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In this week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report, host Nick Williams checks in with Josh Gunter, Shannon Woods, and Captain John Michael Chappelle of Chappelle Excursions. The episode covers a spring stretch of stable water that has anglers optimistic across the Delta, with Josh breaking down a strong catfish bite and a scattered but improving crappie pattern, Shannon looking ahead to coming brim action and tournament season, and John Michael offering a timely reminder that the Mobile-Tensaw is just as special for its wildlife and scenery as it is for the fishing.
Conditions Recap
The big story this week is stable water. Josh said the river has been “acting right for a change,” with only a couple of modest high-water events and a forecast that does not show much rain ahead. That has the Delta settling into a good spring setup, and it has anglers thinking that this year could offer the kind of fishable conditions they do not always get in April.
Even with the favorable water, the bite sounds a little in-between in several areas. Catfish are the most dependable pattern right now, while crappie are in a post-spawn funk and scattered enough that anglers have to stay mobile. Bass are giving up fish on moving baits around the shallows, and brim are starting to show, but the bigger bulls still have not fully arrived. It feels like the Delta is right on the edge of several better bites opening up at once.
Catfish, Crappie, and Bass with Josh Gunter
Josh Gunter said the best bite in the Delta right now is catfish. He has been seeing strong boxes of fish come in from anglers running limb lines, bank poles, noodling, and other traditional catfish tactics, and he said catfish bait has been moving fast enough that keeping goldfish in stock has become a challenge. For anglers just looking to put fish in the boat, that sounds like the most consistent option this week.
The crappie bite is a little trickier. Josh described the fish as being in that classic post-spawn funk where they are still around, but not especially predictable. His advice was simple and practical: cover water and do not get hung up on one pattern too long. Whether you are tree-top fishing, spider rigging, trolling, or using forward-facing sonar, this is not the time to sit still and hope they show up. If you are not getting bit, keep moving, change depths, and keep checking new water until you find active fish.
He also noted that anglers should not assume every area of the Delta is fishing the same. Fish in one creek can be ahead of fish in another based on water temperature and location, so it pays to stay flexible. If you are spider rigging at one depth without success, Josh suggested being willing to go shallower or push out deeper into that 12- to 14-foot range rather than forcing the same presentation all day.
For bass, Josh’s quick recommendation was to keep a swim jig and a chatterbait ready. Those are the baits local anglers are talking about, and he said they have been producing around the Delta. It is the kind of simple seasonal advice that makes sense this time of year, especially with fish still relating to shallow cover and transition banks.
Josh also mentioned that turkey hunters are still picking away at birds, but with fishable spring water in the Delta, it is hard for a lot of anglers to stay out of the boat for long. For local tackle and bait, Josh represents Steele Creek Bait & Tackle, where anglers can stock up before heading out.
Brim Report and Tournament Season with Shannon Woods
Shannon Woods said the brim bite is just starting to show signs of life, but it is not fully there yet. He has been catching fish, mostly smaller ones, and said the bigger bull bluegill still have not really arrived in numbers. A recent rise in water may have slowed things a bit, but he expects the fishery to improve as temperatures continue to climb deeper into April and May.
One detail Shannon kept coming back to was location. The fish he has been catching have mostly been around grass in roughly four to six feet of water. That does not necessarily mean a full bedding pattern is on, but it does give anglers a solid place to start looking. Right now, it sounds like a good strategy is to keep moving, pick off a fish or two from likely-looking water, and then circle back later rather than camping out on one spot too long.
Shannon’s tackle talk will sound familiar to anglers who like classic Delta panfish fishing. He is still a fan of a fly rod, a cane pole, and simple live-bait presentations with crickets and worms, but he has also been experimenting with hand-tied marabou jigs, small crappie jig heads, and micro Clouser-style flies. He said those smaller artificial offerings can catch plenty of brim around stumps and grass, and he also likes the idea of slower-sinking presentations under a bobber when fish are shallow and not feeding aggressively.
One of his better tactical tips was to fish likely bedding water in short stretches instead of overworking one sweet spot. Catch a fish or two, move down the bank, and then come back later. That rotation can keep you around fresh fish longer and may help you avoid burning out one area too quickly.
Shannon also shared details on the upcoming Tensaw River and Delta panfish tournaments. The series starts April 11 in Mount Vernon with a $1,000 first-place payout if participation reaches the target, followed by additional events later in April, May, and early June. He emphasized that the events are boat-based rather than person-based, which makes them family-friendly and accessible for anglers in everything from a jon boat to a pontoon. Anglers interested in the series can follow the Tensaw River & Delta Panfish Facebook group.
Nature, Wildlife, and Delta Tours with Captain John Michael Chappelle
The final segment widened the lens beyond the fishing report, and it may have been the most interesting part of the episode. Captain John Michael Chappelle of Chappelle Excursions joined the show to talk about the Mobile-Tensaw Delta as a living ecosystem, not just a fishery. His perspective fit perfectly with what makes this report different: fishing is part of the story here, but so are the birds, the marshes, the history, and the wild feeling of the place itself.
John Michael said spring is bringing the Delta to life. He has been seeing migrating birds, blooming plants, and more visible wildlife all over the system. He talked about bald eagles, pelicans, limpkins, white pelicans, ibis, swallow-tailed kites, nutria, alligators, and the long list of fish and small aquatic creatures that make the Delta so unique. It was a good reminder that even on a slow fishing day, there is still a lot worth paying attention to out there.
He also explained that his trips are not just sightseeing rides. They are meant to help people understand the Delta, whether that means birding, learning local history, or simply introducing a family to the basics of being on the water. On the fishing side, his approach is more educational than cooler-filling. He wants new anglers to understand things like line size, drag setting, and how to approach a trip without feeling intimidated. For beginners, that kind of instruction can be just as valuable as a hot bite.
If you are looking for a different way to experience the Mobile-Tensaw, Chappelle Excursions offers nature tours, birding trips, and family-friendly fishing trips focused on the lower Delta and nearby waters. It sounds like a strong option for anyone who wants to see the broader side of this fishery and why it matters.
