Deep Sea Fishing: Orange Beach, Al

Situated along the scenic Gulf Coast, Orange Beach, Alabama, is a premier fishing destination offering anglers a wealth of opportunities and experiences. With its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Orange Beach provides a diverse fishing environment that caters to all sorts of anglers.

Deep Sea Fishing Techniques

Two main effective ways of deep sea fishing are bottom fishing and trolling. While very different from each other, both offer a great time full of reeling in massive species from the deep.

Bottom Fishing

Bottom fishing offers anglers a rewarding and diverse fishing experience. This technique involves dropping baited lines to the ocean floor, targeting a range of species that inhabit the bottom structure, including various reef fish and predators. The deep seas off Orange Beach boast an abundance of natural and artificial reefs, ledges, and wrecks, which serve as ideal habitats for bottom-dwelling fish. Bottom fishing presents a chance for anglers to test their skills and strength against powerful fish that inhabit these depths. Species like grouper and amberjack, known for their size and strength, provide exciting battles and put anglers' tackle and techniques to the test.

Trolling

Troll fishing offers anglers an exciting and dynamic fishing experience. Trolling involves dragging bait or lures behind a moving boat, covering a large area of water to entice predatory fish. This technique targets an array of species that inhabit these offshore waters. Mahi-mahi, king mackerel, wahoo, and tuna are among the sought-after catches that anglers anticipate while trolling. Troll fishing presents anglers with an unforgettable adventure and the opportunity to reel in some of the ocean's most prized and challenging game fish.

Top Targeted Deep Sea Species

There are plenty of species of fish anglers can target when fishing in deep waters off the coast of Orange Beach. Here are some of the top sought-after and most frequently caught species one can expect:

Mahi-Mahi

Mahi-mahi are prized game fish known for their vibrant colors and acrobatic fights, providing thrilling angling opportunities.

King Mackerel

King mackerel are large, fast-swimming, highly sought-after predators. They put up a strong fight when hooked, which can be a blast for any anglers looking for a tough battle.

Cobia

Cobia are a powerful species known for their size and strength, growing up to 6 feet in length. It is always a thrill when hooked up on a cobia.

Red Snapper

Red snappers are prized for their delicious taste and are a popular target species among anglers. They inhabit reefs and structures in offshore waters, making bottom dropping the most effective way of targeting them. Read more about this species in our new Fishing for Red Snappers in Orange Beach blog.

Wahoo

Wahoo are known for their speed and aggressive nature, which means they’re sure to put up a fight when you get one on the line. Typically, wahoo will live a solitary life, but you can sometimes find them swimming in small groups of 2 or 3 at deep depths. If you’re in search of a wahoo, your best bet is trolling for them.

Sailfish

Sailfish are iconic billfish species known for their incredible speed and acrobatics. They are known for their adrenaline-pumping fights and impressive aerial displays. Due to their speed and agility, trolling for sailfish is quite the show where they get to show off why they are oftentimes argued to be the fastest fish in the ocean.

Popular Deep Sea Fishing Areas Near Orange Beach

Alabama Reef Zones

The Alabama Marine Resources Division has deployed hundreds of artificial reefs off the coast of Orange Beach. These reefs provide excellent habitats for species like red snapper, grouper, and amberjack.

Nipple and Spur

Located about 30-40 miles offshore, these underwater structures are hotspots for pelagic species like wahoo, tuna, and mahi-mahi.

The Edge

Approximately 20 miles south of Orange Beach, The Edge is a drop-off where the shallow continental shelf transitions to deeper waters. This area is productive for trolling species such as king mackerel, wahoo, and sailfish.

Offshore Oil Rigs

The offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico create structures that attract a variety of fish species. Anglers can find species like cobia, amberjack, and snapper around these rigs.

Book Your Orange Beach Deep Sea Trip

Whether you want to troll the deep blue in hopes of wrestling a massive sailfish in or reeling in a monster red snapper from the deep, Orange Beach has you covered. Check out our Orange Beach fishing charters to book your next deep sea trip with one of our many local professional fishing guides. To learn more about Orange Beach, Alabama, and fishing, visit our updated Orange Beach fishing guide.