Orange Beach/Gulf Shores Fishing Report — Week of November 5, 2026: Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, Jack Crevalle

Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, November 12, 2026

This Orange Beach/Gulf Shores fishing report is a seasonal outlook for the week of November 5, built on what typically unfolds on the Alabama coast in early November. Cold fronts arrive more often now, the traditional flounder run is underway or winding down, and the November 9 new moon and earlier sunsets set the timing. Surf conditions along the open Gulf beaches should vary with each front.

What’s Hitting

Sheepshead should be a dependable bet around pilings, jetties and rock structure, where they pick barnacles and crabs off the pilings. Speckled trout tend to gather in deeper bayou holes and channel edges as the shallows cool, and small groups of redfish often join them. Flounder are generally heading toward the Gulf passes during their fall migration, with the best action usually near pass edges before and after fronts. Jack crevalle and bluefish may appear along the beach and in the passes when bait is thick. Expect fish to feed more actively right before a front, then slow for a day or two after.

Where to Find Them

Perdido Pass in Orange Beach and Little Lagoon Pass in Gulf Shores are traditional gateways where flounder, trout and sheepshead funnel. Inside, Wolf Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway offer deeper edges and docks for sheepshead, and Perdido Bay’s grass flats and shoreline hold trout. Gulf State Park Pier extends well past the surf and is a popular option when waves are manageable. Offshore, nearshore reefs and the rigs can hold a mix, though boats should watch for northerly wind that can build rough seas. Fort Morgan and the Alabama Point jetties are also worth a look when the surf calms.

Tides & Conditions

The tidal swing on the Alabama coast is modest compared with the Atlantic, so wind often matters more than the tide table. A northerly wind behind a front can blow water out of the bays and make passes run harder on the falling tide. Moving water in Perdido Pass generally helps flounder and trout, while sheepshead feed more reliably on slower tides near pilings. The new moon on November 9 may add a little extra current. With sunsets earlier, the evening window starts sooner.

Tackle & Tactics

For sheepshead, a stiff medium spinning rod with fluorocarbon leader and a small, strong hook baited with fiddler crab or live shrimp works best, fished straight down beside pilings. For speckled trout, try a popping cork with live shrimp, or a soft-plastic on a quarter-ounce jighead worked slowly along channel edges. Flounder respond to mud minnows or a jig tipped with a strip of bait on the bottom near pass edges. Bring a landing net and gloves, since sheepshead have sharp teeth, and pack a windbreaker for cold mornings. Fresh bait is worth the stop at a local shop.

Local Intel This Week

Popular public spots include the Gulf State Park Pier in Gulf Shores, the Alabama Point area on Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, and Bayou St. John near the state line. Boaters often use the Gulf Shores Public Boat Ramp at Little Lagoon or the Cotton Bayou ramp off the Intracoastal. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish. Flounder rules in Alabama waters can change from year to year, so look up the latest notices before keeping any. Parking at beach accesses can be limited on weekends, so arrive early. Parking at beach accesses can be limited on weekends, so arrive early. Local bait shops along Perdido Pass Road can confirm which piers and ramps are open after storms.

This Week’s Tip

After a front passes and wind lays down, take a light jig to the rocks at Perdido Pass on a falling tide, let it sink along the edge of the jetty, and work it slowly in short hops until you feel a tap.