What's Biting on Alabama's Beaches
Plan your next fishing trip on Alabama’s Beaches to catch a variety of offshore and inshore species. Discover the best times of year for fishing in the Gulf and Alabama fishing seasons for state-regulated species like red snapper, amberjack, and triggerfish. Whether you like to surf fish, cast off from a pier, angle in inshore waters, or head offshore with a charter, fishing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is a must-do for anglers of all skill levels.
The Alabama Gulf Coast gives anglers so many fantastic fishing opportunities. Below is a list of the best species to target, where to cast off, and fishing seasons on Alabama’s Beaches.
Spring Fishing Season (March – May)
As temperatures warm in the Gulf, many species move closer to shore, providing anglers with plenty of fishing opportunities. This season is ideal for booking an inshore charter or bringing your own vessel down to search the waterways for species like redfish, trout, and black drum. If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, cast off into the surf to reel in pompano, flounder, or sheepshead.
Summer Fishing Season (June - August)
Sizzle into summer by casting off the pier or booking an offshore fishing charter in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Fort Morgan. As you venture into the deep waters of the Gulf, you’ll find summer fish species such as wahoo, tripletail, and mahi. Memorial Day weekend also kicks off red snapper season for private recreational anglers.
Fall Fishing Season (September - November)
Fall’s comfortable breezes bring in desirable inshore species such as Jack Crevalle and flounder, as well as offshore fish like amberjack, tuna, and triggerfish, making it an ideal time for a charter trip. The Gulf State Park Pier is also an excellent spot for fall fishing in Gulf Shores, as anglers can reel in Spanish and King mackerel and flounder. One of the most sought-after Gulf species is redfish, and October is the best month to catch this fish because they are bigger, hungrier, and more aggressive.
Winter Fishing Season (December - February)
While many anglers stow away their gear in the winter, those who brave the chill are rewarded with delicious seafood dinners. The uncrowded beaches are perfect for surf fishing, and inshore species like pompano, sheepshead, whiting, flounder, and trout are still biting. With less competition, winter fishing in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores offers anglers plenty of space to cast off.
Fishing
If you plan to fish, whether by boat, pier, or on the shores, when in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan, you will need a saltwater fishing license. You can easily purchase a license online from Outdoor Alabama. Those fishing on a charter boat trip do not need a license, as the boat’s license covers passengers.
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Alabama Regulated Fishing Seasons
It’s always fishing season on Alabama’s Beaches, but there are a few species that have state-regulated seasons and can only be kept during certain times of the year. These dates are set to help maintain fish populations and avoid overfishing. If you happen to reel in these species outside of their season, be sure to safely return them to the Gulf.
Red Snapper Season
Red Snapper Season
Known as the “Red Snapper Capital of the World,” Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are the best places to find these remarkable and delicious fish. The 2026 federal red snapper season for for-hire vessels opens on 12:01 am on June 1 and will close on 12:01 am on October 26. The Alabama red snapper season has not been set.
The daily bag limit is two red snappers per person per day, with a minimum total length of 16 inches. Any angler over 16 years of age must have a saltwater fishing license unless they are fishing on a charter boat.
Amberjack Season
Amberjack Season
The recreational harvest of greater amberjack in federal and Alabama state waters is expected to open on August 1 and close on October 31. The bag limit for greater amberjack is one per person, with a 34” fork length.
Grouper Season
Grouper Season
Gag Grouper harvest in Alabama is conducted in accordance with federal regulations. The commercial and recreational seasons of gag grouper in Gulf waters are closed from January 1 to April 31. Scamp and black grouper are closed from January 1 to March 31. The dates for the private recreational harvest of gag grouper will be announced later in 2026.
The bag limit for scamp and black grouper is four fish per person. The bag limit for gag grouper is 2 fish per person, with a 4-fish aggregate limit.
Triggerfish Season
Triggerfish Season
The recreational harvest of gray triggerfish in federal and Alabama state waters opens on March 1, 2026, and stays open through May 31, 2026. Harvest will close on June 1.
Alabama Inshore Slam
Redfish, speckled trout, and flounder are some of the most popular species to target when fishing on Alabama’s Beaches. Anglers who catch all three on a single trip land the coveted Alabama Inshore Slam, a coastal fishing feat. These species can be caught year-round from the surf or on an inshore charter; however, early spring and fall are the best times to achieve this, since the beaches and waterways are less crowded.
Reel
Pack your bags and get ready for a fishing adventure in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. The Alabama Gulf Coast hosts numerous fishing opportunities so that you can get your fix. Choose from deep sea fishing, off-shore fishing, in-shore fishing, as well as surf and pure fishing.
Book a fishing charter to make things easier as permits will be provided along with your charter experience. There are also a wide variety of options to choose from in terms of time-length and also experience levels.
