Species guide · Alabama
Atlantic croaker fishing in Alabama
Micropogonias undulatus, an inshore species also called croaker, hardhead and pinhead. Listed for the Eastern Gulf region. Peak season, about 1 more week.
Right now it scores best in Mississippi Sound at 72, one of 4 Alabama bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Eastern Gulf
Peak season, about 1 more week- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Jul to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Oct.
Research notes, Eastern Gulf region
Pattern similar to the western Gulf in Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay and Panhandle bays. Values here are extrapolated from the western Gulf and Atlantic pattern and are low confidence.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
Alabama bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's atlantic croaker score this hour.
Best window today 4-11 AM (77) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 8 AM (77) · 53 named spots
Best window today 4-11 AM (75) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 8 AM (75) · 33 named spots
Best window today 4 AM-2 PM (75) · Best day Tue, Sep 22 at 9 AM (76) · 20 named spots
Best window today 6-11 AM (78) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 8 AM (78) · 21 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 55°F to 90°F, best between 65°F and 82°F.
- Water depth
- 2 to 40 ft of water.
- Structure
- Channel, oyster, pier, bridge, bay, estuary, surf and inlet, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers high tide and moving water, with light current.NCDMF says croaker fishing is best just before or just after high tide in channels or deep holes.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk; feeds at night too.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 3 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Croaker feed on mud and sand bottom along channel edges, oyster bars, piers and deeper holes in bays and sounds, mostly in 5 to 30 feet of water. A two-hook bottom rig with small hooks and shrimp, bloodworm or squid catches them from piers, the surf and small boats. Fish the hours around high tide and into the evening.
- Methods
- bottom fishing
- Lures
- small jig heads tipped with bait, scented synthetic bait strips
- Bait
- shrimp, bloodworms, squid, clams, peeler crab
Regulations
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division. Synced with ADCNR Marine Resources Sep 21, 2026.
No reviewed atlantic croaker rule for Alabama is on file yet. Check with ADCNR Marine Resources before you keep one.