This episode of the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report covers the full spring transition across the Alabama coast, from boat fishing the jetties to working the surf and even what's happening off the water.

Captain Ben Knight kicks things off with one of the hottest bites on the coast right now—pompano stacked up around the jetties. He walks through exactly how he's targeting them from a boat, from dialing in tide direction and current seams to using smaller live shrimp on Carolina rigs to match their bite. It's a really practical breakdown of how to fish moving schools, how to adjust between incoming and outgoing tides, and why this might be one of the best pompano runs he's seen in years. He also touches on flounder showing up as quality bycatch and trout starting to stage up in the grass, giving a pretty complete picture of what's happening in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach zone.

Then the perspective shifts to the beach with Cooper Garmeson, who gives a boots-on-the-sand report from Fort Morgan. The surf bite has been steady, with whiting leading the charge and a mix of trout, flounder, and even Spanish mackerel mixed in. What stands out here is how simple the approach is—basic bottom rigs tipped with shrimp and Fishbites, fishing the trough for numbers and reaching past the sandbar for bigger fish. It's a good reminder that you don't need anything complicated to have a really productive day from the beach right now.

The episode wraps with Jim Cox, who talks through the upcoming Destin Boat and Yacht Show and what it says about the Gulf Coast boating scene right now. From hybrid boats that can run offshore to sandbar-friendly setups, the conversation highlights just how versatile the fishery—and the lifestyle—has become, and why this region continues to grow as a boating and fishing destination.

Taken together, it's a snapshot of a coast that's heating up in a big way. Whether you're fishing jetties, soaking baits in the surf, or just thinking about getting on the water, there's a lot happening—and it's only getting better.

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AFTCO

Deep South Cranes

Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

Dixie Building Supply

KillerDock

Foster Contracting

Gulf Coast Shows

Black Buffalo

Stayput Anchor

Slip Ski Solutions

Coastal Connection

Fiber Plastics Inc

Hilton's Offshore Charts

McCoy Outdoors

Ricciardone Dentistry

Coastal Brew Baits

Pure Flats

ADCNR Marine Resources Division

Sea Tow

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Camper City Mobile

Destin Boat Show

This week's Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report is packed with on-the-water intel as spring patterns start to take shape across the Gulf Coast. Captain Brandon Collier breaks down how he's finding fish despite relentless wind, leaning heavily on wade fishing to read bottom structure, dial in lure profiles, and stay on moving schools of trout, redfish, and flounder. He shares a simple but effective system for narrowing down lure color and profile, along with what to look for before ever making a cast—mullet movement, bird activity, and that gut-level "fishy" feeling that tells you whether to stay or move.

Captain Bobby Abruscato adds another layer, explaining why fish are still holding in the rivers longer than expected thanks to low rainfall and stable salinity, and how that's creating opportunities both upriver and out in the Sound. He walks through how to read mullet behavior to locate feeding fish, why a popping cork and shrimp setup is still one of the most effective tools this time of year, and how subtle changes in water clarity can dictate everything from lure color to location.

The episode wraps with a look at the Gulf Coast Outboard Challenge, a long-format, angler-friendly tournament designed to give everyday fishermen a real shot at meaningful prize money without being limited by weather or boat size.

SPONSORS

AFTCO

Deep South Cranes

Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

Dixie Building Supply

KillerDock

Foster Contracting

Gulf Coast Shows

Black Buffalo

Stayput Anchor

Slip Ski Solutions

Coastal Connection

Fiber Plastics Inc

Hilton's Offshore Charts

McCoy Outdoors

Ricciardone Dentistry

Coastal Brew Baits

Pure Flats

ADCNR Marine Resources Division

Sea Tow

Shoreline Plastics

Camper City Mobile

Destin Boat Show

This week's Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report is all about adapting to tough conditions and finding fish when the wind won't let up. Host Butch Thierry sits down with Captain Tanner Deas and Captain Patric Garmeson to break down what they're seeing across Mobile Bay, Mississippi Sound, and the surrounding inshore waters—and why this stretch of windy weather might actually be making anglers better.

Captain Tanner Deas shares how heavy winds are forcing anglers to slow down, cover water more intentionally, and focus on protected areas where bait and fish are stacking up. Wade fishing has been especially productive, with solid numbers of redfish and flounder showing up and trout beginning to make a stronger push, particularly in areas closer to where they've overwintered. With live bait hard to come by, artificials are doing the heavy lifting, and subtle changes in retrieve and cadence are making a big difference in getting bites .

Captain Patric Garmeson echoes the same theme from a different angle, emphasizing how windy days force anglers to dial in their approach and learn more about specific spots. He's seeing strong redfish action on bait, a steady trout bite in select areas, and flounder showing up just about everywhere. He also shares how slowing down, working an area thoroughly, and experimenting with presentation can turn a tough day into a productive one .

Across the board, the takeaway is clear: fishing is heating up along the Alabama Gulf Coast, but success right now belongs to anglers willing to adjust. From changing retrieves to targeting protected water and paying attention to bait movement, this episode is packed with real-time insight on how to stay on fish when conditions are far from ideal.

SPONSORS

AFTCO

Deep South Cranes

Coastal Conservation Association (CCA)

Dixie Building Supply

KillerDock

Foster Contracting

Gulf Coast Shows

Black Buffalo

Stayput Anchor

Slip Ski Solutions

Coastal Connection

Fiber Plastics Inc

Hilton's Offshore Charts

McCoy Outdoors

Ricciardone Dentistry

Coastal Brew Baits

Pure Flats

ADCNR Marine Resources Division

Sea Tow

Shoreline Plastics

Camper City Mobile