Save $10.00
Port guide / Mississippi and Alabama / Alabama
Dauphin Island fishing guide
Dauphin Island is a barrier island about 15 miles long, with the Gulf surf on its south side, the Mississippi Sound grass flats, oyster reefs and bars on its north side, and the mouth of Mobile Bay off its east end. Productive structure includes grass flats, sand bar edges, oil rigs, riprap, passes and pier pilings, and the Mobile Bay side adds deep water. It is also home base for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo every July.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
NOAA tides, Dauphin Island, AL (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Dauphin Island. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good |
| Black drum | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Red snapper | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: June, July, August, September
Trout are here all year but most consistent in summer and early fall, so work the Mississippi Sound grass flats, bar edges and oyster reefs with topwaters and soft plastics.
Redfish
Peak: August, September, October
Inshore fishing is good in winter and spring, and from late summer into fall big schools stack along the surf ahead of the spawn and bull reds gather on Dixey Bar at the mouth of Mobile Bay.
Flounder
Peak: April, May, September, October
Spring and fall are best, so fish the passes and channels on the way out, and remember Alabama closes flounder harvest for all of November.
Sheepshead
Peak: February, March
They live on hard structure like pilings, rigs and riprap all year, and the spring spawn brings the most fish and the biggest ones.
Black drum
Peak: January, February, March
Fish the bay and Sound structure in the cold months, when black drum are one of the main inshore targets.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: June, July, August
In summer they run the surf and the estuary mouths, and casting small spoons and jigs from the beach or a small boat will catch them.
King mackerel
Peak: June, July, August, September
Kings show up nearshore in summer and usually hang around through October unless an early cold front pushes them out.
Red snapper
Peak: June, July
Fish the state's nearshore and offshore artificial reefs, and report every snapper through Snapper Check before you take it off the boat.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Alabama private anglers and state-licensed charters
Opened Friday, May 22, 2026, in state and federal waters, open seven days a week until the end of the year or until Alabama's quota is met, with MRD announcing any closure ahead of time.
Alabama Marine Resources Division (ADCNR), 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federally permitted for-hire vessels
Opened 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2026, and closed 12:01 a.m. October 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries (as reported by Alabama Marine Resources Division), 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Flounder, Alabama waters
Recreational and commercial flounder harvest is closed for the month of November every year.
Alabama Marine Resources Division (ADCNR), annual, current regulation as of 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Alabama and federal waters
Open when federal waters are open, and closed every year in January and February and again in June and July.
Alabama Marine Resources Division (ADCNR), 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, federal waters
Recreational season ran from 12:01 a.m. September 1, 2026, to 12:01 a.m. October 1, 2026, and Alabama is open when federal waters are open.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
Recreational season ran from September 1, 2026, to 12:01 a.m. October 14, 2026, and Alabama is open when federal waters are open.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Beach
Dauphin Island Gulf surf
There's about 15 miles of beach, and the Gulf side along the south shore often produces, with the west end the quietest stretch.
- Flats
Mississippi Sound flats north of the island
Seagrass flats, oyster reefs and sand bars on the north side hold trout, reds and flounder.
- Bay
Mouth of Mobile Bay
The deep water and structure between Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan hold a lot of fish.
- Pass
Dixey Bar
This bar at the mouth of Mobile Bay near Fort Morgan is the fall spot for bull redfish.
- Pier
East End Landing fishing pier
This 250 foot public pier runs out into the mouth of Mobile Bay, right beside two public launches.
- Reef
Alabama artificial reef zones
MRD runs inshore, nearshore and offshore reefs out to 55 nautical miles for snapper, triggerfish, sheepshead, red drum and flounder, and the coordinates can be downloaded.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billy Goat Hole boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Bienville Blvd., east end of Dauphin Island, AL |
| Little Billy Goat Hole boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | East end of Dauphin Island, AL |
| East End Landing launches and fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | East end of Dauphin Island, AL (30.2508, -88.0759) |
| Ted Middleton Jr. Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Battleship Parkway (Causeway), across from USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile Bay |
| Delta Port Marina (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Coden, AL, west side of Mobile Bay |
| Shell Belt Road public ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Shell Belt Road, Bayou La Batre, AL |
| Fort Morgan boat launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Next to the Fort Morgan Pier, Fort Morgan, AL (across the mouth of Mobile Bay) |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Local shops and guides. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle
| Shop | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Speck Tackle (on the fuel dock at Dauphin Island Marina) (opens in a new tab) | 650 Lemoyne Drive, Dauphin Island, AL 36528 | 251-293-3994 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Captain T's Fishing and Outdoor Adventures (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Reel Gypsy Fishing (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Gray Gulf Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Ugly Fishing LLC (Mobile Bay, Daphne) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Coastal Blue Persuasion Fishing (Mobile) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
usually mid July, on Dauphin Island
2027: July 16 to 18 (94th ADSFR)Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually July, run alongside the Rodeo
2027: July 10 (69th RMYAT)
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Dauphin Island, asked and answered
When is the best time to fish Dauphin Island for speckled trout?
Trout bite all year, but summer and early fall are the most consistent. Work the grass flats, bar edges and oyster reefs on the Mississippi Sound side with topwaters and soft plastics.
Where do I launch a boat on Dauphin Island?
The east end has Billy Goat Hole, Little Billy Goat Hole and two launches at East End Landing. On the Mobile Bay side, the Ted Middleton Jr. ramp on the Causeway and Delta Port Marina in Coden are other options.
Can I keep flounder in November in Alabama?
No. Alabama closes recreational and commercial flounder harvest for all of November. Spring and fall are the best flounder seasons, so get your fall fishing done in September and October.
When is the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo?
It is held on Dauphin Island in July. The official site lists the 94th rodeo for July 16 to 18, 2027, and the Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament for July 10, 2027.
What tide station and marine forecast should I use for Dauphin Island?
NOAA station 8735180 at Dauphin Island has tide predictions and also reports water temperature and wind. For the nearshore Gulf, use NWS zone GMZ650, coastal waters from Pensacola to Pascagoula out 20 nautical miles.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Dauphin Island
Sources for this guide (21), last checked 2026-10-26
- dauphinislandmarina.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/things-to-do/water-activities/coastal-alabama-boat-launches (opens in a new tab)
- outdooralabama.com/articles/boating-access-continues-improve-alabama-gulf-coast (opens in a new tab)
- outdooralabama.com/articles/red-snapper-season-opens-7-day-week-starting-may-22 (opens in a new tab)
- outdooralabama.com/fishing/saltwater-recreational-size-creel-limits (opens in a new tab)
- adsfr.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- alabama.travel/places-to-go/ugly-fishing-llc (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-greater-amberj (opens in a new tab)
- fox10tv.com/2026/03/20/billy-goat-hole-boat-ramp-reopens-dauphin-island (opens in a new tab)
- gameandfishmag.com/editorial/best-inshore-fishing-dauphin-island/528701 (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/fishing/fall-fishing-migration/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/fishing-seasons (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/fishing/fishing-seasons/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/things-to-do/fishing/?page=1 (opens in a new tab)
- outdooralabama.com/mrd-season-closures-notices-and-updates (opens in a new tab)
- outdooralabama.com/saltwater-fishing/artificial-reefs (opens in a new tab)
- townofdauphinisland.org/beaches (opens in a new tab)
- townofdauphinisland.org/things-to-do/captain-t%E2%80%99s-fishing-and-outdoor-adventures (opens in a new tab)
- townofdauphinisland.org/things-to-do/gray-gulf-charters (opens in a new tab)
- townofdauphinisland.org/things-to-do/reel-gypsy-fishing (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Dauphin Island
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.