This week on the Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report, Nick Williams opens a new chapter for the show, officially shifting the focus from a statewide format to a deeper, more place-based look at fishing in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Nick explains why the change makes sense after years of the show naturally drifting south, and why zeroing in on the Delta allows for more consistent, higher-quality reports from anglers who truly know this water. It’s a nod to the show’s roots, the local voices that built it, and the sense of place that has always defined Great Days Outdoors, even as the media network continues to grow and evolve.

The episode kicks off with Dip McMillan of Dippi Outdoors, who checks in with an outstanding crappie report from the upper Delta. Dip says the bite has been nothing short of unreal, with crappie stacked up in creek channels and suspended over shad in 14 to 20 feet of water. He and his crew have been catching thick, healthy fish in the 12- to 15-inch range, to the point that 10- and 11-inchers are getting tossed back. Dip breaks down how forward-facing sonar has helped him stay on roaming schools, why natural-colored jigs are getting crushed right now, and how cold water temperatures in the low-50s are keeping fish suspended instead of pushing shallow. He also touches on recent water level swings, explaining how strong north winds quickly flushed floodwater out of the system and reset conditions across much of the Delta.

Next, Nick is joined by Darren Shirah of Reel Time Outdoors with Darren for a wide-ranging conversation that blends bass fishing, panfish tactics, catfishing, and even hog hunting. Darren says winter fishing has been excellent across the board, especially during low water, when fish are forced out of shallow backwaters and concentrate along creek mouths, cuts, and subtle depth changes. He shares how he’s been catching bass, bream, and crappie on simple, confidence baits like Beetle Spins and spinnerbaits, adjusting colors based on water clarity and focusing on incoming tide windows. Darren also talks about running limb lines for blue catfish, and explains why he prefers staking big blues into thick steaks for cleaner flavor. The conversation rounds out with insights on hog populations in the Delta, how cold weather and water levels affect them, and why time on the water often turns into time chasing pigs when opportunity knocks.

It’s all brought to you by Great Days Outdoors. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text the word “fishing” to (646) 495-9867 or click the link in the show notes to join our email list. Every Mobile-Tensaw Delta Fishing Report subscriber gets a promo code for a free AFTCO sun protection mask with any purchase.

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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, we’re kicking things off with Peter Jordan for a wide-ranging conversation that blends fishing, seasonal patterns, and what’s happening right now on the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Peter recaps a recent press conference at the Blind Tiger in Fairhope, where state leaders announced movement toward a ban on mud dumping in Mobile Bay, and he explains why this matters so much for anglers, hunters, coastal communities, and the long-term health of the bay. From there, the conversation turns to fishing, with Peter breaking down current winter conditions in the Delta, how cooler water and shifting tides are spreading fish throughout the water column, and why steady retrieves, subsurface presentations, and vibration-heavy baits are shining right now. He shares practical advice on bass behavior leading into the pre-spawn window, how rising and falling winter water affects fish positioning, and why paddle craft like kayaks and canoes can be a huge advantage for getting into shallow, overlooked areas that are holding fish.

In the second half of the show, Nick is joined by Justin Dunnam of Eight Mile Drifter for a laid-back but information-packed discussion on fishing the Delta and nearby waters during a highly variable winter. Justin talks about navigating high and muddy water, when to focus on lower Delta creeks closer to the bay, and why places like Fly Creek, Fowl River, and even Lake Shelby can be reliable options when the rivers are blown out. He also dives into tackle talk, sharing his go-to, general-purpose lure lineup for Gulf Coast anglers who want to keep things simple while still covering bass, redfish, and speckled trout. From topwater plugs and fluke-style baits to spinner arms, soft plastics, and scent-based lures, Justin lays out a practical system that works across species and seasons. The conversation wraps with thoughts on seasonal transitions, rebuilding confidence during tough bites, and why slowing down, simplifying your gear, and paying attention to water temperature and forage can make all the difference this time of year.

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In this episode of the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, host Nick Williams welcomes legendary angler and lunar fishing chart expert Don Green, long-time contributor to Great Days Outdoors Magazine.

Don shares proven moon phase fishing tactics and explains how solar and lunar cycles, barometric pressure, and tides can impact bass fishing success on Alabama's lakes, rivers, and the Mobile Delta.

Dive into the fascinating world of lunar fishing charts, learn how environmental changes and conservation efforts affect local fisheries, and get Don's top tips for seasonal fishing, lure selection, and making your own custom fishing baits.

This episode is packed with practical advice for anglers of all skill levels, covering everything from boat choice and tackle evolution to bass fishing strategies and ethical outdoor traditions. Whether you're interested in striper fishing, tournament tips, or improving your success in private ponds, this show is a must-listen for anyone passionate about Alabama freshwater fishing.

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Join hosts Joe Baya, Butch Theory, and Nick Williams for a special holiday episode of the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, presented by Great Days Outdoors Magazine.

In this Christmas Special, the captains discuss the best fishing gift ideas and must-have angling gear for 2025, covering both freshwater and saltwater essentials. Listeners will discover expert recommendations on waders, filet knives, vacuum sealers, rain gear, polarized sunglasses, portable sonar, safety equipment, and more.

The episode is packed with angler safety tips, reviews of top fishing products and brands like AFTCO and Stayput Anchor, with practical advice for both beginner and veteran anglers. Whether you’re looking for last-minute Christmas gifts for fishermen or want to upgrade your outdoor equipment, this fishing podcast has everything you need for a successful year on Alabama’s lakes and rivers.

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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, we’re joined by longtime Lake Eufaula angler Steve “Graz” Graziano for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked windows of the year for trophy bass: the dead of winter. Graz explains why December through February consistently produce the biggest fish in the lake, breaking down how large female bass feed heavily during this period as they begin staging for the spawn. He emphasizes the importance of getting on the water early, noting that many of his double-digit bass—including fish over 10 and 12 pounds—came in the morning hours when most anglers were still at home waiting on warmer temperatures.

Graz walks listeners through how he approaches winter bass fishing, focusing on creek mouths, ditches, hard bottoms, and areas close to deep water where big fish can slide up to feed and quickly retreat. He explains how water temperature in the low-to-mid 50s can trigger aggressive feeding behavior, why changing lake conditions like rising water or stained runoff matter, and how electronics—especially side scan and modern sonar—have changed the way anglers locate and target trophy-class fish. From jigs and Carolina rigs to crankbaits, tail spinners, and jigging spoons, Graz shares the specific presentations he relies on to entice pressured, cold-water bass.

He closes with a reminder that winter fishing is more predictable than most anglers realize, especially for those willing to put in the time and trust patterns built over years on the water. With fewer boats, stable conditions, and bass actively feeding, Graz believes the winter months offer the best chance of the year to connect with the fish of a lifetime.

The Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report is brought to you by Great Days Outdoors. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text ALFFR to (779) 345-2918 to join our email list and receive a promo code for a free AFTCO sun protection mask with any purchase.

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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, we’re starting off down on the Mobile-Tensaw Delta with Peter Jordan of Delta Marine and Outdoors. Peter says this first real stretch of cold weather has settled the Delta nicely. The algae bloom has backed off, the water has cleared up, and the tides have lined up in a way that’s giving anglers a rare window for sight-fishing. Right now, you can ease along the Causeway and visually pick off redfish sliding around the shallows, and if you really want a challenge, Peter explains why this is one of the best times of year to try your hand at sight-fishing buffalo. They’re picky, they’re spooky, and they eat tiny insect-style flies—something Peter says pushed his fly-fishing skills in ways redfish never do.

As bass begin sliding into their late-fall feeding patterns, Peter breaks down why this season is one of the most consistent windows for quality fish in the Delta. With the salt wedge gone and the water mixing freely again, bass are roaming and keying hard on finger mullet. He’s finding fish pushed well into areas he normally considers “saltwater territory” and catching them on articulated flies, glide-style streamer patterns, suspended jerkbaits, and slow topwater presentations. He also talks about how warming mud flats on rising tides act like heating pads that draw stunned baitfish shallow, creating afternoon feeding flurries that reward anglers who sleep in.

Peter closes with a great reminder: fall in the Delta is basically our version of the spring bite everywhere else. The fish are feeding, the conditions are stable, and on any given cast you might hook a largemouth, a redfish, or even the buffalo you’ve been chasing all morning. It’s a special time to be out there.

Next, we check in with with Darren Shirah of Reel Time Outdoors, who’s been splitting his days between fishing, and chasing hogs. Darren loves this stretch of cool weather just as much, and he says the fishing has been better than it’s been all year. He’s been catching a mixed bag of bream, bass, and the occasional crappie on everything from crickets to beetle-spins, with bass beginning to group up on points and deeper pockets as they shift into their winter patterns.

Darren walks through his favorite way to fish his handmade eighth-ounce jigs, which he modeled after the classic Strike King Bitsy series but with a bigger four-aught hook to give him more confidence around wood and brush. He talks about reading the bite, why most people miss jig fish without realizing it, and how the biggest bass often “just pick it up” instead of smashing it. Hook sets are free, he reminds folks, and worth making even when the bite feels funny.

It’s all brought to you—good, bad, or ugly—by Great Days Outdoors. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text the word “fishing” to (646) 495-9867 or click the link in the show notes to join our email list. Every Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report subscriber gets a promo code for a free AFTCO sun protection mask with any purchase.

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Dixie Supply

Bucks Island

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Fishbites

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SE Pond

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Stayput Anchors

Black Buffalo

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Mobile Boat

This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, we’re kicking things off on Lake Eufaula with guide Steve “Graz” Graziano, who says the lake is finally settling into that sweet early-winter groove. Graz explains that water levels are still high, but the cooler temperatures have pushed shad back into the creeks, and that shift has flipped the bite from slow and picky to fast and aggressive. Moving baits are the name of the game now, and Graz is loving every minute of it. He talks about how those little ditches and drains are funneling fish into tight pockets, sometimes producing a bite every cast. Graz also breaks down how he’s using his electronics—not to chase single fish with forward-facing sonar, but to find bait balls, locate structure, and stay locked onto areas where threadfin shad and bass are stacked together. He explains why winter bass are predictable, how they follow food more than anything else this time of year, and why December through February is prime time for catching the heaviest fish of the entire season. If you want to chase some big pre-spawn females, Graz shares where he’s concentrating, what baits are turning heads, and how to get in touch if you want a guided trip while the lake is hot and the pressure is low.

Next, we swing down south to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta to catch up with Dip McMillian, who’s been enjoying the cooler weather and squeezing in some time on the water between getting ready for his annual youth squirrel hunt. Dip says water temps around 63–64 degrees had the fish holding on structure in 8 to 12 feet of water, and when a cold front settled in Sunday morning, the bite absolutely lit up. Dip breaks down how he zig-zagged with side-scan until he found hundreds of yards of untouched structure, and why those fish were so fired up they didn’t even pause before hammering the bait. He also talks about how cooling temps may push fish into suspended schools soon and what anglers can expect as winter tightens its grip. And of course, he gives the latest details on this weekend’s Dippie Outdoors Youth Squirrel Hunt at Hubbard’s Landing, with prizes, giveaways, game wardens onsite, and families coming in from across Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. If you’re looking for a great way to introduce kids to the Delta, Dip’s event is the place to be.

Rounding out this week’s report, we head over to the Cahaba River to talk with Stephen Rockarts, who just connected with the kind of Alabama Bass every river angler dreams about. He tells the whole story of a 21¾-inch, 4-pound-12-ounce spotted bass that ate a six-inch kinky muddler—one of those fish you chase for years on small creeks. Stephen walks through the cast, the eat, and the fight to keep the fish out of a rock shelf before finally sliding it into the net. He also explains why winter is his personal favorite season for trophy Alabama bass on small rivers, how sink lines help keep flies tracking perfectly in current, and why he steps away from guiding this time of year to make room for his own fishing and personal resets. Between the food, the company, the big fish, and a day where everything lined up just right, Stephen says it’s one he’ll be telling his grandkids about. And if you’re hoping to book a spring fly-fishing trip for spotted bass, redeyes, or smallmouth, Stephen shares how to reach the Fly Fishing Alabama crew before dates fill up.

It’s all brought to you—good, bad, or ugly—by Great Days Outdoors. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text the word “fishing” to (646) 495-9867 or click the link in the show notes to join our email list. Every Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report subscriber gets a promo code for a free AFTCO sun-protection mask with any purchase.

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This week on the Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report, we’re doing something a little different and heading north into the Great Smoky Mountains with Birmingham angler and backcountry fly fisherman Andre Davis. Andre spends a good chunk of his year exploring wild streams throughout the park, and he joins us to break down exactly how Alabama anglers can plan a first-time Smokies trip without getting overwhelmed. Andre talks through how the seasonal weather shift opens the door for cooler-water adventures, why winter is actually one of the best windows to start planning a spring trout trip, and how the park’s endless network of blue-line creeks can make even a two-day getaway feel like a full-blown expedition. He explains how he first discovered the Smokies when he moved south from Missouri, what drew him back after getting hooked on fly fishing in the Northeast, and how the popularity of the area doesn’t have to mean crowded water if you know how to approach it. Andre shares his simple philosophy for finding solitude in one of the most visited parks in the country: start at the obvious access points, then hike three-quarters of a mile to a mile upstream before ever rigging your rod. In his experience, that short walk is all it takes to get into beautiful, quiet water that most people never reach.

From there, we get into the differences between stocked fish, delayed-harvest stretches, native brook trout water, and how quickly fishing regulations can change once you cross from Tennessee into North Carolina. Andre explains what first-timers need to know about the signage, how to read the rules around harvest seasons, and why checking in with local fly shops and ranger stations is the safest and easiest way to stay legal. He walks through the tools he uses before every trip—Recreation.gov, state stocking schedules, and a handful of regional Facebook groups—and encourages new anglers to visit fly shops not just for flies, but to build real relationships with the people who fish those waters every day. As André puts it, buying a few flies, showing up at their tying nights or community events, and simply being part of the local crowd can open doors to mentorship and access you won’t find on a map.

Gear-wise, Andre breaks down what Alabama anglers should pack and what they should leave in the truck. He talks about how mountain streams demand a lighter, more intentional loadout, why wool layers and good boots matter more than the brand of fly you’re carrying, and how quickly current can surprise someone who’s only fished warm-water creeks back home. We also get into wading safety, the value of a sturdy staff, and the surprising way slow, flat water can hide some of the strongest undercurrents in the park. Andre shares a few hard-learned lessons from hundreds of miles of wading, along with a reminder to read up on stream safety before going, just so those instincts are already in place if something unexpected happens.

To wrap things up, we explore the logistics of planning a first Smokies fishing weekend. Andre outlines simple home-bases like Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Cherokee, and Bryson City, each with affordable motels, easy dining, and shockingly fast access to wild water. He also talks about how the most roadside, obvious creeks often fish better than people think, simply because everyone assumes they’re too pressured. And for anglers wanting the classic Smokies experience—native fish, pocket water, and zero crowds—Andre explains how just a short hike can put you in places that feel like you’ve stepped thousands of years back in time. If you’ve ever wanted an adventure close to home, this episode is full of encouragement, tips, and stories to get you planning your own trout trip the moment deer season winds down.

It’s all brought to you—good, bad, or ugly—by Great Days Outdoors. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text the word “fishing” to (646) 495-9867 or click the link in the show notes to join our email list. Every Alabama Freshwater Fishing Report subscriber gets a promo code for a free AFTCO sun-protection mask with any purchase.

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