Does Mobile, AL Have Good Fishing? (A Complete Guide)

Mobile is one of the most popular fishing locations on the Gulf Coast. Many anglers want to know how Mobile compares to other major fishing destinations.

Mobile is a world-class fishery offering great fishing for flounder, gag grouper, king mackerel, redfish, sheepshead, red snapper, vermillion snapper, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, and tripletail.

It’s also important to note that Mobile is a world-class fishing destination that attracts anglers from different parts of the world. Fishing in Mobile is good year-round.

redfish caught
(Image courtesy of Lost Bay Guide Service (Orange Beach, AL) & Fishing Booker)

Best Species to Fish for in Mobile 

As you can see, fishing is good in Mobile. Also, anglers can experience fishing in the region year-round. Among the best species to fish for in the area are flounder, gag grouper, king mackerel, redfish, sheepshead, red snapper, vermillion snapper, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, and tripletail.

Mobile Fishing Quality: Species Breakdown

1. Redfish 

Redfish bite well in Mobile year-round. The best months to target redfish in the area are January, March – July, and September – December. Fishing for redfish is less productive in the region in the late winter and in the late summer. Meaher State Park and Dog River are the top fishing spots to target redfish in the area.  

2. Tripletail 

Tripletail is another fish that anglers can target during their Mobile fishing adventures. A season to fish for tripletail in the region starts in April and ends in December.

Tripletail fishing in the region is the most productive during the summer and fall months. The worst time of the year to target tripletail in the area is between January and March. 

3. Sheepshead 

Oftentimes, anglers catch sheepshead during their Mobile fishing trips. The best times of the year to target sheepshead in the area are between January and May and between October and December.

The worst times of the year to fish for sheepshead in Mobile are between June and July. Gulf State Park Pier is the best place to fish for sheepshead in the region. 

4. Speckled Trout 

Mobile offers good speckled trout fishing. It’s possible to fish for speckled trout throughout the year. The best months to target speckled trout in the area are January, March-August and November. September is the worst time of the year to fish for speckled trout in the region. Speckled trout can be found in the Dog River and in the waters around Meaher State Park.  

5. Flounder 

Mobile is the perfect place to target flounder. It’s possible to fish for flounder in the region throughout the year. The season to fish for flounder begins in March and ends in December.

The best months to experience flounder fishing in the region are March-August and October – December. January is the worst time of the year to fish for flounder in the area. It’s a good idea to fish for flounder from Gulf State Park Pier. 

6. Gag Grouper 

Anglers choose to target gag grouper during fishing adventures in Mobile. The best time of the year to experience gag grouper fishing in the area is between July and October. According to the local laws, it’s forbidden to catch gag grouper in the region between January and June.

Oftentimes, fishermen catch a huge gag grouper during their fishing trips in Mobile. A lot of gag grouper can be found in the waters around the Barrier Islands. 

7. Red Snapper 

Fishing for red snapper in Mobile is good throughout the year. Red snapper is the most active in January, between March and July, and between September and December.

Fishing for red snapper is less productive in February and in August. It makes a lot of sense to go fishing in Meaher State Park and Dog River if you want to catch red snapper during your fishing trip in Mobile.   

8. Vermilion Snapper

It’s possible to fish for vermilion snapper in the waters of Mobile year-round. A peak season to fish for vermilion snapper in the area starts in the early spring and ends in the early winter.

The worst time of the year to target vermilion snapper in the region is between January and February. The waters around the Barrier Islands are one of the best fishing spots to target vermilion snapper.  

9. King Mackerel

Fishermen can also catch king mackerel during their Mobile fishing adventures. A season to fish for king mackerel in the region starts in the late spring and ends in the late fall. Summer is the best time of the year to target king mackerel in the local waters.

The worst time of the year to target king mackerel in Mobile is between January and March and between November and December. It would be better to go fishing for king mackerel at Gulf State Park Pier.      

10. Spanish Mackerel

Spanish mackerel is one of the top targeted species in Mobile. A Spanish mackerel fishing season in the area starts in May and ends in November.  The best time of the year to fish for Spanish mackerel in the region is between the early summer and the early fall. Gulf State Park Pier is an ideal place to target Spanish mackerel in the area.    

Recommended Fishing Charters in Mobile, AL

These Mobile-area charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing ChartersLocation
Sea Dawg CharterGulf Shores, AL
Delta Fly FishingMobile, AL
Off The Hook ChartersGulf Shores, AL
Off The Hook Fishing ChartersOrange Beach, AL
Bama Slam Inshore AdventuresGulf Shores, AL
Hooked Up ChartersOrange Beach, AL
Shallow Intentions FishingDauphin Island, AL
Stressed Out ChartersGulf Shores, AL
Middle Bay Fishing ChartersFairhope, AL
Hookmaster ChartersGulf Shores, AL
Lost Bay Guide ServiceOrange Beach, AL
Show N Tail Fishing ChartersDauphin Island, AL
In Too Deep ChartersGulf Shores, AL

Does Mobile Offer Good Fishing? 

Inshore

Mobile offers excellent inshore fishing. Good places for inshore fishing in Mobile include bays, rivers, deltas, etc. Speckled trout have been always the main target for those anglers, who fish in the area’s inshore waters.

That means that anglers have a good chance to enjoy the speckled trout bite when fishing in inshore waters. The main targets inshore in the region are also flounder, redfish, and tripletail.   

Nearshore 

It’s possible to fish in the area’s nearshore waters as well. There are many good fishing spots in the area between Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. When fishing in the area’s nearshore waters, anglers choose to target groupers as well as snappers. 

Offshore 

Many anglers choose to experience deep-sea fishing in Mobile. Offshore trips are longer than inshore and nearshore trips. That’s why it’s so important for anglers to prepare food as well as drinks for their fishing adventures. 

Offshore fishing trips allow anglers to explore the depths of the Gulf of Mexico and test their skills against such species as amberjack, mahi-mahi, red snapper, and wahoo. 

Marlin is also one of the top species to target in offshore waters. Anglers need to go up to 100 miles offshore to catch marlin in the waters of Mobile. On top of that, anglers can target blackfin tuna as well as yellowfin tuna during their offshore fishing trips in Mobile. However, anglers have to go 60 miles offshore to get a tuna bite.  

amberjack caught
(Image courtesy of Sea Dawg Charter (Gulf Shores, AL) & Fishing Booker)

Mobile Fishing Compared to the Rest of the Gulf Coast?

Fishing in Mobile is excellent. The destination is well-known due to its barrier islands that attract so many fishermen. The region impresses anglers with its diversity of fishing spots.  

It is the place where several rivers meet with the ocean. So, anglers have an opportunity to fish in the delta of the rivers. Such fishing spots attract a lot of fish. That’s why fishing is usually very productive here. 

It’s possible to go fishing in the waters of the bays as well. There are also piers in the port city where anglers can experience fishing. For example, anglers can fish from Fairhope Municipal Pier and Gulf State Park Pier.

The chance to catch a trophy-sized fish is always high in the region. Oftentimes, anglers catch huge red snappers in the waters of Mobile. No matter where you choose to fish in the area, you’ll have unforgettable fishing adventures in Mobile.  

Hot Fishing Spots in Mobile

There are many great fishing spots to explore during Mobile fishing adventures. The best places to go fishing in Mobile, Alabama include Meaher State Park, the Barrier Islands, the Fairhope Municipal Pier, the Dog River as well as the Gulf State Park Pier. 

Best Season & Times to Fish Mobile

Fishing is good in Mobile year-round. A peak Mobile fishing season starts in May and ends in November. It’s the time of the year when the vast majority of fish species are active in the area. 

The vast majority of fish species feed actively during the warmer months of the year. On the other hand, many fish species are inactive when the temperatures of water decrease. 

It all depends on the species of fish that you are going to target during a Mobile fishing trip. Anglers need to know what species are active in the area and where their favorite species can be found. 

Anglers get good results during a fishing trip in Mobile if they prepare for it properly. It would be better to plan a Mobile fishing trip ahead of time. Study the bite times of your targeted species carefully and decide where you’ll go during your fishing adventures in the area.

Is Nightfishing Good in Mobile?

Mobile gives anglers an opportunity to enjoy fishing under the lights at night. Fishing in Mobile has many great benefits. 

It’s important to know that night fishing trips in Mobile are very productive. Anglers have an opportunity to fish after sunset and before sunrise. Oftentimes, fish activity increases, and fish bite during these hours. 

When fishing in Mobile at night, anglers can target such species as redfish, spotted seatrout as well as flounder. These species of fish feed actively at night. Anglers often catch big fish during their night fishing adventures in the area.    

Many anglers choose to fish at night from piers. Night pier fishing provides fishermen with a lot of fun.   

It’s a good idea to fish at night during hot summer months. Fishing under the sun can be hard. So, anglers find it comfortable to fish at night. Night trips allow fishermen to avoid the summer heat and enjoy fishing.   

However, fishing at night is not easy. Beginners usually find it difficult to fish in the dark. That’s why nighttime fishing trips are recommended to experienced anglers. It’s also important to note that night fishing is not a good choice for anglers, who are interested in seeing nature and observing wildlife during their trips.  

Is Beach Fishing Good in Mobile?

Shore fishing is a popular type of fishing in the region. Mobile beaches allow anglers to experience surf fishing. 

It’s worth noting that some beaches have piers where fishing is possible. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores have fishing spots that have gained huge popularity among anglers. 

Beach fishing is good in the area. Anglers, who fish on Mobile’s beaches, have a chance to land a trophy-sized fish. When fishing from beaches in Mobile, anglers can target such species as black drum, bluefish, speckled trout, Spanish mackerel, pompano, redfish, sharks, and others.   

Mobile Fishing Charter Breakdown

– Is it a good idea?

Of course, it makes a lot of sense to visit Mobile if you have a passion for fishing. Anglers can try different fishing techniques and target specific species during their fishing trips. Mobile is a fishing destination that has become popular among Grouper and Snapper lovers.   

– Is it a good place for charters? 

The region impresses anglers with its flexibility. A lot of charters are available for anglers in the region. So, anglers find it easy to book their perfect fishing trip in Mobile. 

Beginners should consider booking half-day fishing trips. Also, it makes sense to book a half-day trip if traveling is not going to take too much time. A half-day trip is a good option for anglers, who are interested in family fishing adventures in Mobile.   

On the other hand, it would be better to book a full-day fishing trip if you are planning to go further offshore to fish in the deep waters. Full-day trips make it possible for anglers to explore more fishing spots and increase their chance to catch a big fish. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Mobile, check out this article. To learn how good fishing in St. Augustine is, check out this article. To learn how good fishing in Fort Lauderdale is, check out this article. To learn how good fishing in Aruba is, check out this article.

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