If you fish Mobile Bay, Weeks Bay, or the delta out of Fairhope, you already know that the bite changes month to month — sometimes week to week. The question isn't just where to fish. It's knowing when each species shows up, where they go, and when the window closes so you can plan your season accordingly.
This is a month-by-month breakdown of what's biting in Baldwin County waters throughout the year: redfish, speckled trout, cobia, flounder, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel. We've also noted when it makes sense to have your boat ready versus when most locals pull out of the water — which, if your rig is at a storage facility on AL-181, matters a lot for how you plan your mornings.
Most of the fishing in this guide centers on three bodies of water:
The seasonal patterns below apply primarily to the bay and Weeks Bay. Delta fishing follows its own rhythm and is noted separately where relevant.
January is the off-season for a lot of Bay anglers, which is exactly why the ones who stay out can have exceptional days. Water temperatures drop into the high 40s and low 50s, and most of the inshore action concentrates around structure — bridge pilings, docks, oyster reefs, and channel edges.
What's biting: Sheepshead are the reliable winter catch, stacked up on any hard structure in the bay. Look around the pilings of the Causeway and the Fairhope Municipal Pier. Speckled trout also push deep into creek mouths and protected coves where water temps are slightly warmer — a slow-sinking soft plastic worked carefully is the go-to.
Storage note: January is the heart of storage season for most Baldwin County boaters. If you're not fishing through the cold, this is when a lot of rigs sit. It's also a good time to do your annual seal inspection and prep work before spring.
The sheepshead bite typically peaks in February as fish begin to stage for pre-spawn activity around structure. A light jig head tipped with a fresh shrimp is standard. Flounder begin to show up in the lower bay as water temps start creeping up, though the real action is still a few weeks out.
What's biting: Sheepshead around structure, early flounder in the lower bay, the occasional trout in protected water. February can surprise you — warm fronts between cold snaps push fish into shallower water and the bite can turn on fast.
Storage note: Most serious bay fishermen start pulling boats out of storage in late February to prep for spring. If your rig has been sitting since November, now's the time to service it before the cobia run starts.
March is when the bay starts to feel alive again. Water temperatures climb into the mid-60s, and the grass flats in Weeks Bay and the upper bay begin to hold fish again. Redfish that spent the winter in deeper water start pushing back onto the flats. Speckled trout move shallow and get aggressive.
What's biting: Redfish on the Weeks Bay grass flats — popping corks over submerged grass or slow-rolling a gold spoon are both reliable. Speckled trout in the upper bay coves and along the eastern shore. Spanish mackerel begin showing up in the lower bay toward the end of the month.
Storage note: If you haven't pulled your boat out yet, March is the deadline. The cobia run can start in late March in a warm year and you don't want to miss the first days of it.
April is the most anticipated month on Mobile Bay for a large portion of Baldwin County anglers. The spring cobia migration moves fish north along the Alabama coast, and the bay becomes one of the best sight-fishing opportunities in the Southeast. Cobia push through the lower bay and up toward the Causeway, often cruising just under the surface — visible from the boat and catchable on live bait or large jigs.
What's biting: Cobia are the headliner — fish range from 20 to 60+ pounds during the peak run. The Fairhope Pier and the edges of the shipping channel are consistent spots. Redfish and trout remain strong on the flats. Spanish mackerel show up in numbers in the lower bay, great for kids and light tackle anglers.
Storage note: Nobody stores their boat in April who has another option. If your rig is still sitting, get it out now.
May brings warm water and an active bite across almost every species. Flounder become more targetable on the bay's sandy bottom areas and grass flat edges. Cobia are still present but tapering toward the end of the month. This is one of the best all-around fishing months of the year in Baldwin County.
What's biting: Flounder on sandy bottom near grass edges, redfish on Weeks Bay flats, Spanish mackerel in open water, and trout holding along the eastern shoreline. Tripletail begin appearing around crab trap buoys in the bay — a fun sight-fishing target.
Storage note: Peak usage month for most Baldwin County boat owners. If you're storing at a facility, expect the lot to be busy on weekends — early morning pickup is the move.
Summer sets in, and with it comes some adjustments. Water temperatures push into the upper 80s by midday, and fish move early and late to avoid the heat. The best fishing in June is at dawn and dusk — sometimes just an hour-long window on either end of the day.
What's biting: Redfish on topwater lures early morning is one of the more exciting experiences on the bay. Speckled trout go deep during midday but stay active in the early hours near drop-offs and channel edges. Flounder hold on structure and deeper grass edges.
Storage note: Summer fishing is about timing, not frequency. Many anglers are on the water less often in June-August simply because the midday heat makes it miserable. Early-launch days from a nearby storage facility make the early bite a lot more achievable.
July is the toughest month for bay fishing. Water temps peak, oxygen levels in shallow water drop, and fish become harder to locate and less willing to eat. Many Baldwin County anglers shift their attention offshore to the Gulf during July — red snapper, amberjack, and grouper — or simply take a break from fishing altogether.
What's biting: Early morning redfish and flounder are still catchable with patience. The delta offers bass and catfish in cooler, shaded creek systems if you want to stay on the water. Otherwise, this is a slower month.
Storage note: July often sees more boats go into short-term storage as families shift to beach trips and vacations. If you're not going out for a few weeks, it's worth doing a quick moisture check on the interior before you park it.
August remains hot and slow for most of the bay, but tripletail fishing around crab trap markers can be exceptional. These fish float lazily near the surface around buoys and floating structure — easy to spot, harder to catch than they look, but a rewarding target when the rest of the bay is quiet.
What's biting: Tripletail on crab trap buoys in the open bay, flounder starting to stage for the fall migration, early sheepshead activity picking up on structure.
Storage note: Late August is when serious fall fishermen start thinking about boat maintenance — checking props, changing impellers, topping off batteries — so they're ready for what's coming in September.
September is the beginning of the best stretch of the fishing year in Baldwin County. Water temperatures start dropping, and the entire inshore fishery comes alive. Redfish begin schooling on the flats in larger numbers than any other time of year. Speckled trout move into the upper bay and creek mouths aggressively. This is when locals who've been patient all summer get rewarded.
What's biting: Bull redfish begin schooling in open bay water — sight casting to tailing redfish on the Weeks Bay flats is as good as inshore fishing gets. Speckled trout are active all day in September. Flounder begin their fall migration toward the Gulf, stacking up at creek mouths and channel entrances.
Storage note: If your boat has been in storage since July, pull it out now. September through November is the most productive fishing window of the year and you don't want to miss the first weeks of the fall run.
October is the best single month to be on Mobile Bay. Temperatures are comfortable, the fish are feeding aggressively to prepare for winter, and the crowds from summer have thinned out. Redfish, trout, and flounder are all in peak form simultaneously — a rare combination that makes for exceptional mixed-bag days.
What's biting: Schooling redfish in the open bay and on the Weeks Bay flats. Flounder stacking at every creek mouth and pass during the migration — October is the prime flounder month in Baldwin County. Speckled trout aggressive across the bay. Spanish mackerel make a fall pass through the lower bay before heading south.
Storage note: October is peak demand at any storage facility near the bay. Early weekday mornings are the best time to beat the traffic on 181 and get to the ramp before the weekend crowd shows up.
The flounder migration wraps up in early November, but trout fishing continues to be excellent — often the best of the year, as fish are fat from feeding and the cool water keeps them active all day rather than just at dawn. The bay traffic thins dramatically after the first cold front, which means more water to yourself.
What's biting: Speckled trout are the main event — fish are large and actively feeding in the upper bay and grass flat edges. Late flounder still moving through creek mouths in early November. Sheepshead picking up on structure as water cools.
Storage note: November is when a lot of casual boaters start winterizing. If you're a die-hard trout angler, you'll stay out through Thanksgiving — but if the boat is going away for winter, mid-to-late November is the typical window.
December marks the transition back into winter patterns. Cold fronts roll through regularly, and each one pushes the fish into deeper, warmer water. The bite becomes more structure-dependent and tide-driven. For those willing to put in the work, sheepshead and cold-weather trout are still catchable — but this is also when most Baldwin County boaters start thinking about long-term storage and spring prep.
What's biting: Sheepshead on structure, cold-water trout in deep creek mouths and protected coves. Whiting appear in the surf and lower bay edges in winter.
Storage note: December is the primary storage month for most bay boaters. A proper winterization — flushing the motor, draining the bilge, disconnecting or maintaining the battery — before you park it will make March a lot easier.
Peak months: September–November (fall schooling), March–May (spring flats). Best spots: Weeks Bay grass flats, upper bay coves, Tensaw Delta creek mouths.
Peak months: March–May and September–November. Best spots: Eastern shore, upper bay creek mouths, Weeks Bay.
Peak months: April–May (spring migration). Best spots: Lower bay near the Causeway, Fairhope Pier, shipping channel edges.
Peak months: October (fall migration run), secondary in spring (April–May). Best spots: Creek mouths, passes, sandy bottom near grass edges.
Peak months: January–February (pre-spawn) and December. Best spots: Bridge pilings, dock structures, oyster reefs throughout the bay.
Peak months: April–May and October. Best spots: Open lower bay, follows baitfish schools.
October is the single best month — redfish, speckled trout, and flounder are all active simultaneously in ideal conditions. The fall window from September through mid-November is the most productive stretch of the year. Spring (March through May) is a close second, with the added bonus of the cobia run in April.
Weeks Bay is one of the top redfish and speckled trout fisheries in Baldwin County. The shallow grass flats hold fish year-round, with peak action in spring and fall. Flounder are also common on the bay's sandy edges, and the Magnolia River system running into Weeks Bay holds bass and bluegill in its upper freshwater sections.
The spring cobia migration typically peaks in April, with fish showing from late March through early May depending on water temperature. Mobile Bay is one of the best sight-fishing locations in the Southeast during the run — fish cruise visibly near the surface and can be targeted with live bait or large jigs.
The fall flounder migration — when fish move from the bay toward the Gulf for winter — typically peaks in October and runs through early November. Creek mouths, passes, and channel edges are the primary staging areas. A secondary spring bite is available in April and May as fish move back into the bay.
Yes, though the species mix and effort required changes significantly by season. Winter offers sheepshead and cold-weather trout. Spring and fall are the most productive periods across multiple species. Summer is the hardest season — early morning fishing is essential to beat the heat and find active fish.
The best fishing in Baldwin County happens fast — a good fall cold front, a morning cobia sighting, a late October flounder migration — and the anglers who capitalize on it are the ones who can be on the water in an hour, not the ones still trying to find trailer lights that work.
At Sweetwater Solutions, we store bay boats, center consoles, pontoons, and offshore rigs on AL-181 in Fairhope — within 20 minutes of nearly every public boat ramp in Baldwin County. Easy in, easy out, without the Daphne traffic or the Causeway. When the bite turns on, you'll be glad you're close.
Give us a call or stop by to find the right spot for your rig.
Sweetwater Solutions
16210 State Highway 181, Fairhope, AL 36532
251-210-6500
Looking for the closest boat ramps to store from? See our full guide: Every Public Boat Ramp Within 20 Miles of Fairhope.