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Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report for July 24 – 31, 2025

July 27, 2025

This Week on the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report

Host Butch Thierry is joined by co-host Angelo De Paola and several top captains along the Alabama Gulf Coast to talk about what’s biting, how recent events like the ICAST show and the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo are shaping the season, and what anglers can expect next. From flounder and trout in the bay to tuna and marlin offshore, it’s a jam-packed episode with inshore, offshore, and nearshore insights.

Conditions Recap

Fishing conditions across Alabama’s saltwater scene continue to shift, with bait and gamefish on the move and water clarity playing a huge role in finding fish. Higher than average water temperatures and shifting tides are creating highly localized bite windows. The bay has cleared up significantly since early summer, and fish are responding accordingly. Weather has been challenging at times, particularly during the rodeo weekend, but the fishing remains rewarding for those willing to adapt.

Inshore Report with Captain Shane Traylor – Bonafide Inshore Charters

Captain Shane Traylor of Bona Fide Inshore Charters has been putting in serious time across Dog River, Mobile Bay, and the Mississippi Sound. While a recent wade fishing trip brought an unexpected battle with a jack crevalle, the real action has been on structure and reefs just off the main junk. Trout, white trout, and even flounder have been staging off reef edges rather than in them. Using live shrimp under a popping cork worked for locating fish, but switching to Vudu shrimp eliminated trash bites and brought in quality trout.

Flounder action is picking up significantly, with a sharp increase in numbers over a 24-hour span in key hard-bottom areas. Live shrimp on a Carolina rig remains the ticket. Captain Shane also noted good results watching mullet schools to determine whether fish are holding in tight or out deep.

Gear Recommendations: Vudu shrimp, live shrimp, Carolina rigs, MirrOlures, and custom-painted suspending baits.

Offshore Report with Captain King Marchand– Captain Mike’s Deep Sea Fishing

Captain King Marchand with Capt. Mike’s Deep Sea Fishing shares an entertaining and detailed rundown of their three-day grind during the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. Despite rough seas early in the trip, his crew pushed through and landed a 69 lb tuna that put them in the money. He highlights a strong early morning tuna bite at one rig, with fish disappearing by late morning. Dirty blue water seemed more productive than crystal clear cobalt water, and many offshore rigs were devoid of life later in the day. They also found decent snapper and scamp in 180–190 ft water on the way in.

Gear Recommendations: Live horn bellies, vertical jigs, heavy tackle for tuna, and bottom rigs for deep snapper/scamp spots.

Nearshore & Flounder Update with Captain Brandon Collier – Captain Collier Charters

Captain Branden Collier of Capt. Collier Charters focused on inshore and nearshore flounder fishing during the rodeo. Friday was brutal with wind and no bites for hours, but a switch to finger mullet and tiger minnows triggered a quick 15-minute flounder flurry. A heartbreaker break-off on a likely rodeo winner flounder capped the session. The team transitioned to trout and redfish tactics for the rest of the weekend with good success early in the mornings on the beach.

He emphasized how drastically conditions—and fish patterns—can shift day to day. Water clarity, bait location, and even tide movements were inconsistent, making it tough to pattern anything for long. He suggests staying flexible, watching for slicks and bait concentrations, and changing tactics often.

Gear Recommendations: Finger mullet, tiger minnows, croakers, slick lures, and trolling motors for subtle front beach approaches.