Tarpon Fishing in Alabama
Megalops atlanticus
Also known as: Atlantic tarpon, Silver King, baby tarpon, sabalo
Alabama quick take
In Alabama, fish the cleanest summer Gulf-pass connection you can find and stay close to bait.
Max Length
250cm
Typical trophy size
Max Weight
161kg
Record class
Water Temp
73–88°F
Preferred range
Difficulty
5/5
Skill level
How to catch Tarpon in Alabama
In Alabama, fish the cleanest summer Gulf-pass connection you can find and stay close to bait.
Where to fish for Tarpon in Alabama
Focus on lower Mobile Bay, Perdido Bay, inlets, interior marsh areas, coastal Gulf beaches, and passes along the barrier islands.
Fish deep holes on lower tides and nearby shallow edges on higher water because Alabama's official guidance points to both parts of the tide cycle.
Choose the cleanest surf or pass seam with active bait instead of committing to stained beach water.
How to work the pattern in Alabama
Anchor or drift live pinfish, menhaden, or mullet under floats when fish hold in a defined pass or inlet lane.
Cast plugs or white streamer flies at rolling fish when they show on the surface instead of soaking bait blindly.
Move from deep low-tide holes to adjacent shallows as the tide rises so the bait stays in the travel route.
Seasonal behavior in Alabama
Alabama's tarpon season starts in late May, peaks through July and August, and stays alive into early October while Gulf water remains warm. Summer fish use lower Mobile Bay, Perdido Bay, beaches, passes, and interior marsh connections instead of spreading into a statewide year-round pattern. Fall can still hold fish around the same coastal zones, but the bite fades faster once water cools and bait thins out. Alabama differs from the general tarpon page by being sharply seasonal and more dependent on a narrow Gulf-pass window.