a 10- to 12-inch Carolina-rig leader, then cover nearby flats, oyster beds, bridge edges, grass, and moving water for speckled trout and redfish. On the beach, spread redfish baits through the first trough, a cut in the bar, and deeper outside water. Use blue crab, sand fleas, or firm cut bait, then set a separate pompano presentation beyond the bar with sand fleas, shrimp, or synthetic bait. Keep a casting rod ready for the early bluefish bite. Nearshore, set up up-current and live-chum greenies or pilchards around grass-to-sand edges, bridges, passes, and bait schools before free-lining a bait for Spanish mackerel. Offshore, the plan covers state-water red snapper, amberjack above large wrecks, wahoo trolling, and a deep-drop tilefish option. The episode also includes Alabama Point and Perdido Pass tides, the weekend marine forecast, thunderstorms, current Gulf Shores marina fuel prices, and a launch-and-return check before leaving protected water. Read the full report at https://gulfcoastfishingreport.com and follow Gulf Coast Fishing Report so your weekend fishing edge is ready every Friday. The early fall bait move is starting from Dauphin Island to Pensacola. Get exact places, baits, rigs, and tactics for flounder on bay ledges, redfish and pompano in the surf, and Spanish mackerel around grass edges, bridges, passes, and nearshore bait. The episode also covers speckled trout, bluefish, red snapper, amberjack, wahoo, deep-drop tilefish, Alabama Point tides, marine weather, marina fuel, and a SafeBoat launch-and-return check for September 5–6. - Gulf Coast fishing report - Alabama saltwater fishing report - Gulf Shores fishing report - Orange Beach fishing report - Pensacola fishing report - Northwest Florida fishing report - what's biting now Gulf Coast - Dauphin Island fishing report - Mobile Bay fishing report - Fort Morgan fishing - Gulf Shores surf fishing - Orange Beach fishing - Perdido Pass fishing report - Perdido Key fishing report - Pensacola surf fishing report - fall bait move Gulf Coast - Spanish mackerel fishing Alabama - big Spanish mackerel Pensacola - surf redfish Pensacola - Alabama surf redfish - flounder Carolina rig - flounder fishing bay ledges - live chum Spanish mackerel - pompano fishing beyond the sandbar - speckled trout moving water - red snapper state waters Alabama - amberjack wreck fishing - Orange Beach offshore fishing report - what fish are biting in Gulf Shores - what fish are biting in Orange Beach - what fish are biting in Pensacola - where to fish this weekend Alabama Gulf Coast - best bait for Spanish mackerel - best bait for surf redfish - how to rig live bait for flounder - Gulf Coast fishing conditions this weekend

  7. Aug 29

    Mangrove Snapper at Perdido Pass, Bridge Redfish & Beach Pompano

    Mangrove snapper at Perdido Pass lead the August 29–30 Gulf Coast Fishing Report covering Dauphin Island, Mobile Bay, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola. SPONSORS IN THIS EPISODE Bama Beach Photography creates Gulf Coast wall art for homes, offices, and gifts: https://www.bamabeachphotography.com Dual Tracker brings Apple Watch and Garmin activity, steps, and weight progress into one clear daily view: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dual-tracker/id6763183171 SafeBoat - Boating Forecast organizes marine weather, wind, waves, radar, and trip timing into a clear boating brief: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safeboat-boating-forecast/id6766000186 Nearshore, fish three- to four-inch croakers or spots around Perdido Pass jetties, bridge pilings, deeper docks, and the Robinson Island rock pile for mangrove snapper. Use a light Carolina rig with 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon, approximately a 2/0 inline circle hook, and only enough weight to reach the current seam. Inshore, work live croakers over shell and hard bottom for speckled trout. Flounder are holding around shell, rocks, pilings, deeper docks, and jetty edges. At the Perdido Pass bridge, soak menhaden between the pilings for redfish on falling water. On the beach, use shrimp, Fishbites, and fresh sand fleas on a two-drop pompano rig. Place one bait in the close trough and another beyond the first bar. Keep a casting metal ready when bluefish and Spanish mackerel push bait close to shore. Offshore, red snapper remain steady over artificial reefs and natural bottom. Downsize hooks and bait for triggerfish, jig the marked depth for amberjack, and watch clean water and concentrated bait for wahoo, dolphin, and billfish. The episode also covers Alabama Point tides, weekend marine weather, thunderstorm planning, Gulf Shores marina fuel, and SafeBoat launch-and-return planning. Follow Gulf Coast Fishing Report so your weekend fishing edge is ready every Friday. Gulf Coast fishing podcast, Gulf Coast Fishing Report, mangrove snapper Perdido Pass, Orange Beach fishing, Gulf Shores fishing, Dauphin Island fishing, Mobile Bay fishing, Perdido Key fishing, Pensacola fishing report, Robinson Island fishing, mangrove snapper rig, live croaker fishing, speckled trout fishing, flounder fishing, Perdido Pass redfish, beach pompano fishing, Spanish mackerel fishing, red snapper fishing, triggerfish rig, amberjack jigging, wahoo fishing, offshore fishing Orange Beach, Alabama Point tides, weekend marine forecast

  8. Aug 22

    Trout, Pompano, Snook & Offshore Bite | Gulf Coast Fishing Report

    The August 22–23 Gulf Coast Fishing Report covers Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay through Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and Pensacola. Start before daylight around Dauphin Island oyster beds with topwater for speckled trout, then switch to a smoking-shad soft-plastic jerkbait as the falling tide builds. On the beach, work spoons and casting metals through the deeper gut for bluefish. Pompano anglers can cover the first trough and an outside lane with Fish Gum and fresh sand fleas. Around jetties, try live shrimp, small live finfish, or natural baitfish imitations for snook. Offshore, match slow-pitch grouper, triggerfish, amberjack, snapper, and deep-drop rigs to the depth and marks. The episode also covers Alabama Point tides, weekend marine weather, thunderstorm planning, Gulf Shores marina fuel, and SafeBoat launch-and-return planning. SPONSORS IN THIS EPISODE Bama Beach Photography: https://www.bamabeachphotography.com Dual Tracker: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dual-tracker/id6763183171 SafeBoat - Boating Forecast: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/safeboat-boating-forecast/id6766000186 Follow Gulf Coast Fishing Report so your weekend fishing edge is ready. Gulf Coast fishing report, Gulf Coast fishing podcast, Alabama Gulf Coast fishing, Gulf Shores fishing, Orange Beach fishing, Dauphin Island fishing, Mobile Bay fishing, Fort Morgan fishing, Perdido Key fishing, Pensacola fishing report, speckled trout fishing, pompano surf fishing, bluefish fishing, snook fishing, red grouper fishing, triggerfish rig, amberjack jigging, snapper fishing, offshore fishing, Alabama Point tides, weekend marine forecast

About

Gulf Coast Fishing Report delivers weekly fishing intelligence for anglers across Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Get clear, local reports on redfish, speckled trout, flounder, snapper, sheepshead, tarpon, king mackerel, and offshore pelagics. Covering inshore, nearshore, and offshore conditions, tides, bait movement, seasonal patterns, weather impacts, and where the bite is heating up each week.

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