Coastal Alabama

Orange Beach fishing conditions & bite forecast

Orange Beach combines clean pass water at Alabama Point with protected canals, docks, grass, and creek mouths. Use the live dashboard for the latest wind, waves, tides, and marine advisories.

See today’s live Orange Beach report →Find live bait
Primary targetRedfish
Go-to baitShrimp · ¼ oz jighead
Best waterPass edge · canals
State rulesOutdoor Alabama

Where to start

Alabama Point

Fish the color change on incoming water, give the rocks room, and watch for wind opposing the tide.

Ono Island

Pitch shrimp or a small paddletail beneath shaded docks, then move after several clean presentations.

Cotton Bayou

On a falling tide, work creek mouths where bait drains across grass and shell.

Live bait around Orange Beach

J&M Tackle

25125 Canal Rd · 251-981-5460. Live shrimp and minnows, rods, reels, and inshore and offshore tackle.

Caribe Marina Dock Store

28101 Perdido Beach Blvd · 251-980-8410. Live bait, tackle, fuel, drinks, and boat supplies.

Call ahead

Live bait inventory changes quickly. Confirm availability and hours before making a dedicated stop.

What's biting through the year

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Sheepshead pile onto the Alabama Point rocks and Perdido Pass bridge, redfish hole up in the Ono canals, and calm clear days offer sight-fishing to schooled reds.

Spring (Mar–May)

Pompano along the beach, big trout waking up in Cotton Bayou and the back bays, Spanish under the birds off the point, and reds everywhere the tide moves.

Summer (Jun–Aug)

Early reds and trout around Alabama Point, mangrove snapper on the jetties, and the canals producing when boat traffic pushes fish to shade. Watch the afternoon radar.

Fall (Sep–Nov)

Bull redfish school at Perdido Pass, flounder drop out through the cuts (Alabama closes November), and trout regroup over the grass in the bays.

Common questions

What can I catch at Alabama Point?

Redfish on the current seams year-round, sheepshead on the rocks February–April, mangrove snapper in summer, and oversize bull reds during the fall run. Incoming tide brings the clean water.

Where should I fish in Orange Beach when it's windy?

The Ono Island canals and Cotton Bayou stay fishable in most blows. Pitch live shrimp or a paddletail to shaded docks with visible current, and keep moving until you find fish.

What are the Alabama inshore limits?

Redfish: three per person in a 16–26" slot. Trout: six per person, 15–22" slot. Flounder: five at 14", closed in November. Verify current rules with Outdoor Alabama before keeping fish.

Species guides

Rules and official sources

Coastal Alabama regulates redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, and Florida pompano with species-specific size, bag, and seasonal rules.

Alabama and federal waters can have different rules. Confirm jurisdiction, closures, and current limits before keeping fish.