This Week on the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report
This week, host Butch Thierry flies solo and brings in some excellent reports from around the Alabama Gulf Coast. Captain Bobby Abruscato shares insights on the inshore bite, including hot wade fishing action in Mississippi Sound and slip corking success in Mobile Bay. Chris Vecsey from Sam’s Bait and Tackle discusses sight fishing for redfish and his up-and-down tarpon season. Offshore, Captain Kendall Annan of Gulf Rebel Charters reports on a bounce-back year for king mackerel and consistent bottom fishing action. Let’s dive in.
Conditions Recap
Late July brought unusual wind patterns, with persistent north winds improving fishing conditions in the western Sound. The bay is finally cleaning up, which has opened up productive slip corking opportunities in the lower bay. Afternoon thunderstorms and heavy boating pressure have made early morning and late evening the most productive times to fish, especially for shallow water and sight fishing enthusiasts. Water temps are creeping toward 90 degrees, which has made fish lethargic by midday, but action remains strong early and late.
Inshore Report – Captain Bobby Abruscato
Capt. Bobby Abruscato with A Team Fishing Adventures has been wade fishing thigh-deep water in Mississippi Sound with excellent success. Calm mornings have been ideal for topwater baits, while choppier days call for Slick Lures in the “B-Kat” color to cut through stained water. He’s been landing quality specks, redfish, and even a few surprise flounder.
Slip corking in the lower third of Mobile Bay is heating up, with shrimp and croakers on live bait rigs producing solid numbers of bay trout and slot reds. Key tips include letting the cork drift naturally with the current and using 40 lb braid down to a 20 lb fluorocarbon leader to minimize break-offs. Bobby recommends dedicating multiple rods to slip corking to stay productive during hot bites.
Gear Highlight: Slick Lures, Fairhope Rattler popping corks, Vudu Shrimp, Gulp soft plastics, and 20–30 lb leaders for finesse work.
Flats & Tarpon Report – Chris Vecsey, Sam’s Bait and Tackle
Chris Vecsey of Sam’s Bait and Tackle has been sight fishing skittish redfish around Orange Beach and Perdido Key, with bulls showing up in skinny water and responding to wake baits and gurgler flies early. Midday calls for finesse tactics—his go-to is the Buggs Fishing Permit Bug, which he describes as the ultimate dead-stick bait for lethargic redfish.
Tarpon have been hit or miss, with higher pressure this year than ever. Chris emphasizes the importance of patience, posting up rather than running and gunning, and staying quiet. Swim baits have been more consistent than live bait in recent weeks, and lighter leaders are helping get more bites.
Gear Highlight: Buggs Permit Bug, topwater flies, wake baits, and swim baits for tarpon.
Offshore Report – Captain Kendall Annan, Gulf Rebel Charters
The king mackerel bite has returned strong inside 30–40 miles. Spanish mackerel and bonita are abundant, and mahi are showing up closer in than usual. Captain Kendall Annan of Gulf Rebel Charters has been trolling small spoons behind planers for Spanish, switching to size 2 spoons and heavier leaders as he targets kings further offshore. He emphasizes checking leaders frequently and running a mix of flat lines and planers for best results.
Bottom fishing remains productive for red snapper, bee-liners, and a few scamp. Kendall recommends keeping fresh baits in the water and varying depths frequently to entice bites. Drift lines with live cigar minnows are producing bonus mahi and kings while anchored on spots.
Gear Highlight: Planers with spoons, 60–90 lb leaders, live and dead cigar minnows, chunk bonita for snapper, and circle hooks for drift lines.
