When blackfin are around Orange Beach
This page covers where and how far boats run for blackfin tuna out of Orange Beach: distances, depths, and the nearest buoy, with no seasonal calendar. The Orange Beach port reference covers Perdido Pass, ramps and conditions. For when blackfin move through the northern Gulf, see our Gulf of Mexico blackfin guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico offshore fishing guide).
Where boats run from Orange Beach
Offshore, reef and wreck trips run to the grounds below, listed nearest to farthest with depth and distance. Distances are for planning, not navigation.
Whiskey Wreck: 150 feet off the beach
Whiskey Wreck is a Gulf Shores dive site 150 feet from Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe. It is a beach-side landmark rather than offshore grounds.
Poseidon’s Playground: 38 ft, 3 miles
Poseidon’s Playground sits 3 miles offshore in 38 ft, the nearest named offshore structure on this list.
Orange Beach artificial reef zone: 8 to 15 miles
The zone lies 8 to 15 miles offshore of Orange Beach. It covers 24 square miles and holds 48 reef sites built from 64 pyramid modules.
The LuLu: 100 ft, about 20 miles south
The LuLu, a freighter wreck formerly the M.V. Yokamu, lies in 100 ft about 20 miles south of Orange Beach.
Argosy VI: 122 ft, about 23 miles
Argosy VI, a former riverboat casino sunk as a reef barge, sits in 122 ft about 23 miles offshore. It is the deepest and farthest structure on this list.
| Structure | Depth | Distance from Orange Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Whiskey Wreck (Gulf Shores dive site) | n/a | 150 feet from Bahama Bob’s Beach Side Cafe |
| Poseidon’s Playground | 38 ft | 3 miles |
| Orange Beach artificial reef zone | n/a | 8 to 15 miles |
| The LuLu (M.V. Yokamu) | 100 ft | about 20 miles south |
| Argosy VI | 122 ft | about 23 miles |
How it is fished here and who fishes it
Offshore, reef and wreck trips
The local charter listing names offshore, reef and wreck fishing, run as half-day and full-day offshore trips. Going by distance alone, a half-day fits the nearer structure, while The LuLu and Argosy VI, at 20-plus miles, fit a full day. Tackle, baits and behavior are covered in the blackfin tuna fishing guide.
Shady Lady Charters
Shady Lady Charters lists blackfin tuna. Per the listing, the boat is a 60-foot A1 Marine vessel run by Captain Brian, offering half-day and full-day offshore trips covering offshore, reef and wreck fishing. The Shady Lady listing on BeachGuide has trip details. It is a reasonable Orange Beach tuna charter to consider for a first run with a local crew.
Reading buoy 42012 before the run
NOAA NDBC station 42012 "Orange Beach" sits at 30.061 N, 87.547 W, 44 NM SE of Mobile, in 27 m of water. Before committing to a 20-plus-mile run to The LuLu or Argosy VI, pull wind, wave height and dominant period from the NDBC station 42012 page, then check the official NWS Mobile coastal waters forecast.
The buoy reports conditions at one point, which may differ from the reef you plan to fish. The numbers help with the go or no-go decision and say nothing about whether fish are present.
FAQ
How far offshore is The LuLu from Orange Beach?
About 20 miles south, in 100 ft. It is a freighter wreck, formerly the M.V. Yokamu.
How deep is the Argosy VI?
122 ft, about 23 miles offshore. It is a former riverboat casino sunk as a reef barge.
What is the Orange Beach artificial reef zone?
A zone of 24 square miles, 8 to 15 miles offshore, with 48 reef sites built from 64 pyramid modules.
Which NOAA buoy covers Orange Beach?
NDBC station 42012 at 30.061 N, 87.547 W, 44 NM SE of Mobile, in 27 m of water. It reports conditions at one point, so treat it as a guide to the general area rather than to a specific reef.
Which Orange Beach charter lists blackfin tuna?
Shady Lady Charters lists the species: a 60-foot A1 Marine vessel running half-day and full-day offshore trips. For other tuna species and ports, see our tuna fishing guides.
