Orange Beach Fishing Report for August 2024
Orange Beach, AL has had a few storms in early August, but the weather is getting better as Hurricane / Tropical Storm Debbie moves further north. Red Snapper is open until state quota is met on for hire vessels with a federal license, and amberjack has re-opened until the end of October. Taking that into account makes the month of August very exciting for excellent fishing in Orange Beach Alabama.
Inshore
In Orange Beach Alabama redfish and trout have been consistent in the bays. Using a mixture of live shrimp, mullet or soft plastics around dock and bridge structure has been effective for anglers. There also have been reports of black drum & jack Carville running in the area. Chunks of crab drifting on the bottom with a weight is near irresistible to these giants. Larger black drum also congregate around the bridges and will bite either crab or shrimp as well. If you caught sheepshead earlier this year, return to those spots for Black Snapper. If a big one takes your bait, be prepared for a fight. Be sure to book an inshore charter guide to catch some fish if you are visiting the area so you can learn where to go and what to do from the pros when you get there.
Nearshore and Offshore
As mentioned in the intro, Red Snapper and Amberjack are available offshore and nearshore in Orange Beach Alabama. Deep dropping live cigar minnows and other live baits will produce a bite. If necessary, frozen can work as well. Live bait can easily be caught around Alabama Pass. Wahoo and king mackerel have been biting on trolling trips when the conditions allow. These conditions are expected to improve. Be sure to troll a lure when you move spot to spot and have a free line out with a live minnow while you are on your spots. A few wahoo are caught while bottom fishing with this technique. Additionally, there have been a good amount of smaller Mahi Mahi in the area that will also hit the trolling lures, but a better bet is if you find floating grass or debris. Try not to have too many baits in the water but throwing a large popping lure convince these fish to leave their cover. Be conservative chumming so you don’t give them too many options.
Beaches and Piers
Orange Beach, AL beaches and piers have seen the tarpon as well as mackerel retreating and will continue to do so the rest of the month as they move on from the area. Pompano have been dwindling but are still in some areas. Using pompano rigs or pompano jigs can entice these fish to bite as well as ladyfish and some Spanish mackerel. Also, there have been some of the larger black drum patrolling the areas around the sandbars and will bite on live shrimp and chunks of crab like our tactics for the bay. Be sure to use an anchored weight to keep your bait from moving too much in the surf. The heat has been high, so make sure you are prepared for a hot day if you decide to tackle the fish surfing in Orange Beach. Side note, use caution due to the increased number of sharks spotted near shore compared to years past.
