State of Alabama Saltwater Fish Limits | Gulf Coast Game Fish.com

SPECIES :: SIZE LIMIT :: DAILY CREEL LIMIT

TL=Total length of fish FL=Length of fish to fork of tail

Amberjack, Greater 28" min FL 1 per person

Amberjack, Lesser 14" - 22" FL No Creel Limit

Banded Rudderfish 14" - 22" FL No Creel Limit

Cobia (Ling) 33" min. FL 2 per person

Drum, Red (Redfish)** 16" min. - 26" max 3 per person - 1 oversized fish allowed in the 3 fish creel limit
Florida Pompano 12" min. TL 3 per person

Flounder 12" min TL No creel limit

Grouper--Gag Grouper*** 22" min TL ***Grouper Aggregate Red Grouper*** 20" min TL ***Only 1 Red grouper is allowed in the 5 fish Grouper Aggregate Black Grouper*** 22" min TL ***Grouper Aggregate Yellowfin Grouper*** 20" min TL ***Grouper Aggregate Scamp*** 16" min TL ***Grouper Aggregate

King Mackerel 24" min. FL 2 per person

Spanish Mackerel no size limit 15 per person

Spotted Seatrout* 14" min. TL 10 per person

Striped Bass**** 16" min TL 2 per person

Triggerfish, Gray 12" min TL Reef fish aggregate*****

Tripletail (Blackfish) 16" min TL 3 per person

Tuna: Yellowfin Tuna 27" min CFL No Creel Limit; Bigeye Tuna 27" min CFL No Creel Limit

day

Alabama has instituted new regulations pertaining to the harvest of shark species for commercial and recreational purposes. Click here for info provided to aid anglers in the identification of common species of sharks which may occur in Alabama's coastal waters.

Prohibited Species: Goliath grouper (jewfish) Nassau grouper, Atlantic angel shark, bigeye thresher, dusky, longfin mako, sand tiger, basking, whale, white, nurse, smalltail, smalltooth sawfish, largetooth sawfish, spotted eagle ray, Atlantic manta.

* Spotted Seatrout (speckled trout) - no undersized fish allowed.
** Red Drum (redfish) - 1 fish may exceed maximum size.
*** Mixed species grouper aggregate creel limit (including Gag): 5 per person
**** Only two Striped Bass are allowed within MRD Jurisdiction.
***** There is a twenty (20) fish aggregate creel limit for reef fish species for which there is no other bag limit. (for example, grunts, porgies, gray triggerfish, vermilion snapper (only 10 allowed vermilion snapper allowed in the 20-fish aggregate), Lane snapper, etc.

Red snapper season closure in federal waters: NOAA Fisheries Service announced that the recreational fishery for red snapper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico opens at 12:01 a.m. on June 1, 2008 and will close effective 12:01 a.m. local time August 5, 2008. Click here for the NOAA Fisheries Bulletin detailing this closure.

Red Snapper 16" TL 2 per person in state and federal waters
Vermillon Snapper (beeliner) 10" TL 10 per person in Reef fish aggregate***** Lane 8" TL Reef Fish aggregate***** Gray (mangrove, black) 12" TL 10 per person

Tarpon 60" TL$50.00 tag required to possess, kill or harvest each tarpon.

Sharks Atlantic Sharpnose none 2 per person per day All Other Shark Species 54" min FL 1 per person per

These limits should be considered 2nd hand information. For exact information be sure to contact State of Alabama Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Fishing Articles

Inshore Saltwater Fish Species on the Alabama Gulf Coast: What kind of fish can I catch in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Mobile, AL? This is where to find out if you want to fish for speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and more. Learn tendencies of each fish and how to target to their feeding patterns.

Tide Charts for Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Mobile Bay: Fishing the tides is a tradition. Knowing the tides is crucial. Fish when tide movement is at its greatest, sometimes the water is still at peak high or low tide. Learn the tides and catch fish.

Surf Fishing in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL: Surf fishing is a year round activity on the beaches of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Learn what fish are biting off the beaches and what baits they typically feed on. Find popular surf fishing gear and tackle to make your trip enjoyable.

Bait & Tackle for fishing the Alabama Gulf Coast: The right bait and tackle is the difference between a great day fishing or a bust. Fill your cooler, hang one on the wall, or take that fish photo of a lifetime by knowing how to match your bait & tackle to your fish.

Alabama Saltwater Fishing Regulations: Know fish bag and creel limits before getting in the water. Some fish have slots, some limits change year to year. Don't be in violation.