Guarding the entrance to the Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island was once home to Native Americans who used the land to fish, harvest, and hunt. Its nature and fisheries have witnessed people come and go, clashes take place, and nations being built. The white sandy beaches make these fisheries a sight to admire. If you want productive fishing and a peaceful setting, this is where your angling ambitions should take you.

Camping and birds are popular items on any visitor’s to-do list. But, we think that Dauphin Island’s true jewel lies off its coast. Yep, it’s fishing! One simply can’t praise enough the angling around the local waters. Not many places get to boast such diverse fishing opportunities.

You can be a fisherman looking for a seasoned captain, a novice, family with eager youngsters, or an outdoors enthusiast—Dauphin Island has you covered. Nearshore, you can get Cobia, Wahoo, King and Spanish Mackerel. Many of our charters have an experienced crew who know how to get around fish, and help you fill your bags.

When you’ve caught limits while charter fishing, you can take a walk around some of the bird sanctuaries, or pay a visit to the Estuarium. There you’ll get to see aquariums filled with 100 of Alabama’s native wildlife different species.

All anglers need to possess a valid saltwater fishing permit when fishing in Alabama state waters. You can easily purchase your license online, either as an annual or a multiday option.

Let’s have a look at what Dauphin Island has in store. Besides ridiculously big fish offshore, you can fill your bags with the shoreline still in sight. Dauphin Island inshore fishing is on par with the rest of the Gulf’s hot spots. Spotted Seatrout, Tripletail, and Redfish can grow really big. Get Spotted Seatrout on artificial lures, and use gold spoons to catch Redfish. Now, off to a more indepth overview of when to fish.

For people looking for the famed Snapper and Grouper, you’ll get what you came for. When the season’s open, the safest (and the juiciest) bet is a bottom fishing trip, around the reefs and wrecks. Red, Vermillion, Lane Snapper or Red and Gag Grouper are both fun and nutrient catch. Open seasons change on a yearly basis, so best check the Snapper and Grouper season before booking your Dauphin Island fishing charter.

Not so far off the coast, you can go trolling for Kingfish and Spanish Mackerel. But, these beauties are as fast as their bite, and you can find them even further out. Look out for floating objects, if you want to land Cobia. Ships, buoys, and even sharks and turtles attract them.

Big fish swim far off the coast. We’re talking Yellowfin Tuna, Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, and Wahoo. It’s best you prepare for a long ride, at times even up to 100 miles to get the fish. You should be looking for full day, and often multiday trips. But, trust us, once you hear the sound of drag screaming, you’ll know your trip’s been worth the while. Even better if you manage to reel the prize in!