Latest Fishing Reports for Orange Beach Alabama
Updated August 13, 2025
Looking for the Orange Beach inshore fishing report and the latest Gulf Shores bite? Here’s what our crew at Cool Change Charters is seeing this week straight from the bays, passes, docks, and grass lines.
BOOK NOW!🎯 Quick Bite Index (This Week)
- Speckled Trout: 🟢 Steady at first light on topwater; soft plastics once the sun’s up.
- Redfish (Reds): 🟢 Good on current seams around docks and bridge pilings; live shrimp or cut bait.
- Flounder: 🟡 Fair best on moving tide around sand edges and creek mouths.
- Sheepshead & Mangrove Snapper: 🟡 Picking at pilings when water is clean; live shrimp.
- Ladyfish/Bluefish (for kids’ action): 🟢 Wide‑open along the beach when bait schools push in.
Best windows: 🌅 Dawn and last‑light; incoming tide over clean water. Midday shade (docks/bridges) can keep bites rolling.
🌊 Conditions Snapshot
- Water clarity: Green to clear in protected bays; cleaner pushes on incoming tide through Perdido Pass.
- Wind/Seas: Typical summer sea breeze gentler mornings, breezier afternoons. Pick AM for youngsters.
- Bait: Plenty of small pogies and glass minnows; popping‑cork shrimp continues to produce.
🎣 What’s Biting & How We’re Catching Them
Speckled Trout
- Where: Cotton Bayou points, Terry Cove edges, dock lights before sunrise.
- How: Walk‑the‑dog topwaters at gray light; 1/8–1/4 oz jigheads with paddletails when sun’s up; popping cork + live shrimp for kids.
Redfish
- Where: Bridge pilings, seawalls with current, backside of Ono Island cuts.
- How: Live shrimp under cork, cut mullet on circle hooks, or gold spoons along grass lines. Work slower on slack tide.
Flounder
- Where: Sandy transitions at creek mouths, dock aprons, and pass eddies.
- How: Dragging Gulp! or live bull minnows slowly along bottom; pause often set after you feel the thump.
Sheepshead / Mangrove Snapper
- Where: Barnacle‑laden pilings and deep docks in clean water.
- How: Split‑shot rigs with shrimp; light leaders. Keep it natural.
🧠 Captain Tips
- Match the hatch: Downsize plastics when bait is small.
- Sound matters: Pop that cork and let it settle don’t overwork it.
- Kids on board? Short leaders, barbless options, and steady action species keep the day fun.
- Photos: Wet hands before handling trout for quick CPR pics. 📸
👨👩👧 Family‑Friendly Setup
- Shorter AM trips keep rods bent and seas calm.
- Child‑size PFDs and lighter tackle available tell us ages ahead of time.
- Shade & snack breaks encouraged. 😎
⭐ Recent Guest Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Captain dialed us in on dock lights at sunrise kids doubled up on trout! Perfect first trip.” — Megan, Birmingham
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Redfish under the bridge… unreal. Crew was patient and fun.” — Derrick, Nashville
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Flounder lesson turned into dinner. We’ll be back this fall.” — Kara & Tim, Atlanta
🗓️ Outlook (Next 7–10 Days)
- Expect steady trout at daybreak with topwater, then plastics/cork rigs.
- Reds remain consistent on structure with moving water.
- Flounder improves around stronger tides and low‑light periods.
- Afternoon sea breeze continues book AM for smoothest ride.
✅ Inshore Gear Checklist
Polarized shades, hat, reef‑safe sunscreen, drinks/snacks, small cooler for fillets (leave in car), camera/phone battery. Seasick‑prone? Take meds before boarding.
📞 Ready to Fish the Bays?
Tap Book Now or call the captain. We’ll tailor a kid‑friendly inshore plan or a mixed nearshore run if you want a shot at beach‑run mackerel. Let us know your goals so we can prep the right tackle.
🛥️ Book Now with Cool Change Charters
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or brand-new to fishing, Cool Change Charters will get you on the fish with a local captain who knows the bite. Calm waters, big action, and family-friendly trips await!
📆 Availability is limited book your private Orange Beach inshore trip today!
📞 Call now or visit coolchangecharter.com to reserve your date.