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Port guide / Mississippi and Alabama / Alabama
Fort Morgan fishing guide
Fort Morgan is the far west end of the peninsula that runs 20 miles down Highway 180 from Gulf Shores to Mobile Point, with the Gulf surf on one side, Bon Secour Bay on the other and the mouth of Mobile Bay at the tip. Gulf Shores fishes its pier, Little Lagoon and the Intracoastal close to town, while Fort Morgan puts you right on Dixey Bar, the three mile sand bar beside the ship channel where bull reds school every October, and on quiet surf at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. It is a long way from the tackle shops, so most locals load up on live bait in Gulf Shores or at Fort Morgan Marina before they head down.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
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.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Fort Morgan. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Fort Morgan, Mobile Point, AL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Dauphin Island, AL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Fort Morgan. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Great Days Outdoors Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report (opens in a new tab) Captain Experiences Fort Morgan fishing reports (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Fort Morgan. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Florida pompano | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Whiting | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Cobia | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Black drum | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Redfish
Peak: April, May, June, September, October
October is the spawn, when bull reds school on Dixey Bar at the mouth of Mobile Bay, best on a falling tide, and locals also soak a big chunk of dead mullet for them around Fort Morgan.
Speckled trout
Peak: April, May, June, September, October
Fish the Bon Secour Bay side at the end of Fort Morgan Road with live shrimp or minnow-style jigs as fall trout follow the shrimp into the bays.
Flounder
Peak: May, June
Drag bull minnows or a quarter ounce jig slowly through the passes, channels and beach troughs in the fall, and stop keeping them in November when Alabama closes flounder.
Florida pompano
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August
Surf fish with sand fleas, ghost shrimp or peeled dead shrimp and Fishbites on a double hook rig, or hop a pompano jig off the first sandbar.
Whiting
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
The same surf baits on light tackle catch whiting along the Gulf beaches.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: May, June, July, August
Troll small spoons nearshore, and they usually hang on through October unless an early front pushes them out.
King mackerel
Peak: May, June, July, August
Troll a cigar minnow nearshore off the peninsula.
Cobia
Peak: April, May, June, July
In early fall sight cast live bait to cobia around buoys and anchored shrimp boats, and watch for them with manta rays near the mouth of Mobile Bay.
Black drum
Peak: April, May, June
Black drum run the beaches at times and take the same surf baits.
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.
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, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Flounder, Alabama waters
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 state waters are 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 stays closed until September 1, 2027. Alabama state waters follow federal waters.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Flats
Dixey Bar
A sand bar about three miles long and 5 to 10 feet deep on the east side of the Mobile Bay ship channel, where bull reds push up to feed every fall.
- Beach
Mobile Point, end of Fort Morgan Road
Fish the Gulf side for surf species or the bay side for trout, reds and flounder.
- Beach
Fort Morgan beaches and inlets
In October bait stacks up around Fort Morgan and the passes, and live baitfish on a Carolina rig catch reds, flounder and mangrove snapper.
- Beach
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Surf fish from the refuge beach access, or walk the Jeff Friend Trail to fish Little Lagoon, and Gator Lake about a mile in holds both salt and fresh water fish.
- Pass
Little Lagoon and Lagoon Pass
Lagoon Pass gives up surf species and big croakers at the mouth, with wade fishing to the north and a small parking fee for non-residents.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft. Morgan Boat Ramp (Fort Morgan Pier launch) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 259 State Highway 180, Gulf Shores, AL (inside Fort Morgan Historical Park, past the ferry landing) |
| Mo's Landing (Lagoon Park) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 18068 Fort Morgan Rd, Gulf Shores, AL |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (4)
Showing all 4 shops
- MarinaLive bait
Fort Morgan Marina
Bait: live bait, frozen bait
1577 Hwy. 180 W., Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Dock store and fuel dock near the west end of the peninsula; fall and winter hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. with fuel and bait until 3 p.m.
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Beach Bum Outdoors
Bait: live shrimp, bull minnows
On the right on Highway 59 just before the Intracoastal bridge in Gulf Shores, the last good stop for live bait before the run down Highway 180.
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Hooked Up Bait & Tackle
Bait: live shrimp, bull minnows
South over the Intracoastal Canal bridge on Highway 59, turn left at the light and it is immediately on the left.
- Pier shop
Gulf State Park Pier bait and tackle shop
Bait: frozen shrimp
Sells frozen shrimp and Sabiki rigs so you can catch your own bait off the pier.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Nicole Fishing Charters (Fort Morgan Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Off the Hook Charters (Fort Morgan Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| 6 Deep Charter Fishing (Fort Morgan Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Peacemaker Charters (Fort Morgan Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Trick 'Em Charters (Fort Morgan Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Another Fish Charters (Fort Morgan Marina) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
usually early June
2027: June 4 to 6Blue Marlin Grand Championship (Orange Beach) (opens in a new tab)
usually mid July
MBGFC Labor Day Invitational (Orange Beach) (opens in a new tab)
Labor Day weekend
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Fort Morgan, asked and answered
When do bull reds show up on Dixey Bar?
October is the peak, during the redfish spawn. The reds push up on the shallow bar beside the Mobile Bay ship channel to feed, and a falling tide is the best time to look for schools.
Where can I get live bait for Fort Morgan?
Fort Morgan Marina on Highway 180 sells live and frozen bait, but call ahead because it is at the far end of the peninsula. If they are out, Beach Bum Outdoors and Hooked Up Bait & Tackle by the Intracoastal bridge in Gulf Shores sell live shrimp and bull minnows.
Do I have to pay to fish at Fort Morgan?
Fort Morgan State Historic Site charges admission for every activity, fishing included. The Baldwin County launch at the Fort Morgan pier has no launch fee, and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge has no entry fee, though you still need an Alabama saltwater license.
Can I keep flounder in November?
No. Alabama closes flounder harvest for all of November, so fish the passes and beach troughs in October.
What tide station should I use for Fort Morgan?
Use NOAA station 8734635, Fort Morgan Mobile Point, for tide predictions. It does not report water temperature or wind, so check Dauphin Island, 8735180, across the bay mouth. The NWS zone for the Gulf side is GMZ650.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Fort Morgan
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-27
- fortmorganmarinaal.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/alabama/gulf-shores/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- greatdaysoutdoors.com/alabama-saltwater-fishing-report-for-october-16-22-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshoresal.gov/1221/Mos-Landing (opens in a new tab)
- outdooralabama.com/fishing/saltwater-recreational-size-creel-limits (opens in a new tab)
- sites.google.com/asklocalit.com/fortmorganmarina/charters (opens in a new tab)
- beachguide.com/gulf-shores/fishing/6-deep-charter-fishing (opens in a new tab)
- beachguide.com/gulf-shores/fishing/off-the-hook-charters (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/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-greater-amberj (opens in a new tab)
- florabama.com/fishing-rodeo (opens in a new tab)
- fws.gov/refuge/bon-secour/visit-us/activities/fishing (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/events/best-fall-events-gulf-shores-orange-beach/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/fishing/fall-fishing-migration/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/things-to-do/fishing/best-shore-fishing-spots-in-alabamas-beaches/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/things-to-do/fishing/little-lagoon-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/things-to-do/fishing/live-bait/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/things-to-do/fishing/redfish-invasion/ (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/things-to-do/fishing/whats-biting-surf-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- obawebsite.com/high-stakes-on-the-high-seas-previewing-the-blue-marlin-grand-championship (opens in a new tab)
- outdooralabama.com/alabama-saltwater-season-closures-notices-and-updates (opens in a new tab)
- outdooralabama.com/boating-access-coastal/ft-morgan-boat-ramp (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Fort Morgan
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.