Fishing on the Gulf Coast: The Best Spots in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key, and Beyond

The Gulf Coast is a haven for fishing enthusiasts. While I’m not one to cast a line myself, I’ve come to enjoy the thrill of watching friends and family reel in their catches, whether it’s on a scenic pier, from the deck of a boat, or along the sandy shores. Fishing here is more than a sport—it’s a way of life, and the fresh seafood that follows is a bonus I gladly partake in. Here’s a guide to some of the best fishing spots across the Gulf Coast, including Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key, and beyond.

Boat Launches South Baldwin County Alabama

Orange Beach

Orange Beach Back Bays

The back bays, such as Wolf Bay and Terry Cove, are serene and teeming with fish. This is a favorite spot for inshore fishing, offering opportunities to catch redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. The calm waters also make it ideal for kayak fishing. While my loved ones fish, I enjoy the peaceful surroundings and vibrant sunsets.

Perdido Pass

Perdido Pass, where the Gulf meets the bays, is a dynamic fishing spot. Whether you’re casting from the jetty rocks or fishing by boat, you’ll find a variety of fish, including pompano, Spanish mackerel, and grouper. I often join friends here to watch the action and admire the dolphins that sometimes swim by.

Gulf Shores

Gulf State Park Pier

The Gulf State Park Pier is a must-visit for anyone interested in fishing. It’s one of the longest piers on the Gulf Coast, offering access to deep waters where Spanish mackerel, flounder, and kingfish are common catches. I’ve spent hours here enjoying the energy of the pier, even without a rod in hand.

Perdido Key

Johnson Beach

Located in Perdido Key, Johnson Beach offers a mix of surf and inshore fishing. This pristine area is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and is a quiet spot for catching flounder, speckled trout, and even the occasional shark. I love walking the shorelines here and soaking in the natural beauty while others cast their lines.

Perdido Bay

Perdido Bay is a prime spot for inshore fishing, with redfish and trout being the most popular targets. My friends who fish here recommend live shrimp for the best results. For me, it’s all about enjoying the view and planning the next seafood feast.

Beyond the Coast

Fort Morgan (Near Gulf Shores)

Fort Morgan, at the mouth of Mobile Bay, is a favorite for its rich waters. Anglers here often catch speckled trout, redfish, and black drum. The historic setting adds a unique charm, and I’ve spent many afternoons exploring the fort while others fished nearby.

Dauphin Island

A ferry ride from Fort Morgan takes you to Dauphin Island, a laid-back fishing destination. The beaches, piers, and jetties are excellent for catching redfish, pompano, and trout. It’s a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy a slower pace of life.

Deep-Sea Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico

For those seeking adventure, offshore fishing in the Gulf offers a chance to catch tuna, mahi-mahi, and snapper. I’ve joined friends on these trips, marveling at the open water and the excitement of the big catch. It’s an unforgettable experience, even as a spectator.

Fishing Tips and Local Insights

  • Licenses: Ensure you have the appropriate fishing license. Alabama and Florida have specific requirements depending on where you fish.
  • Best Baits: Live shrimp, squid, and artificial lures are commonly used along the Gulf Coast. Each spot may call for a different approach.
  • Charter a Guide: If you’re new to the area or want to maximize your chances, hiring a local guide or charter is a fantastic way to learn the waters.

Fishing on the Gulf Coast is more than just casting a line; it’s a way to connect with the natural beauty of the region. From the quiet bays of Orange Beach to the bustling piers of Gulf Shores and the serene shores of Perdido Key, there’s something for everyone to enjoy—even if you prefer to simply watch and savor the day’s catch like I do.

Orange Beach Rig Fishing: Zones, Seasons, and Boats That Make Sense


Rig Fishing Gulf Coast

How this guide is framed

What follows is collected wisdom from my Orange Beach circle—friends, neighbors, and clients who live on the water and fish rigs from lower Mobile Bay to the deep floaters. I’m sharing their patterns and boat pairings so you can plan smarter. If you need help finding a boat-friendly home or slip to match your program, I can help.

Rig zones in simple terms

  • Inshore platforms (lower Mobile Bay and ship-channel edges): Close, current-rich structure that’s accessible on fair days. Great for learning rig etiquette and positioning.
  • Nearshore state-waters rigs (≈5–20 miles): Spanish mackerel and kingfish on rips and legs, plus reef options…

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Freeman vs. Invincible: 35–37-Foot Cats for Orange Beach Runs


Boating In Orange Beach Freeman Invincible

Why this comparison matters on our coast

I help a lot of boat-minded buyers who want a platform that can run from Orange Beach to the Spur or Nipple in comfort, then idle back into Terry Cove without drama. In that 35–37-foot sweet spot, two names come up constantly: Freeman and Invincible. Both build fast, capable cats with serious range and fishability. The right choice depends on how you use the boat and where you plan to keep it among our marinas and slips around Orange Beach and Ono Island.

The quick spec snapshot

Model LOA Beam Fuel Draft (approx.) Notes
Freeman 35 35’10” 11’6” ~510 gal ~24” Max power ~1,200 hp; “ready to fish”…

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RED OCTOBER: TALES OF THE GULF COAST’S FALL FISHING SEASON



Gulf Coast Fishing October Orange Beach Alabama

Come October, the Gulf turns a shade of silver-blue that’s hard to describe and impossible to forget. The breeze shifts from south to north, the bait runs thick through Perdido Pass, and every friend with a boat starts trading text messages before dawn: “They’re biting at the jetties.”

It’s what locals call Red October — that sweet stretch when the bull reds school up and the fall bite hits its stride from Terry Cove to Bayou St. John. The water cools, the air sharpens, and conversations around the marina turn from summer crowds to tide charts and tackle talk.

The Gulf in Her Autumn Mood

Neighbors often tell me October is their favorite time to be on the water —…

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LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES: OCTOBER FISHING ON THE GULF


October on the Gulf is my kind of calm — the heat breaks, the crowds thin, and the tides roll a little slower, like a long drawl at sunset. Down here in Orange Beach, Alabama, we call it the “shoulder season,” but for anglers, it’s the prime bite. The mornings are cool enough for a flannel, the afternoons warm enough for bare feet on deck, and the fish — well, they’re just about perfect.

Gulf Coast Fishing Alabama Florida

The Rhythm of Fall on the Gulf

By the time the last of the summer visitors have packed their umbrellas, the Intracoastal Waterway, Terry Cove, and Bayou St. John take on a different kind of energy. The shrimp boats hum before dawn, gulls chatter over bait slicks, and every captain at Zeke’s…

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Complete Nautical Navigation Guide for Ono Island Boaters

Ono Island Nautical Atlas Boating Guide

I’m Meredith Amon, an Ono Island homeowner and coastal navigator, and I’ve learned that exploring our Alabama–Florida Gulf Coast waters is equal parts art and science. From the calm back bays behind Ono Island to the swift currents of Perdido Pass, safe and elegant boating here means understanding the tides, the channels, and the character of each waterway. Join me on a detailed tour of local depths, routes, and tips – consider it your personal nautical guide to enjoying these beautiful waters with confidence.

Average Water Depths by Waterway (Feet & Meters)

Water depths around Ono Island can vary from deep channels to shallow coves. In Bayou St. John (the broad bay on the north side…

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ORANGE BEACH WATERS: A BOATER’S MAP & VESSEL MATCH



 Orange Beach Waters A Boaters Map and Vessel Match

Around Orange Beach   the water you wake up to shapes your day. A calm canal for coffee cruises, the steady reach of Bayou St. John toward the Intracoastal, the swift run through Perdido Pass, or a quiet track across Old River. I work with buyers every week to match boats and homes to the right water. Below is my map for doing just that, with depths, popular boat classes, specific models, drafts, and realistic cost ranges, plus my personal notes from years of helping people live on the water.

https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ · https://www.searchthegulf.com/boating-accommodations-on-the-gulf-coast/ · https://www.searchthegulf.com/gulf-shores/

Perdido Pass and the…

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Top 5 Boats for the Gulf Coast Lifestyle


By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

When you live on the Gulf Coast — especially in places like Orange Beach, Ono Island, and Gulf Shores — your boat becomes more than a vessel. It’s an extension of your home and lifestyle. Whether it’s a calm cruise through the back bays, a Saturday anchored off Robinson Island, or a long offshore run to chase the bite, the right boat brings both comfort and capability to every adventure.

Here are my top five boats that perfectly capture the essence of Gulf Coast living.

1. Grady-White Canyon 336

Grady-White remains one of the most respected names in…

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A 54′ RICKY GILLIKIN IN ORANGE BEACH: A SOUTHERN SPORTFISHER DREAM

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

54 Foot Ricky Gillikin Sportsfishing Yacht on the Gulf Coast


From time to time, I’ll see a 54-foot Ricky Gillikin sportfishing boat making her way through Perdido Pass, and it always stops me in my tracks. There’s just something about the clean Carolina lines, the sharp bow, and the way she sits on the water that makes you pause and say, now that’s a serious boat. From my perspective, it appears to be a mid-1990s build,, and I can’t help but imagine what a machine like this is capable of out in the Gulf.

My Observations and Thoughts 

In my opinion, a 54′ Ricky Gillikin likely measures…

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THE INVINCIBLE 36 OPEN FISHERMAN AND ONO ISLAND WATERFRONT LIVING

By Meredith Folger Amon

Life on the Gulf Coast is about more than just a beautiful home—it’s about how your property and your boat work together to create a lifestyle. Few boats embody that lifestyle better than the Invincible 36 Open Fisherman, and few communities showcase it more seamlessly than Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Why the Invincible 36 is a Gulf Coast Favorite

At 36 feet 10 inches in length with a 10-foot beam, the Invincible 36 Open Fisherman is an offshore powerhouse with the versatility to handle everything from back bays to bluewater runs. Powered by twin Mercury 400 Verados (800 horsepower combined), the boat cruises comfortably above 50 mph and…

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TOP 5 ORANGE BEACH HOMES THAT FIT A 60’ SPORTFISHING YACHT

By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Orange Beach Alabama Homes and Ono Island Sportsfishing Yachts

On the Gulf Coast, life is measured in tides and traditions. For those who own a 60’ sportfishing yacht, the right home isn’t simply about a dock—it’s about creating a seamless life where mornings begin with a run through Perdido Pass and evenings close with a quiet drink overlooking the water. In Orange Beach and on Ono Island, certain properties are built to carry this rhythm, pairing luxury living with true deepwater access.

Here are five types of properties that pair beautifully with a yacht of this size.

1. Ono Island Deepwater Estates on Old River

Ono Island  — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/

Ono’s…

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