Episode
Winter Curveballs on the Gulf Coast: Tuna Runs, Bull Reds, and the Trout That Won't Commit
- Published
- Feb 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4979
- Processing state
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Summary
In this episode of the Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report, host Butch Thierry delivers a wide-ranging look at winter fishing conditions along the northern Gulf Coast, touching on everything from offshore tuna runs to inshore redfish, sheepshead, and the ongoing struggle to pattern speckled trout. The show opens with a candid offshore report from Captain Brandon Collier , who details a long run on the Blackjack in pursuit of yellowfin tuna that turned into a battle with heavy boat pressure and overwhelming numbers of sharks. Although tuna were clearly present and feeding early, Collier explains how timing, crowding, and shark activity made landing a fish nearly impossible, forcing a pivot to bottom fishing on natural structure. That plan B paid off with lane snapper, porgies, and tilefish, along with a useful breakdown of how to identify productive bottom using electronics, zoom settings, and life marks before ever dropping bait. The conversation shifts inshore as Collier shares a bright spot in an otherwise tough winter, describing memorable sight-fishing trips for bull redfish and black drum along shallow flats and barrier island shorelines. Using clear water, sunshine, and elevation from kayaks, towers, or even drones, he explains how spotting dark shapes and schools is often more important than worrying about tide or temperature. He also breaks down finesse presentations with buoyant soft plastics that can be dead-sticked in shallow water, triggering bites even when anglers aren't actively working the lure. At the same time, he doesn't sugarcoat the current speckled trout bite, describing a frustrating pattern of short strikes, slaps, and non-committal fish that seem more reactive than hungry, often forcing anglers to rely on jerkbaits and treble-hook lures to convert…