About Perdido Bay, FL

Perdido Bay is essentially a coastal lagoon enclosed by barrier Islands, with an inlet called the Perdido Pass. It is a relatively shallow water basin that has an average width of two to three miles wide and is approximately 33  miles long. The bay dips up to 15 feet at its deepest point, but the rest of the area is only at an average of three to five feet deep. 

Perdido Bay encompasses both Alabama and Florida communities. It lies east of the Alabama communities of Lilian and Orange Beach, and west of the Florida communities of Pensacola and Perdido Key. The mouth of the bay is within Alabama territory, then it crosses the Florida border at Florida Point and the barrier islands in the east of Alabama Point and Perdido Pass, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. 

The bay provides maritime access to the Gulf and Intracoastal waterway. That is why the 2010 gulf oil spill entrance to the Perdido Pass was shut with the help of a barrier system in June 2010. This is in hopes to control the flow of oil entering from the gulf. Today, the bay doesn’t show signs of the oil spill anymore and is one of the angling locations anglers visit every now and then. 

All About Fishing Perdido Bay, FL

Perdido Bay offers diversified habitat that ranges from brackish water to the north to high salinity conditions to the south. The bay can be divided into three segments: Upper, Middle, and Lower Perdido Bay. The Upper Perdido Bay begins at the mouth of the Perdido River and extends south past the mouths of Bayou Marcus and Elevenile Creek to Cummings Point. This part of the bay remains to be forested. The Middle Bay, the largest segment, is located on the eastern side of the bay. Lastly, the Lower Bay includes the Innerarity Point and Perdido Key in Florida, and the Ono Island and Gulf Shores of Alabama. 

The seagrasses throughout Perdido Bat provide multiple spawning areas and nursery grounds to a lot of fish species. Likewise, the diversified ecosystem of the bay serves as prime habitat for many marine species that are vital to the commercial and recreational angling in the area. Some of the most common species one can land on the area are shrimps, scallops, crabs, redfish, flounder, mullet, Gafftopsail, sea catfish, Jack Crevalle, spotted sea trout, and bass.

There are a lot more species you can target in Perdido Bay no matter what segment you try to fish due to the number of creeks and rivers that feed the bay. However, local anglers in the area report that the area around the mouth of Elevenmile Creek has the most consistent angling action. Meanwhile, the area along the mouth of the Perdido River is also a famous angling hotspot to those looking to catch some trout, drum, and bass. 

Bay fishing can be tricky especially for beginning anglers. One must be able to have the right gear, the right amount of knowledge in their target species, and be able to implement the best strategies. The first is knowing what areas to target. Fish usually dwells in drop-offs, and water convergence zones. Next, one must know the right bait to use. Live bait is the most recommended bait to use when fishing in bays. Just make sure to use the bait which is commonly found in the area.

Fishing Seasonality

Fishing in Perdido bay is possible year-round. However, if you wish to have abundant produce, going into certain months of the year will give you the opportunity to target the species that you like. 

The months of March to April are productive for some redfish and sheepshead. As we transition to the month of May, flounder becomes a common target as it heads back into the bay from the gulf and bayous. One could also spot some sheepshead and redfish. The months of June to July are fos red snappers and King Mackerels. Then come July to September, mackerels, groupers and even snappers are a hot target. 

However, due to the location of the bay, there are a lot of fishing regulations one must be able to remember. It might get confusing because you are looking at fishing regulations in Florida and Alabama, that is why it is important to look at the specific area you are planning to visit and check on the fishing regulation in the area. 

Fishing Seasonality

Fishing in Perdido bay is possible year-round. However, if you wish to have abundant produce, going into certain months of the year will give you the opportunity to target the species that you like. 

The months of March to April are productive for some redfish and sheepshead. As we transition to the month of May, flounder becomes a common target as it heads back into the bay from the gulf and bayous. One could also spot some sheepshead and redfish. The months of June to July are fos red snappers and King Mackerels. Then come July to September, mackerels, groupers and even snappers are a hot target. 

However, due to the location of the bay, there are a lot of fishing regulations one must be able to remember. It might get confusing because you are looking at fishing regulations in Florida and Alabama, that is why it is important to look at the specific area you are planning to visit and check on the fishing regulation in the area. 

All About Fishing Perdido Bay, FL

Perdido Bay offers diversified habitat that ranges from brackish water to the north to high salinity conditions to the south. The bay can be divided into three segments: Upper, Middle, and Lower Perdido Bay. The Upper Perdido Bay begins at the mouth of the Perdido River and extends south past the mouths of Bayou Marcus and Elevenile Creek to Cummings Point. This part of the bay remains to be forested. The Middle Bay, the largest segment, is located on the eastern side of the bay. Lastly, the Lower Bay includes the Innerarity Point and Perdido Key in Florida, and the Ono Island and Gulf Shores of Alabama. 

The seagrasses throughout Perdido Bat provide multiple spawning areas and nursery grounds to a lot of fish species. Likewise, the diversified ecosystem of the bay serves as prime habitat for many marine species that are vital to the commercial and recreational angling in the area. Some of the most common species one can land on the area are shrimps, scallops, crabs, redfish, flounder, mullet, Gafftopsail, sea catfish, Jack Crevalle, spotted sea trout, and bass.

There are a lot more species you can target in Perdido Bay no matter what segment you try to fish due to the number of creeks and rivers that feed the bay. However, local anglers in the area report that the area around the mouth of Elevenmile Creek has the most consistent angling action. Meanwhile, the area along the mouth of the Perdido River is also a famous angling hotspot to those looking to catch some trout, drum, and bass. 

Bay fishing can be tricky especially for beginning anglers. One must be able to have the right gear, the right amount of knowledge in their target species, and be able to implement the best strategies. The first is knowing what areas to target. Fish usually dwells in drop-offs, and water convergence zones. Next, one must know the right bait to use. Live bait is the most recommended bait to use when fishing in bays. Just make sure to use the bait which is commonly found in the area.