Top 10 Saltwater Fish to Catch in Alabama
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Redfish
Verified
World Record
94 lb 2 oz
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina
David R. Deuel / 1984
Hatteras, North Carolina
Signature Fact
Males literally drum-low booms you can feel through the hull on calm spawning nights.
2
Speckled Trout
Verified
World Record
17 lb 7 oz
Floyd B. Smith / 1995
Florida, USA
Floyd B. Smith / 1995
Florida, USA
Signature Fact
Males crank ultrafast sonic muscles to drum in booming dusk choruses you can pinpoint with a $30 hydrophone.
3
Southern Flounder
Verified
World Record
20 lb 9 oz
David H. Self / 1983
North Carolina, USA
David H. Self / 1983
North Carolina, USA
Signature Fact
Warm nursery water flips their sex switch-hot summers churn out mostly males, gutting future trophy female numbers.
4
Red Snapper
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
50 lb 4 oz
Gary J. Fodness / 1996
Gulf of Mexico
Gary J. Fodness / 1996
Gulf of Mexico
Signature Fact
During summer evenings they drum with their swim bladders, letting scientists track spawning simply by listening.
5
King Mackerel
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
93 lb 0 oz
Steve Graulau / 1976
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Steve Graulau / 1976
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Signature Fact
The first run can torch 200 yards and smoke your drag-big ones are literally called "smokers.
6
Spanish Mackerel
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
13 lb 0 oz
James E. Lash / 1987
Ocracoke, North Carolina
James E. Lash / 1987
Ocracoke, North Carolina
Signature Fact
Zero swim bladder means no barotrauma-pull them straight up and they just sink like chrome torpedoes.
7
Cobia
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
135 lb 9 oz
Robert Davis / 1985
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Robert Davis / 1985
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Signature Fact
They're freeloading ambushers, tailgating rays and sharks without a sucker disk, stealing every critter the host spooks.
8
Sheepshead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
21 lb 4 oz
Fred J. Jenson / 1982
St. Augustine, Florida
Fred J. Jenson / 1982
St. Augustine, Florida
Signature Fact
They grow a full set of human-looking incisors backed by three upper and two lower molar rows-nature's oyster-cracker.
9
Black Drum
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
113 lb 1 oz
John W. Stewart / 1975
Delaware Bay, USA
John W. Stewart / 1975
Delaware Bay, USA
Signature Fact
Massive schools beat their swim bladders so hard during spawning that boat hulls vibrate like subwoofers.
10
Gafftopsail Cat
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
16 lb 8 oz
Joseph W. Bailey / 1996
Texas, USA
Joseph W. Bailey / 1996
Texas, USA
Signature Fact
Dad does daycare the hard way: he mouthbroods marble-sized eggs and hungry babies, fasting for weeks.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Alabama?
You can catch redfish, speckled trout, southern flounder, tarpon, red snapper, and more saltwater species in Alabama.
What is the best time of year to fish in Alabama?
Alabama saltwater fishing heats up in spring and summer, but the action stays strong most of the year.
Where are the best places to fish in Alabama?
Alabama’s best saltwater fishing happens along the coast and inshore waters, where you’ll find redfish, trout, and flounder.
What gear do you need for fishing in Alabama?
Bring medium to heavy rods and strong tackle, especially if you’re targeting redfish, snapper, or goliath grouper in Alabama saltwater.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Alabama?
Speckled trout, redfish, and gafftopsail catfish are some of the easier saltwater fish to catch in Alabama.
