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In this week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report, host Nick Williams talks with Dip McMillan of Dippi Outdoors about the impact of heavy rain on the upper Delta, the approaching fall crappie bite, and the importance of staying safe when river levels rise. Nick also welcomes Capt. Patric Garmeson of Ugly Fishing for a detailed look at how tropical weather and changing salinity affect fishing around the Mobile Bay Causeway and lower Delta.
Dip explains why the recent rainfall could temporarily interrupt what was shaping up to be a strong fall fishing pattern and offers advice on when to return to the water. Patric breaks down how rainfall throughout Alabama influences Mobile Bay, why speckled trout are particularly sensitive to major freshwater influxes, and how anglers can locate redfish, trout, and flounder when conditions are constantly changing. He also shares productive lure choices, including Slick Juniors, Z-Man soft plastics, Vudu Shrimp, and Rat-L-Traps.
Conditions Recap
Heavy rainfall and the threat of additional tropical weather dominate this week’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report. Before the latest storms, conditions across the upper Delta were steadily improving. Water temperatures had dropped into the lower 80s, with some areas reaching approximately 79 degrees, and fish were beginning to show signs of transitioning into their fall patterns. However, repeated downpours and the possibility of additional heavy rain could quickly reverse that progress.
Dip McMillan says the upper Delta is particularly vulnerable to high, muddy water and strong current. Even if the fish remain in the system, rising river levels can make traditional crappie and bream patterns difficult to establish. The additional current also creates serious boating hazards, including floating logs and submerged debris.
Farther south, Capt. Patric Garmeson explains that the total amount of rain falling throughout the Mobile Bay watershed may be more important than rainfall directly along the coast. A relatively fast-moving storm producing a few inches of rain may have limited long-term effects, especially with river levels already relatively low. However, widespread heavy rainfall across central and northern Alabama could send substantial freshwater downstream, disrupting salinity and fishing conditions throughout Mobile Bay for several weeks.
Before the storms, strong tides had pushed unusually salty water well into the lower Delta. Patric noted that salinity near Meaher State Park had climbed dramatically, reaching approximately 16 PSU compared with the much lower readings normally found in that area. Those changes were drawing saltwater species farther north, but they also caused fish to move frequently between rivers, flats, and areas of structure.
The outlook remains promising once conditions stabilize. Additional October cool fronts should continue lowering water temperatures, and anglers can expect crappie to return to structure while trout, redfish, and flounder settle into more recognizable fall patterns. Until then, changing river stages, water clarity, current, and salinity will determine where the best opportunities develop.
Upper Delta Fishing Report With Dip McMillan
Dip McMillan of Dippi Outdoors says the upper Mobile-Tensaw Delta was beginning to set up for excellent fall fishing before widespread rainfall interrupted the transition. Water temperatures were falling toward the upper 70s, and the conditions were moving in the right direction for crappie and other freshwater species to become more predictable.
Unfortunately, the recent rain and additional storms in the forecast could temporarily shut down that developing bite. Dip expects rising water, muddy conditions, and increased current to make fishing difficult until the system has an opportunity to flush out and stabilize. He emphasizes that the bigger concern is not simply catching fish but determining whether conditions are safe enough to justify launching a boat.
Where To Fish When The Delta Rises
When the upper Delta becomes flooded, Dip says one of the last areas he considers is the Busby Landing area off Highway 225, sometimes referred to locally as Bayou Basin or Bay Minette Creek. That area can occasionally remain fishable longer than other parts of the Delta, but once it becomes muddy and begins carrying heavy current, he considers the entire system difficult to fish.
Catfish may still provide an opportunity when the water is moving, but Dip does not expect crappie and bream to remain as cooperative in the strongest current. He cautions anglers against trying to force a trip when river levels are high, particularly because logs and other debris can move rapidly downstream or remain hidden beneath the surface.
Nick agrees that the risks increase considerably when fishing from smaller boats or taking children onto the water. Alternatives such as public fishing lakes or Big Creek Lake may be worth considering if their conditions remain manageable, but both anglers agree that waiting for safer conditions is sometimes the best decision.
Fall Crappie Fishing Outlook
Despite the short-term challenges, Dip remains optimistic about the weeks ahead. He says one or two additional October cool fronts could push water temperatures into the mid-70s, which is when the fall crappie bite should begin developing in earnest.
Once river levels return to normal, Dip expects crappie to begin concentrating around structure in approximately six to ten feet of water. Rather than spending time searching for suspended fish in open water, anglers should focus on submerged wood, brush, and other cover in the appropriate depth range.
He expects that structure-oriented pattern to remain productive through October and November and potentially into the first week of December. As water temperatures continue falling toward winter, the fish will gradually begin suspending again and moving away from some of their earlier fall holding areas.
For anglers planning their next trip, Dip’s main recommendation is patience. The fish were already responding to cooling conditions before the rain, and once the river settles down, he expects them to return to structure and begin feeding aggressively.
Dippi Outdoors Youth Hunting Events
While fishing conditions have been difficult, Dip McMillan has continued organizing youth outdoor activities through Dippi Outdoors. The organization recently completed another giveaway with support from several local donors and outdoor businesses, and additional giveaways are planned as weather conditions improve.
Dip also discussed the upcoming annual Dippi Outdoors youth squirrel hunt scheduled for December 5 at Hubbard’s Landing. The event has become an important part of the organization’s effort to introduce young people to the outdoors and provide opportunities for families to explore the Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
Last year’s event attracted approximately 50 young participants, and Dip hopes to build on that success. Beyond the hunting itself, he says one of the most rewarding aspects is showing children the unique environment of the upper Delta, including its enormous cypress trees, backwater habitats, and extensive public lands.
Nick participated in the previous event and plans to volunteer again. Both anglers emphasize that these experiences are about much more than harvesting game. They provide opportunities for children to develop outdoor skills, spend time with family, and gain a greater appreciation for the Delta.
Lower Delta And Mobile Bay Causeway Fishing Report With Capt. Patric Garmeson
Capt. Patric Garmeson of Ugly Fishing joins Nick for an in-depth discussion about fall fishing around the Mobile Bay Causeway, the lower Mobile-Tensaw Delta, and the effects that tropical systems can have on the fishery.
Patric says the immediate outlook depends heavily on how much rainfall the approaching system produces and where that rainfall falls. Although coastal wind and rain receive most of the attention during tropical weather, the amount of freshwater entering Mobile Bay from farther upstream can have a much greater and longer-lasting effect on inshore fishing.
How Tropical Rainfall Affects Mobile Bay Fishing
Patric explains that Mobile Bay collects runoff from a massive watershed extending throughout much of Alabama. Heavy rainfall around Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, and other upstream areas eventually moves south through the Alabama and Tombigbee river systems before entering the Delta and Mobile Bay.
If a storm moves through quickly and produces roughly three inches of rain or less across much of the watershed, Patric believes the system may recover without major long-term disruptions. However, a slower-moving storm producing six to ten inches across large portions of Alabama could create significant river flooding and send enormous volumes of freshwater toward the coast.
Under those more severe conditions, Patric says anglers could face several weeks of high water, strong current, muddy conditions, and unusually low salinity. In some cases, the effects could last four to six weeks before the system returns to a more typical pattern.
Speckled trout are generally the first major inshore species to be affected. Patric says trout fishing around the Causeway can change from consistent to extremely difficult after a major freshwater event. Whether the fish leave the area entirely or simply become harder to locate, their availability to anglers can decline dramatically.
Sheepshead and black drum can also be affected, particularly when reduced visibility makes feeding more difficult. Redfish and flounder tend to be more tolerant of muddy or relatively fresh water and can continue feeding close to the bottom, where some higher-salinity water may remain.
Patric also points out that increased river flow changes how anglers must present their baits. During major floods, the surface water may continue flowing south even while incoming tidal water moves north along the bottom. This creates complicated current patterns that can make otherwise productive locations difficult to fish.
Finding Redfish, Trout And Flounder During The Fall Transition
Before the approaching storms, Patric had been catching fish throughout the lower Delta, but he says the bite was changing almost daily. Locations that produced excellent action one day could be nearly lifeless the next, forcing him to cover considerably more water than usual.
On one recent trip, Patric and his customers traveled through multiple river systems looking for productive areas. Some locations that previously held fish and bait were suddenly empty, while nearby rivers were full of jumping mullet, feeding pogies, and working birds.
He attributes much of that movement to unusually high tides and large changes in salinity. Strong flood tides had pushed saltwater well north of the Causeway, encouraging speckled trout and other inshore species to explore areas they might not normally occupy under lower-salinity conditions.
Patric says trout often respond to increasing salinity by moving farther north into the Delta. When he finds productive water south of Interstate 10, he may look farther north on subsequent trips to stay with the fish as conditions change.
Redfish behave somewhat differently. Rather than consistently moving in one direction, Patric believes many redfish travel around relatively defined areas, repeatedly visiting feeding locations throughout the season. Fish-tagging information has shown redfish being recaptured relatively close to where they were originally tagged, even months later, although not necessarily on the exact same piece of structure.
Speckled trout can sometimes establish more predictable patterns during extended periods of high water. When tides keep certain flats flooded for several consecutive days, trout may return to those areas around high tide, creating opportunities for anglers to repeat a successful pattern.
Flounder often behave more like redfish. They may move into a productive area, feed heavily for several days, and then gradually disperse as conditions or available forage change.
The biggest lesson is to avoid becoming too dependent on yesterday’s fishing report. Patric recommends using recent information as a starting point while remaining willing to move until anglers locate bait, favorable conditions, and actively feeding fish.
Finding Productive Clamshell Beds Around The Causeway
One of Patric’s most valuable recommendations for fall fishing is to locate clamshell beds around the Mobile Bay Causeway. He says these hard-bottom areas consistently attract speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and other inshore species throughout the transition into cooler weather.
His preferred search zone extends roughly two to three miles north of the Causeway and a couple of miles south, where scattered clamshell beds provide productive feeding habitat among the surrounding softer Delta bottom.
Patric says some of his best shell-bottom discoveries came through trial and error. On one occasion, he accidentally ran aground and noticed that the bottom felt unusually crunchy while pushing his boat free. Recognizing the extensive shell coverage, he marked the location and returned when the water was higher.
On his first return trip, the spot produced approximately 36 redfish in one hour. It continued producing redfish and speckled trout for years afterward, demonstrating how valuable relatively small areas of hard bottom can be.
Anglers do not need to accidentally ground a boat to locate similar places. Nick recommends using a push pole in shallow water to feel for changes in bottom composition. A jig head dragged across the bottom can also reveal the difference between soft mud and hard shell through the vibration transmitted along braided line.
Patric offers another technique using a Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap. By retrieving the lure close enough to contact the bottom, anglers can identify differences in texture and sometimes bring back shells, small pieces of wood, or other material that reveals what is beneath the boat.
Once a promising shell bed is located, the same Rat-L-Trap can become an effective fishing lure. Patric recommends increasing the retrieve speed slightly so the bait works just above the bottom rather than constantly digging into it. Speckled trout, redfish, and flounder will all strike this presentation.
His advice is to mark productive shell-bottom areas on a GPS and revisit them under different tidal conditions. A location that is too shallow to fish during low water may become an excellent feeding area when the tide rises.
Best Lures And Baits For Fall Fishing In The Lower Delta
Capt. Patric Garmeson says anglers have a wide variety of effective bait options during the fall transition because the lower Delta is holding an abundance of forage. Recent trout catches revealed shrimp, mullet, and glass minnows in the same fish, demonstrating just how diverse their diet can be.
Live shrimp, mullet, pogies, and bull minnows are all effective choices. Anglers can catch their own bait when conditions allow or purchase it from local bait shops. Artificial lures are also producing well and provide a convenient option for covering water while searching for fish.
Slick Junior Soft Plastics
One of Patric’s most dependable artificial lures is the Pure Flats Slick Junior. He recommends Copper Chartreuse, Cracked Pepper, and Swamp Thing, along with Cool Beans, as particularly versatile colors for the changing water conditions around the Causeway.
Patric generally rigs the Slick Junior on a 3/16-ounce or quarter-ounce jig head and works it near the bottom. The bait can also be retrieved through the water column when fish are feeding higher.
What makes the Slick Junior especially valuable is its consistency across seasons and species. Patric considers it a true year-round lure capable of catching speckled trout, redfish, flounder, white trout, and even largemouth bass.
He also discussed the larger Big Slick and smaller Little Slick. The Big Slick can be extremely productive during certain periods, but Patric generally considers it more seasonal when guiding customers. The Little Slick is another versatile option that can be fished on a jig head or swimbait hook and can produce throughout much of the year.
Artificial Shrimp And Paddletail Options
Patric also recommends several artificial shrimp and paddletail presentations. The Z-Man 2.5-inch PrawnstarZ and Vudu Baby Shrimp have been effective when fished beneath popping corks.
For anglers targeting redfish and flounder around shell beds and other bottom structure, he likes the Z-Man 4-inch PaddlerZ rigged on an Eye Strike Texas Eye jig head.
That combination allows anglers to work the lure around clamshell beds with fewer hangups while maintaining a natural paddletail presentation. Patric says it can catch speckled trout as well, but he particularly likes it for redfish and flounder holding close to the bottom.
Rat-L-Traps are another useful option, especially when anglers want to cover water while learning the bottom composition. Nick also mentions traditional inshore lures such as Heddon Spooks, Redfish Magic spinnerbaits, and Got-Cha plugs, although Patric emphasizes that confidence and familiarity with a lure can be just as important as the lure itself.
His overall recommendation is to build confidence in a handful of versatile artificial baits and learn how to work them through different depths and tidal conditions. A dependable soft plastic that catches multiple species throughout the year can be more valuable than constantly changing presentations in search of the newest lure.
