Dauphin Island Pier and Middle Beach Fishing

Dauphin Island Pier and Middle Beach is the island's old fishing landmark in a new shape: the long pier now stands over sand, and the surf it once reached lies beyond its end. It is still the heart of the island's public beachfront and a good base for surf fishing.

• The 850-foot pier, now a free walkway with benches and picnic tables
• Steps at the end of the pier lead down onto the sand, with the Gulf surf a long walk beyond
• Gulf kingfish, pompano, redfish, trout and Spanish mackerel in the surf
• The paid Middle Beach lot beside Dauphin Island Elementary School

The pier and Middle Beach are on the Gulf side of Bienville Boulevard in the middle of the island, beside Dauphin Island Elementary School and a short drive west of where the bridge lands.

• The pier: open to walk, free, and closed each day at sundown
• Parking: the Middle Beach lot beside the pier, one of the town's paid beach lots, paid through the ParkMobile app during the day; one day's payment also covers the other town beach lots
• The walk: along the pier to the steps at its end, then a long way over the sand that joined the beach from Pelican Island to reach the surf; the shoreline shifts with every storm
• The sand is soft going; a cart with wide wheels helps with tackle

With Pelican Island joined to the shore, the surf here has a gentle slope and shifting bars, and the catch is classic Gulf beach fishing.

• Spring (Mar-May): Gulf kingfish and pompano move along the beach as the water warms; redfish in the troughs
• Summer (Jun-Aug): speckled trout at dawn, plus Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and hardtails chasing bait
• Fall (Sep-Nov): pompano and kingfish return, big redfish run the beach, and flounder move along the bottom
• Winter (Dec-Feb): quiet, with a few kingfish and redfish on calm, sunny days

A surf rod of 9 to 11 feet with 15 to 20 lb line and 2 to 4 oz pyramid sinkers holds bottom here; take a lighter spinning rod for trout.

• Kingfish and pompano: a two-hook drop rig with fresh shrimp or a scented artificial bait, cast past the first bar
• Redfish: cut mullet or crab on a fish-finder rig in the deeper trough
• Trout: a soft plastic or a topwater plug at first light, worked through the guts between bars
• Spanish mackerel: a small spoon retrieved fast when birds are diving
• A sand spike or two holds rods while you wait for a bite

The island has one high and one low tide on most days, a range of only a foot or two, and the beach changes shape with every storm; check the Dauphin Island area predictions before you go.

• Find the troughs and cuts between the bars at low water, then fish them as the tide rises
• Light winds from the north lay the surf down and clear the water
• A moderate south breeze with clean, green water is often good for pompano
• Strong south winds make a heavy, dirty surf that is hard to fish
• Dawn and dusk are best in the summer heat

The beach is open and exposed, so watch the weather and the water.

• Rip currents form in rough surf; heed the beach flags and stay out of the water under double red flags
• Shuffle your feet when wading to avoid stingrays
• Plan for a long walk over soft sand from the steps to the water, and back again with a load
• Leave the beach at the first thunder; there is no shelter on the sand
• Carry water and sun protection
• Access: the pier deck is an easy walk, but the beach beyond the steps is soft sand

The pier is set up for strolling and picnics more than for anglers.

• Benches and picnic tables along the pier
• A concession stand has operated at the pier; check whether it is open
• Middle Beach public parking
• Restrooms are not confirmed, so plan ahead
• No bait shop confirmed at the beach; bring bait
• Restaurants along Bienville Boulevard are a short walk away

• The pier closes at sundown, so allow time to walk back along it before dark if you use it to reach the beach
• A day's parking payment at Middle Beach also works at East End and West End beaches, so you can move if the surf is better elsewhere
• Bring a cart with wide wheels for rods, a cooler and sand spikes
• Fresh shrimp out-fish frozen for kingfish and pompano
• After a storm, look for new cuts through the bars, where fish gather
• When the Gulf is rough, the island's bay side is calmer

The pier and Middle Beach are run by the Town of Dauphin Island.

• The pier is free and closes each day at sundown
• Parking at Middle Beach is paid; illegally parked vehicles are booted or towed
• No vehicles on the sand, and stay off the protected dunes
• The island's beach rules ban fires, grilling and glass; keep pets on a leash
• 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.
• Check current Marine Resources Division rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything