This Week’s Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report
This week, host Butch Thierry checks in with Capt. Bobby Abruscato of A Team Fishing Adventures and Chris Vecsey from Sam’s Bait and Tackle. Capt. Bobby shares a detailed update on the Delta’s inshore trout and redfish bite, while Chris reports from the Orange Beach area with kayak and nearshore tuna action, plus a look at redfish, pompano, and inshore species. The show is presented by Angelo DePaola – The Coastal Connection with eXp Realty.
Conditions Recap
Cooler temperatures and persistent winds have limited offshore runs this week, but inshore and nearshore action remains strong. Clear, salty water and stable temperatures have kept trout and redfish active in tidal rivers and Delta systems, while pelagic species like blackfin tuna and even yellowfin have moved unusually close to the beach near Navarre and Orange Beach. With an early-season cold snap expected next week, anglers should be prepared for a strong late fall bite as fish settle into winter patterns.
Inshore Report – Capt. Bobby Abruscato, A Team Fishing Adventures
Capt. Bobby Abruscato—the “Titan of the Tidal Rivers”—checked in from the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, where speckled trout, white trout, and redfish are biting consistently. He’s been alternating between the local rivers and Delta channels depending on tides and wind, and reports that conditions are near perfect: clear water, steady temperature drops, and fish feeding aggressively ahead of next week’s freeze.
Capt. Bobby’s clients have been catching big numbers of trout, plus a surprising mix of redfish under bird schools—an encouraging sign for the Delta. He notes that the latest speckled trout stock assessment from local researchers looks promising, confirming what guides have observed: a healthy population supported by conservation-minded anglers releasing large breeders.
For tactics, he recommends staying flexible. Shrimp imitations under popping corks are still working well thanks to late-season shrimp in the rivers. In deeper water, a Slick Jr. or Little Slick on a jighead is his go-to. When fishing bird schools, Capt. Bobby avoids using trolling motor spot-locks, opting instead to drift naturally through the schools to prevent scattering the fish.
With the first freeze approaching, expect shrimp to thin out and the bite to shift toward artificial presentations—slick lures, soft plastics, and even topwater baits on warmer afternoons. Capt. Bobby also reminds anglers to dress for success: layer up with quality cold-weather gear like AFTCO’s Reaper Hoodies and Helm Gloves to stay comfortable when chasing those winter trout.
Nearshore & Kayak Report – Chris Vecsey, Sam’s Bait and Tackle
Over in Orange Beach, Chris Vecsey reports a surprisingly busy fall season, with strong nearshore and kayak action for blackfin tuna and a few trophy-sized yellowfin showing up close to the beach. These pelagics have been feeding heavily on bait schools along the nearshore current line stretching from Panama City to Pensacola, aided by weeks of strong, warm flow from the DeSoto Canyon.
Chris and fellow kayak angler Brandon Barton landed multiple blackfin tuna in the 20–30 lb range trolling Rapala X-Raps and Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows at 2–3 mph. He suggests keeping one trolling setup and a casting rod rigged with a popper or swimbait for surface activity. Anglers should also stay alert for “fish oil” slicks or that distinct “melon” scent on the water—sure signs of feeding tuna upwind.
Safety is critical when fishing offshore from kayaks. Chris emphasizes always wearing a PFD, using a Garmin inReach or other emergency beacon, and avoiding solo trips, especially when offshore winds can quickly push kayaks away from the beach.
Inshore, Chris reports speckled trout and redfish still holding on the grass flats and lower bays, with darker soft plastics rigged weedless producing best. Wake baits continue to draw strikes over shallow grass. As temperatures drop, trout will soon transition into river systems, while pompano fishing remains excellent along the beaches through Thanksgiving, with ideal surf temperatures in the low 70s. Bull reds are thick around Perdido Pass, Fort Morgan, and West Pass, feeding under birds and in muddy “pushes” visible from the surface.
Chris also notes that the snook population in coastal Alabama has rebounded well after last winter’s freeze, and tagging efforts with Dauphin Island Sea Lab researchers have already produced a few exciting recaptures.
