Experience Winter Fishing

in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Published on: December 22, 2025

Although the temperatures drop along Alabama’s Beaches throughout the winter months, there are still plenty of fishing spots that will please any angler who’s not ready to put their rods and reels away. With the colder air, water, and land temperatures, many species move from their summer hangouts and shallow waters to deeper water inside our local tidal creeks and rivers.

Winter Fishing in the Gulf

angler holding redfish while inshore fishing off the beach in Gulf Shores

What to Catch in Winter

As temperatures fall, species such as redfish and speckled trout need to find consistent water temperatures in the deep holes that offer the saltiest water to make it through winter comfortably. A great way to target these species is to focus on the tidal creeks and rivers surrounding our local inshore bays while looking for the deeper holes along the outer bends of those waters. Both speckled trout and redfish head into the rivers and estuaries to follow the migration of shrimp.

Angler holding a speckled trout caught while surf fishing in Orange Beach

Bait & Tackle for Winter Fishing

During the colder months in these areas, test out throwing smaller 3-inch paddle tails with either an eighth or quarter-ounce jig head. Some favorite colors to throw during the colder months include chartreuse, light purple, or a bone color. Other baits that work well for those species during the winter are suspending twitch baits and topwater plugs on warmer days. For twitch baits, try Yo-zuri 3DS minnows and Mirrolure Mirrodines in regular and heavy for the deeper areas, and you can never go wrong with a Rapala X-Rap.

Angler shore fishing at Perdido Pass seawall in Orange Beach

Targeting Sheepshead, Redfish, & Black Drum

Another great option to make during the colder months if you are not into throwing artificial baits is to fish the inshore structures such as bridges, docks, and rock rubble piles in search of sheepshead, redfish, and black drum. These fish species frequent some of the gnarliest of areas, so be sure to bring plenty of extra tackle, but also be prepared for quite the fight while using inshore tackle. Some tried, and true rigs for these fish include a small split shot rig using two number four-sized split shot weights and a size one Gamakatsu octopus hook. Another great option if fishing in stronger currents is to Carolina rig a one-ought or two-ought circle hook with a one- or two-ounce egg weight.

Some of the best baits to use for these species can be tough to find in the winter months but include fiddler crabs, live or fresh dead shrimp, fresh blue crab, or cut bait fish. Sheepshead seem to prefer to use Fiddler crabs most of the time, but if not available, shrimp make a great option. However, as it’s always said, everything you want to catch eats shrimp, but so does everything you don’t want to.

Redfish and black drum also enjoy eating those baits, but some of the best baits to use for them this time of year are blue crab and fresh-cut bait such as mullet and menhaden. These baits create a larger scent trail that will allow them to find your hook and bait easier and faster.

Angler surf fishing along the shoreline in Orange Beach at sunrise

Winter Surf Fishing

Anglers may also have luck surf fishing in the winter if the conditions are right. Redfish, speckled trout, and pompano can all still be caught from the surf during the cooler months. You can also use bits of dead shrimp and Fish Baits to target Whiting (Gulf Kingfish) as they run the shoreline before it gets too cold.

Plan Your Winter Fishing Trip

Anglers showing off redfish caught on an inshore fishing charter in Orange Beach

Although fishing may slow down across the country with the falling temperatures, Alabama’s Beaches still offer plenty of fishing opportunities for anglers of any skill set. Check out the fishing seasons to see what all you can reel in while winter fishing in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan!