Mobile County, AL · Gulf of Mexico
Mobile Bay
Alabama's vast estuary at the mouth of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta — a redfish, speckled trout, and black drum fishery over the grass and oyster bottom, famous for the "Jubilee" when fish crowd the eastern shore. Fished from boats, piers, and the causeway. Live tide and water temperature from Dauphin Island.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Sheepshead — Marginal conditions for Sheepshead.
Best conditions of 4 species tracked at Mobile Bay.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:46 AM | High | 1.9 ft |
| 8:39 PM | Low | -0.5 ft |
Species at Mobile Bay
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Sheepshead Marginal conditions for Sheepshead. In season 38/100
What's helping
- low slack tide — sheepshead prefers slack tide
What's hurting
- 87°F water — above sheepshead's active range (60–82°f) — fish move deep
About. Archosargus probatocephalus — Structure-oriented crustacean eater with famously human-like teeth. VA piers, jetties, and the rocks and pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel are the classic targets. Fiddler crabs, sand fleas, or small pieces of shrimp on a knocker rig right against the structure. Expect to lose tackle.
Prefers. Water 60–82°F (ideal 72°F) · slack tide · depth 5–40 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 8
12" minimum, 8/person/day.
Source: Alabama regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Red Drum Skip the Red Drum trip today. In season 22/100
What's hurting
- 87°F water — above red drum's active range (65–85°f) — fish move deep
- low slack tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 16"
- Max size
- 26"
- Daily creel
- 3
16–26" slot, 3/person/day.
Source: Alabama regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Spotted Seatrout Skip the Spotted Seatrout trip today. In season 22/100
What's hurting
- 87°F water — above spotted seatrout's active range (60–85°f) — fish move deep
- low slack tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Max size
- 22"
- Daily creel
- 6
15–22" slot, 6/person/day (one over 22" allowed).
Source: Alabama regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Black Drum Skip the Black Drum trip today. In season 22/100
What's hurting
- 87°F water — above black drum's active range (55–85°f) — fish move deep
- low slack tide — black drum prefers incoming tide
About. Pogonias cromis — The red drum’s heavier, bottom-grubbing cousin — a deep-bodied sciaenid that roots crabs and shellfish off mud and oyster bottom across the Gulf and South Atlantic. "Puppy drum" in the slot are excellent eating; the giant bull black drum that mass to spawn around passes and jetties in late winter and spring can top 80 lb. A staple of Louisiana and Texas inshore fishing alongside redfish and speckled trout.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 2–40 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- no limit
Alabama: no size or bag limit on black drum.
Source: Alabama regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Gulf of Mexico
Region
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Alabama
Coordinates
Notes
Alabama: redfish 16–26" slot, 3/day; seatrout 15–22" slot, 6/day. The Delta and eastern shore are the classic spots.
Local reports & rules for Mobile Bay: Outdoor Alabama (ADCNR) fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Mobile Bay?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Mobile Bay you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Mobile Bay?
Mobile Bay is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum, Sheepshead. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Mobile Bay?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Mobile Bay against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Mobile Bay have?
Mobile Bay has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Alabama: redfish 16–26" slot, 3/day; seatrout 15–22" slot, 6/day. The Delta and eastern shore are the classic spots.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Mobile Bay?
state agency regulations apply at Mobile Bay. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Mobile Bay tidal water?
Yes. Mobile Bay sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.