This week, host Tanner Deas with Dauphin Island Fishing Charters checks in with Capt. King Marchand of Capt. Mike’s Deep Sea Fishing, Capt. Robby Howard of Coastal Fins Fishing, and special guest Dylan Kiene, a.k.a. “Dr. Doormat.” The crew recaps an epic offshore husband trip aboard the Lady Ann, a strong inshore and flounder bite, and shifting patterns as fall transitions into winter along the Alabama coast.
Conditions Recap
As October turns to November, anglers across the coast are feeling the first real temperature drops of fall. Water clarity remains excellent, with salinity levels staying high due to limited rainfall. This stability has led to good variety inshore and nearshore, with flounder numbers peaking just before the November closure. Offshore, small weather windows have created short bursts of opportunity for big tuna, blackfin, and bottom fish. Cooler mornings are beginning to push trout and redfish deeper into river systems, while clear water and abundant bait are keeping the bite steady on the beaches and around the Delta.
Onshore & Wade Fishing Report – Capt. Tanner Deas and Dylan “Dr. Doormat” Kiene
After wrapping up a three-day offshore run, Tanner and Dylan jumped straight into wade fishing along Dauphin Island’s beaches. Recent wades produced excellent numbers of flounder mixed with redfish, whiting, and the occasional baby pompano. While many flounder were undersized, the overall numbers and size quality have improved dramatically in the last few weeks—just in time for the annual November closure.
Tanner emphasized that wade fishing has been the best way to find quality fish. Clear, drought-driven water conditions have favored natural-colored soft plastics such as Z-Man and Gambler baits paired with Pro-Cure scent. “If the water’s clean and green, natural tones and pink hues are the ticket,” Tanner said. Flounder have been holding tight around docks, shell bottom, and soft structure ledges. Smaller males are stacked in with larger females—always a good sign for future stocks.
Tanner also noted that productive casts matter. “Flounder fishing is super cast-oriented,” he said. “If you hit the right ambush point—rocks, docks, ledges, or grass lines—you’ll get bit.” The team described “flounder raves,” when heavy rain or dirty water ignites feeding frenzies. As conditions shift with the season, expect sheepshead to begin showing up around docks and nearshore rocks soon.
Offshore Report – Capt. King Marchand
Host Tanner and crew joined Capt. King Marchand of Capt. Mike’s Deep Sea Fishing for what can only be called an offshore marathon. A narrow weather window turned into a memorable husband trip aboard the Lady Ann. After catching more than 1,000 live baits, the crew set off into the Gulf for a night of bottom fishing that produced hefty vermillion snapper and massive spadefish.
The next morning, the tuna grounds erupted. “We hooked five fish before sunrise and landed four before 7 a.m.,” said Marchand. The bite began on chunk baits before transitioning to live bait once the sun broke the horizon. Yellowfin up to nearly 200 pounds hit the deck, along with steady blackfin action on Johnny Jigs. Dolphin activity dictated tactics—chunking when they were near, live baiting once they cleared out. Light 40-pound fluorocarbon leaders and small hooks fooled even the wariest tuna.
After a cooler full of tuna, the crew switched gears to daytime swordfishing over deep ridges in 1,400–1,600 feet of water. Although no swordfish came to the boat, Marchand explained his strategy: “I’m looking for bait and current on the edges of those deep ditches. Don’t be afraid to try new ridges if you’re not getting bit.” Squid has been the go-to daytime bait, while tough-skinned eels shine for nighttime drops. King’s confidence in his spread, timing, and tactical adjustments showed why the Lady Ann remains one of the most respected offshore platforms on the Gulf Coast.
Inshore Report – Capt. Robby Howard, Coastal Fins Fishing
Capt. Robby Howard of Coastal Fins Fishing checked in from the Eastern Shore, where he’s been working the rivers and flats north of the Bayway. Bird schools have been the key for speckled trout, though the bite varies day-to-day. “Right now, we’re seeing a lot of smaller trout, but that’ll change once temps dip below 70 degrees,” Robby explained. When the water cools into the mid-60s, expect larger trout to stack up in big schools throughout the Delta.
He’s been targeting these fish with a mix of popping corks and shrimp imitations, paddle tails, and Slick Jr. profiles. One day, the paddle tails win; the next, a shrimp imitation rules. “It’s just part of the transition,” Robby said. As for redfish, he’s focusing on grassy or wooded banks, especially those with active mullet present. “If you see big mullet cruising the bank, reds aren’t far behind.”
Flounder and puppy drum are also showing up as bycatch on shrimp and Carolina rigs. Robby prefers a fixed-weight setup from Fisherman’s Discount to keep baits pinned close to bottom. He noted that smaller black drum—those still showing stripes—make excellent table fare. With good salinity and minimal freshwater influx, the Delta should continue producing through December, especially for trout and reds pushing into winter patterns.
