Dauphin Island sits at the intersection of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, creating one of the most diverse fishing environments on the Gulf Coast. This unique position means different species move through these waters year-round, offering anglers consistent action regardless of season. Whether you’re casting from the pier, surf fishing the beaches, or heading offshore, understanding the seasonal patterns transforms good fishing trips into great ones.
Year-Round Residents vs. Seasonal Visitors
Before diving into the monthly breakdown, it’s essential to understand that Dauphin Island waters host two categories of fish: year-round residents that simply change behavior with seasons, and migratory species that arrive and depart on predictable schedules.
Year-round species include redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum. These fish don’t leave; they move between shallow and deep water based on temperature. During winter, they concentrate in deeper channels and holes. Come summer, they spread across the flats and marshes.
Seasonal migrants include Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cobia, tarpon, and various offshore species. These fish follow temperature breaks and baitfish migrations, arriving when waters warm above certain thresholds and departing when temperatures drop.
January: Winter Pattern Fishing
Water temperatures hover around 50-55°F, concentrating fish in predictable locations. This is prime time for sheepshead around any structure – pier pilings, rock jetties, and the bridge. Use fiddler crabs or shrimp on a Carolina rig. Speckled trout school in deep holes and channels, particularly on the bay side. Slow-retrieve soft plastics or live shrimp under popping corks work best. Redfish remain active in shallow water on warm afternoons.
- Best spots: Dauphin Island Bridge pilings, deep holes in the Mississippi Sound, Fort Gaines rocks.
- Techniques: Slow presentations, live bait, fish during the warmest part of the day
February: Pre-Spring Transition
Similar to January but with subtle improvements as water temperatures inch toward 60°F. Sheepshead fishing peaks before the spawning migration offshore. Black drum begin showing up around the bridge and inlet areas. First pompano of the year might appear on warm days. Speckled trout remain in winter patterns but feed more aggressively.
- Best spots: Bridge structure, Ship Channel edges, protected bay waters.
- Techniques: Still slow, but fish respond better to artificial lures
March: Spring Awakening
Water temperatures cross 65°F, triggering increased activity. Pompano arrive in numbers, feeding in the surf zone on sand fleas and shrimp. Cobia scouts (early arrivals) appear, though the main run comes later. Spanish mackerel begin showing offshore. Redfish and trout spread from winter holes to flats. Flounder start their migration from the bay to the Gulf.
- Best spots: Surf zone for pompano, channel edges for trout, nearshore reefs for mackerel.
- Techniques: Pompano rigs in surf, topwater plugs for trout at dawn
April: Prime Spring Fishing
Water hits 70°F, activating most species—cobia migration peaks – sight-fish from boats or pier. Spanish mackerel are abundant near shore. King mackerel arrive at offshore reefs. Pompano surf fishing is excellent. Redfish and trout are in full spring pattern on flats. Flounder thick around the inlet and passes. Tripletail appear around channel markers.
- Best spots: Dauphin Island Pier for cobia, surf for pompano, grass flats for trout.
- Techniques: Live eels or jigs for cobia, gold spoons for mackerel, live shrimp for everything
May: Early Summer Patterns
Water reaches 75°F, spreading fish throughout the system. Tarpon begin appearing in schools. Jack crevalle invade the bay. Spanish mackerel peak continues. Speckled trout on grass flats early morning. Redfish cruise shorelines. Mangrove snapper show around structure. Excellent flounder fishing continues.
- Best spots: Ship Channel for tarpon, grass beds for trout, and any structure for snapper.
- Techniques: Topwater action peaks at dawn, live bait produces all day
June: Full Summer Mode
Water temperatures hit 80°F, establishing summer patterns. Tarpon are in full force rolling in the Ship Channel. King mackerel is reliable offshore. Spanish mackerel are everywhere, from the beach to the bay. Sharks are increasingly active. Speckled trout are best caught at first light before the heat of the day. Redfish seek shade. Mangrove snappers are abundant around any structure.
- Best spots: Pre-dawn flats for trout, offshore reefs for kings, bridge for snappe.r
- Techniques: Early morning critical for inshore, trolling effective offshore
July: Peak Summer Fishing
Water peaks at 85°F. Blue marlin and other billfish are possible offshore. King mackerel tournaments peak. Cobia is still around, but scattered. Tarpon continue rolling at dawn and dusk. Sharks are very active – blacktip, bull, and hammerhead are common. Spadefish school around markers. Mangrove snapper fishing is excellent at night.
- Best spots: Deep offshore for billfish, night fishing bridge for snapper.
- Techniques: Live bait offshore, bottom fishing at night, dawn patrol for inshore species
August: Late Summer Abundance
Similar to July, with water at maximum temperature. Red snapper season (when open) brings offshore focus. Tripletail is excellent around channel markers and debris. Spanish mackerel begin schooling heavily. Flounder gigging is productive at night—speckled trout deep or under lights. Jack crevalle schools terrorize baitfish.
- Best spots: Offshore reefs, channel markers, lighted docks at night.
- Techniques: Vertical jigging offshore, live shrimp around structure
September: Fall Transition Begins
Water starts cooling to 80°F, triggering migrations. Bull redfish begin schooling for spawn. The flounder run starts toward the Gulf. Migrating king mackerel follow baitfish south. Spanish mackerel feed aggressively before departure. Speckled trout action improves dramatically. Sharks remain very active.
- Best spots: Surf and nearshore for bulls, passes for flounder.
- Techniques: Large topwaters for bull reds, finger mullet for flounder
October: Prime Fall Fishing
Water drops to 75°F, creating ideal conditions—bull redfish run peaks in the surf and nearshore. Flounder migration is in full swing at passes. Speckled trout fishing is excellent as they fatten for winter. Whiting arrive in the surf. Pompano return for the fall run—last of the tarpon head south.
- Best spots: First sandbar for bulls, Katrina Cut for flounder, surf for pompano.
- Techniques: Cut bait for bulls, live mullet for flounder, sand fleas for pompano
November: Extended Fall Excellence
The water cools to 65°F, maintaining excellent fishing conditions. Speckled trout school heavily and feed aggressively. Redfish (slot and bull) remain active. Flounder run continues early in the month. Whiting are abundant in the surf. Sheepshead return to structure. Pompano continues when the weather permits.
- Best spots: Channel edges for trout, bridge pilings for sheepshead.
- Techniques: Soft plastics for trout, fiddler crabs for sheepshead
December: Winter Patterns Return
Water drops to 58°F, concentrating fish again. Sheepshead fishing improves weekly. Speckled trout move to winter holes. Redfish remain catchable on warm days. Whiting provides steady surf action. Black drum is possible around the structure.
- Best spots: Deep holes, bridge structure, protected bayous.
- Techniques: Slow down presentations, downsize baits, fish the warmest part of the day
Best Spots by Species
Speckled Trout
- Spring/Fall: Grass flats on bay side, Little Dauphin Bay
- Summer: Deep holes, Gas Well Flats at dawn
- Winter: Ship Channel edges, deep bayous
Redfish
- Year-round: Shorelines with structure, marsh points
- Fall: Surf and first sandbar (bulls)
- Winter: Shallow flats on warm afternoons
Flounder
- Spring: Bay side heading to the Gulf
- Summer: Around passes and inlet
- Fall: Katrina Cut, Ship Channel, concentrated at passes
Spanish Mackerel
- April-October: Dixey Bar, nearshore reefs, around bait schools
- Best: First light and evening, 1-3 miles offshore
King Mackerel
- May-September: 3-10 miles offshore around structure
- Peak: July during tournaments
Cobia
- March-May, September-October: Dauphin Island Pier, Ship Channel
- Peak: April during migration
Sheepshead
- November-April: Any vertical structure
- Peak: January-February before spawn
Pompano
- March-May, October-November: Surf zone, especially after storms
- Best: Two hours either side of high tide
Tackle and Techniques by Location
Surf Fishing
- Rod: 10-12 foot medium-heavy
- Best baits: Sand fleas, fresh shrimp, cut mullet
- Target species: Pompano, whiting, redfish, sharks
Pier Fishing
- Rod: 7-8 foot medium for bottom, heavy for cobia
- Best baits: Live shrimp, cigar minnows, eels for cobia
- Target species: Spanish mackerel, cobia, spadefish, kings
Bay/Inshore
- Rod: 6-7 foot medium-light
- Best baits: Live shrimp, soft plastics, topwater plugs
- Target species: Trout, redfish, flounder
Offshore
- Rod: Heavy conventional or spinning
- Best baits: Live cigar minnows, ballyhoo, artificial trolling lures
- Target species: King mackerel, red snapper, amberjack
Planning Your Fishing Trip
- Best Overall Months: April and October offer the most species variety with comfortable weather.
- Family Fishing: June-August for easy catches of mackerel and bay species.
- Trophy Hunting: April for cobia, October for bull redfish, and July offshore for billfish.
- Winter Visitors: Focus on sheepshead and trout in protected waters.
- Night Fishing: Summer months for mangrove snapper and flounder.
Local Resources and Regulations
Always check current Alabama fishing regulations at OutdoorAlabama.com. Regulations change, particularly for reef fish like red snapper. A saltwater license is required for individuals aged 16-64, with an additional reef fish endorsement available for specific species.
Consider hiring a guide for your first trip. Local knowledge about current patterns, hot spots, and techniques dramatically improves success. The Dauphin Island Marina maintains a list of licensed charter captains.
The Bottom Line
Dauphin Island offers year-round fishing opportunities, but success requires adjusting tactics to seasonal patterns. Winter means deep and slow for trout and sheepshead. Spring brings migrations and variety. Summer requires early morning starts, but it offers the most diverse species. Fall produces the best action of the year as fish feed before winter.
The key is understanding that Dauphin Island’s unique position creates multiple fisheries in one location. You can catch bay species, surf species, nearshore pelagics, and offshore fish all in the same day. Few places on the Gulf Coast offer such variety in such a compact area.