Romar Beach Fishing

Romar Beach is a roomy, relaxed surf beach and a good first stop for anyone new to fishing the Gulf from the sand. The fish are mostly modest, but the bites come often.

• A wide beach with space to spread out rods
• Gulf kingfish and croaker for steady action, pompano in spring and fall
• Jack crevalle, redfish and Spanish mackerel now and then
• Paved parking and restrooms at a Gulf State Park access

Romar Beach is on Perdido Beach Boulevard (Highway 182) in the western part of Orange Beach, a few miles west of Perdido Pass, and is one of the Gulf State Park beach accesses.

• Parking: a paved lot beside the road, with a daily state park fee paid by QR code or at the kiosk
• The day's pass also works at the park's other beach accesses
• Orange Beach residents and military members park free with proof
• A short boardwalk crosses the dunes to the beach
• Overnight parking is not allowed

Surf fishing here is mostly about small, willing fish, with better ones in the spring and fall runs.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and Gulf kingfish along the bar, with the first Spanish mackerel as the water warms
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Gulf kingfish and croaker on small baits, ladyfish and jack crevalle on clear, calm mornings
• Fall (Sep-Nov): pompano return and redfish slide into the troughs
• Winter (Dec-Feb): slow, with Gulf kingfish and the odd redfish on calm days between fronts

A medium surf rod of 9 to 10 feet with 12 to 17 lb line is plenty here.

• Gulf kingfish and croaker: a two-hook bottom rig with size 4 to 1 hooks and small pieces of shrimp, cast just past the breakers
• Pompano: Fishbites or shrimp on a pompano rig with a little float bead above each hook
• Jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel: a heavy spoon or Gotcha plug thrown at breaking fish
• Redfish: cut mullet on a fish-finder rig in the deepest trough in fall
• Children do well with a short rod, a small hook and a bit of shrimp in the first trough

The Gulf off Romar rises and falls only a little, usually once a day each way, so pick a day by the surf and wind rather than the tide.

• Small, clean surf and green water are best
• A light breeze off the land lays the surf down and makes casting easier
• After a big blow, give the water a day to clear
• Early morning is best, before swimmers and the sea breeze arrive
• A rising tide often brings fish into the near trough
• Use tide tables for the Orange Beach and Perdido Pass area

Romar is a busy swimming beach in summer, so fish with care for others.

• Rip currents form along this beach; heed the beach warning flags and keep wading shallow
• Keep lines and hooks well away from swimmers, and fish early when the beach is quiet
• Shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays
• Lightning comes with summer afternoon storms; leave the beach when you hear thunder
• Bring shade and water; the beach has little of either
• Access: a short boardwalk over the dunes, then soft sand to the water

The access covers the basics for a morning of surf fishing.

• Restrooms, with a bathhouse that opened in 2024
• Paved parking
• A dune walkover to the beach
• Food and supplies along the boulevard nearby
• No bait or tackle at the access; buy bait in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores first
• No lights

• This is a good beach to teach children surf fishing; small hooks and shrimp keep them busy with kingfish and croaker
• Spread out along the beach; there is usually room to move away from swimmers
• In summer, finish before mid-morning, when the beach fills and the sea breeze picks up
• Keep a spoon rigged on a second rod for passing jacks and mackerel
• Fresh shrimp outfishes frozen for Gulf kingfish

Romar Beach is a Gulf State Park beach access, managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the park lists surf fishing among its saltwater fishing.

• A daily parking fee applies; overnight parking is not allowed
• Follow the beach rules posted at the access, and keep clear of swimmers
• An Alabama saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Alabama residents who are exempt (and anglers fishing only from a pier that holds a pier license) must still complete the free Saltwater Angler Registration
• Anglers under 16 are exempt from the license
• Check current Marine Resources Division rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything