Anglers from all around come to the Orange Beach and Pensacola Florida area to catch all types of fish. Some of the most popular fishing destinations in the region include Gulf Shores, Ft. Morgan, Perido Key, Orange Beach and Pensacola Beach. 

All these places are great for family fishing get-aways, and have plenty of lodging, dining and night life. 

If you want to do some inshore fishing, you’ll want to hit Old River, Perdodo, Bay, Big Lagoon, Escambia Bay, Pensacola Bay and East Bay. Anglers come from all around to fish the grass beds and flats on the coast of Big Lagoon and Old River. They target redfish, flounder, and speckled trout in these fishing hot spots. There are literally hundreds of docks that are lit for ideal night fishing. 

The Gulf shores of Alabama are known for being the best spot for bottom fishing. There are an extensive network if manmade reefs that hold gobs of snapper an grouper —especially during the fall months. If you want to fish for cobia here, visit during spring and troll close to the coastline. If you’re looking to catch mackerel, then come during the summer. For big game action like billfish and tuna, fish during fall and winter. 

What to Fish

Surf fishing -You can catch plenty of ladyfish, redfish, flounder, sharks, and pompano

Inshore fishing -You’ll find there’s no shortage of flounder, speckled trout, sheepshead, jack crevalle and redfish

Near shore fishing – You can land lots of spanish mackerel, king mackerel, sharks, cobia and redfish

Botton fishing  – There’s and abundance of trigger fish, snowy grouper, red grouper, mangrove snapper, black snapper and amberjack

Offshore fishing – Get ready to catch sail fish, mahi mahi, marlin, tuna and swordfish

Where to Fish

Big Lagoon offers some of the best speckle trout fishing in Alabama. To catch the most trout, focus on its grass flats during the day and hit the dock lights at night. If you’re looking to catch lots of redfish, then target the rocks and bridge pilings between Perdido Key and Orange Beach. You’ll also find plenty of sheepshead here as well during winter. 

And if you’re into bottom fishing, then you’ll want to flounder fish the eastern point of Perdido Key. You’ll find public access boat ramps in Cotton Bayou on the eastern side of Orange Beach, and behind a local fisherman’s hangout called Hub Stacie’s —located off Innerarity Point. 

Gear

First things first. It rains a lot during the summer months here, so make sure to wear a light waterproof jacket. This will also help protect you from the cold gusty winds that sometimes kick up during winter.  

Bring plenty of live bait when fishing the Alabama Gulf Coast. Locals say it works best. You can find all the live bait you’ll need at Grays Tackle or Top Gun Tackle in Orange Beach.

If you’re bottom fishing, you’ll definitely need circle hooks and cut bait. Actually, bring lots and lots of cut bait. Chumming is very important. Bring thick leaders to handle the debris on the wrecks. However, make sure you reel quickly in these areas, because sharks and dolphins hang around and could come after your bait. Bring a bat as well —there are plenty of remoras. 

If you’re offshore fishing in Gulf Shores, Alabama, you’ll need a big boat with plenty of gas. While searching for blue water, you’ll burn up some gas. So heading out with a full tank is an absolute must. One of the best ways to fish offshore in Alabama is trolling for marlin. There are plenty of these big game fish in the area. So bring a wide variety of trolling rigs.