Orange Beach Fishing Report for May 2024*
Welcome back Gulf Coast Sportsman to another Orange Beach fishing report for May 2024. This May has produced a variety of weather conditions that have affected fishing; but there still plenty of action inshore, nearshore and offshore, and around the beaches and piers. Whether you want to fish inshore structure, troll off or bottom fish offshore, or fish the oil rigs, there are plenty of opportunities to get a tight line and a memorable catch.
Inshore
In the Orange Beach, AL area, inshore fishing has been predominantly centered around fishing dock and bridge structure for redfish, trout, and the occasional flounder. While the sheepshead were strong in February and March they are pretty much gone now. This will continue to be productive using live shrimp and a variety of lures varying from twitch baits, top water plugs, and the ever-useful golden spoon. However, as the month goes on, look for trout and larger redfish to move out onto grass flats and the ledge drop offs of that many islands in the bays and intracoastal areas. Place your live baits or lures right on the edge of these drop offs with an inshore guide, to and you might just find some bull redfish and gator trout.
Nearshore and Offshore
The name of the game for nearshore and offshore fishing in the Orange Beach, AL area has continued to be mackerel. Spanish Mackerel are showing up already and kings are around the corner. There have still been some good numbers being caught trolling near and offshore with lures like Yozuri hard baits, as well as fishing around the many oil rigs off our waters. Nearshore could also see some straggling cobia that haven’t quite made it to their spawning grounds off Louisiana, these are being spotted closer to the beach and the numbers are thicker around Perdido Key. Keep and eye out for grass mats and sea turtles if you want to catch cobia. They can also be caught while bottom fishing for black snapper, mingo snapper, grouper, and trigger. A sailfish here and there is also possible nearshore and around the rigs. However, everyone should be excited about Red Snapper season in the coming months as Orange Beach has some of the best in the country. Amberjack is open now and the bite has been amazing so far.
Beaches and Piers
Orange Beach, AL beaches and piers continue to seed action from pompano, whiting, and redfish in the surf. Pompano started a little later this year and are expected to still be around until the middle of May. Continue using pompano rigs, fish gum, and live sand fleas or shrimp. Get your rig between the sandbars for the larger reds running the deeper channels. As for the piers, spanish mackerel have still been caught as well as hardtails, whiting, ladyfish. There is also plenty of opportunity for sharks in the surf and on the piers in the evening and at night. If that’s your target, make sure you have heavier gear, and cut bonita for bait. These can be caught trolling off shore, or bought frozen at most tackle and bait shops. Now is the time to start planning your summer fishing trips, book before availability runs out.
