There are many ways to catch redfish, as they are typically very ravenous feeders. 2 Trolling Species. Basically, you are required to NOT create an unsafe condition for others. Yellowfin Tuna are an excellent fish to fish for on overnight fishing charters. Bull Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Mako Shark, Fishing 8-20 miles off the shores of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Ft. Morgan & Perdido Key for some of the most popular Alabama fish species Flounder don’t tend to swim around to hunt for food. The most stingrays I ever caught in an outing was on chunks of frozen cigar minnows. Fishing in our back bays, bayous, canals and rivers Black drum are close cousins to the redfish, or red drum. To catch pompano, focus your efforts in the early springtime through early summer, and use sand fleas if you can find them. Sometimes the impacts are negative, and other times they can be positive. So, if you want to deliberately target sharks, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the Alabama restrictions. What Fish are in Season for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL. Much like Spanish mackerel, blues are more of a target of opportunity if you happen upon a busting school of fish in the surf. Anytime you’re soaking baits on the bottom for bull reds or black drum in Gulf Shores, you’re eventually going to encounter the local shark population. I have an article here on how to unhook a stingray without getting stung. Blue crab, shrimp, and cut fish, especially mullet heads, are all great bait options. Goofy jigs are really just colored lead molded around a hook in a particular shape. Flounder ( Gulf, Southern) April - October: X: X Groupers (black,gag,red,scamp,yellowfin) Year … You can fish for small sharks with the same rig as you would normally use for bull reds. Blue Fish, Flounder, Pompano, Redfish, Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, Tripletail, White Shrimp and Whiting, Alabama Coast Inshore – Back Bay fish Species, Fishing within sight of land along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast Krocodile spoons and Hopkins spoons both work really well for casting to bluefish. Larger ones will commonly bite your leaders off before you can actually get them in. Kingfish (typical 10-35 lbs.) They’ll also hit all manner of baits that you might normally add to your pompano rigs. Around Gulf Shores, and surrounding waters, they’ll typically only be 1-3 lbs, but can get bigger – 2 to 3 times that size on occasion. If you’re having problems with a lot of trash fish eating your baits, you can fish with straight Fishbites, which reds will readily hit. All you need is a similar setup as you would normally use for bass fishing, whether that be spinning or conventional. You can use sand fleas, shrimp, and various colors of Fishbites to find what they prefer on a given day.When casting out, you’ll need to try close, medium and far. Prohibited Species: Goliath Grouper, Nassau Grouper, Queen Conch, Prohibited Sharks, Sturgeon, Spotted Eagle Ray. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! If you’re new to the area, you might actually be surprised what all fish you can catch in Gulf Shores. If in doubt, throw it back, it is not worth the fine. 20 to 30 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon leader will do the trick. With specialized gear, such as large reels and steel leaders, you can fight these larger sharks onto the sand. The running of the bulls is a seasonal affair, with the best fishing around Gulf Shores starting in the fall and lasting into early winter (Oct, Nov and Dec). To stay up to date on commercial and recreational managed species visit the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Federal Regulations page. Lane Snapper, Vermillion Snapper (Beeliner), Red Snapper, and Triggerfish They fight hard, and the smaller ones, that fall within the slot, are great eating. When you catch a bluefish, be sure to grasp them firmly as they can administer a nasty bite if you aren’t careful. But more convenient (and less expen$ive) are the waterproof, folding guides " Fishing Regulations for the Gulf Of Mexico " and " Fishes of The Northern and Western Gulf Coast ". My typical setup would be to use 2 or more rods with 2 hook pompano rigs on each. I would heartily recommend you invest in a copy of Vic Dunaway's "Sport Fish of the Gulf of Mexico". The Reef Fish Endorsement will be required for any person possessing, taking or attempting to take any gulf reef fish species listed in Rule 220-3-.46 (see below). Stingrays will hit many of the same rigs and natural baits you cast out for other species, including shrimp, small crabs, and cut bait. You can find the regulations discussed here, and make up your own mind. They are fast swimmers that primarily eat fish and rarely attack humans. Any bait that mimics a small silver fish, such as a silver spoon, will gain plenty of interest from surrounding schools of ladyfish. However, you should know that Alabama has more stringent regulations than surrounding states when it comes to specifically targeting sharks from the beach. A Reef Fish Endorsement will be available for purchase for recreational licenses beginning August 26, 2019. White Grunt (typical 1 lb.) First up is the Florida pompano, which is probably the most prized fish from Gulf Shores beaches. While red snapper get a lot of the glory, there’s also great inshore fishing in Orange Beach almost year around. You’ll need to be extremely careful not to get pierced by the barb when unhooking them. Although the majority of these fish will migrate through, it is possible to catch them year round. When the water is clear, Spanish will move in close to the beach, where you can reach them with heavy lures. If anything, you’ll normally be trying to avoid catfish, rather than catch them. They commonly reach weights of 30 to 50 pounds in this area. After casting a few times with a spoon I put a Gulf Rig on baited with sand fleas and landed a 30" Red very nice fight and the seaweed didn't help. This Gulf Coast fishing calendar was created to give prospective anglers an idea of what species they may expect to catch in the month they are planning to fish on the Alabama gulf coast and Florida panhandle. One way to minimize the onslaught of catfish on your baits is to use Fishbites. I’ve actually had some beach days that were better than some of the expensive deep sea charter trips I’ve been on. Compare reviews of sea bass and tuna. Therefore, you’ll need to move your bait around until you find the fish. sources of information available to help you to identify your fish. There are plenty of Youtube videos showing you how to catch sand fleas with a rake. They will hit all the common natural baits used for surf fishing, such as live shrimp, cut bait, and squid. They typically range from 1 to 3 lbs, and must be 15-22″ in total length to keep. I do have an article specifically dedicated to this topic if you are interested: Catch Sharks By Casting Baits From The BeachIf in doubt, you could always purchase a Florida saltwater license, and shark fish all you want across the state line. You’ll most commonly encounter the Gulf kingfish and the Southern kingfish, but you could run across a Northern as well. The standard fish finder rig, or Carolina rig, works well for redfish. Whiting, or “kingfish”, are extremely common along Gulf Shores beaches, and they are very easy to catch. If coming from a freshwater fishing background, it might seem strange to know that catfish are extremely common in the surf as well. In Alabama, you are allowed to have one of the fish in your limit to go over 22″. These “poor man’s tarpon” are quite easy to catch when they’re around. Using a shrimp or plastic lure in combination with a popping cork is a great method for catching trout. One of the most ultimately definitive fish ID publications is Dr Bob Shipp's " Guide To Fishes Of The Gulf of Mexico ". Specks are very active fighters, and are a lot of fun on light tackle. Wahoo, Bull Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi, Dorado), Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin, Jewels of the Blue Waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama offers a variety of types of charter fishing trips, AAA CHARTERS, INC.   |   GULF SHORES, ALABAMA   |. From bluefish, flounder, and pompano to yellowfin tuna, swordfish, and blue marlin, this area has no shortage of great species. You’ll find whiting hanging out in the guts off the beach. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are known as beach towns that attract families from far beyond Alabama, but the area is also an angling mecca, particularly famed for fast action on red snapper during the short but very productive season. Whether the tide is IN or OUT has a lot to do with the best times to fish Gulf Shores. We offer fishing charters from our back bays, bayou, and rivers to 100+ miles offshore, and everywhere in between. When hooked, they have a sort of scaled down version of the acrobatics common to their larger cousin, the tarpon. There are tons of other species that you might wander upon while fishing on, or near Gulf Shores beaches. Spanish are more of a target of opportunity when fishing from the beach. Ten minutes later he had the fish on the sandbar and could identified it being a large Redfish.While attempting to bring the fish closer into shore the Red broke free. From waterbirds like the heron and white ibis to plovers, gulls and seabirds, there are many ornithological wonders in the Gulf Shores area that are sure to please bird-watching enthusiasts who book Gulf Shores vacation home rentals.. Big Game Fish Species--photo by Captain Johnny Greene. Amberjack, Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Fishing 70-100+ miles of the Gulf of Mexico Coast in search of Big Game Fish Species Anything beyond that would be fairly specialized, and out of the context of this article. You won’t be able to outpace these speedsters. Commercial license sales will begin on September 16, 2019. There is also the gafftopsail catfish, which is a much better eating fish, and generally larger and more sporting as well. Popular with anglers looking for Redfish fishing charters in Gulf Shores Capt. Bluefish have a toothy mouth, so you’ll need a heavy monofilament leader to battle with them. Live bait, lures and fresh dead bait all work good for speckled trout. When we were kids growing up, most of the fishing we did along the Alabama Gulf Coast was near shore trolling for these two species of pelagic fish (migratory non-reef fish). My interpretation of the Alabama law (Rule 220-2-.42) is that you can probably target them, as long as there are no beach goers around. to pin your bait to the bottom. Spinner sharks are long and slender with a pointed snout. The fish was grouper, and it … Florida has it’s own regulations that you would need to abide by, but Florida is generally more shark friendly when fishing from the beach. I like to have an extra rod rigged up, and on the ready for when I see a school of feeding fish making their way down the beach. There are also many other ways to catch them using various lures such as jerkbaits, walk the dog topwaters, jigs, shrimp imitators and various soft plastics. This is what makes surf fishing so interesting to me, compared to freshwater pursuits. King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and Jack Crevalle are seasonal fish and are only around during the warmer months of the year. Whiting are predominantly a bottom feeding fish, so you’ll need to put baits on or near the bottom. The species is a gray-bronze color with a white belly. Lake Shelby Pier, Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores At Gulf State Park is Lake Shelby and several places to cast your line. Live shrimp, finger mullet, Gulp baits, plastic jigs, plastic shrimp, and bucktails are all excellent choices. Sea Bass (typical 1 lb.) Inshore Fish Species In Orange Beach, Alabama The best inshore fishing trips along the Alabama Gulf Coast is for Speckled Trout, White Trout, Flounder and Redfish. If you have any questions regarding what species are currently in season please contact either the Gulf Shores (215-968-7576) or Dauphin Island (251-861-2882) office and speak with an enforcement officer. Sometimes these run so thick it feels impossible to catch anything else. There are 2 different species of flounder that you may run across on Gulf Shores and surrounding beaches. On those rigs, I use a mixture of baits and colors until I hone in on a preference for the day. Access to hundreds of miles of waterways offers the opportunity to catch a wide range of Alabama gulf coast fish species, throughout the seasons of the year. So, if you want to minimize pickups from sharks, you should focus your efforts to daytime hours. Florida pompano are a migratory schooling fish that makes their way along Gulf Shores beaches in greatest concentrations during the spring, but they’ll pass back through in the fall, albeit in smaller concentrations. Although they don’t fight as hard as bull reds, these “big uglies” are still very fun to catch.Smaller black drum have vertical bars, as shown above, similar to a sheepshead. Fishing 50-70 miles of the Alabama & Florida Gulf Coast Blacktip sharks reach a length of 8 feet and weigh around 50 lbs. To do so, you could either fish at night, or you could head to a more secluded area where there are no beach goers around. Gulf Shores Fishing Gulf Shores Fishing Prediction Optimal fishing activity will be between 7 - 11 AM on Sunday. You’ll need a selection of pyramid sinkers from 2 to 6 oz. So, head over to J&M Tackle in Orange Beach to get some, and get after them. One of the premier inshore fish species on the Alabama Gulf Coast is the speckled (or spotted) trout. Unless they are searching for shark bait, most anglers don’t actually intend to hook a stingray. I personally like them just fine. I find the key to consistent success is to stick with fresh bait, not frozen. Even Wal-marts near the beach will usually have rakes in stock. Be aware that larger ladies can cut through thin monofilament lines, so you might need to increase your leader strength if you keep getting bit off. If necessary, cast further and further out until you locate where they are holding. Instead, they lie in wait in order to ambush their prey as it passes by. Light line is good but you need a bit of a heavy leader as speckled trout will cut through light mono. How to Go Fishing in Gulf Shores Peeling your bite sized pieces of shrimp before putting them on the hook makes an even better bait for whiting. Speckled trout, or spotted seatrout, are another inshore species that you can actually catch in the surf as well. The true way to differentiate between the two is the lateral line. The differentiating characteristics are the barbels located under a black drum’s chin, and the lack of human like teeth found on sheepshead. Typical years we are targeting sheepshead, redfish, speckled trout and black drum during the spring months. March 4, 2020 Although speckled trout are most often targeted by anglers during the warmer months, specks can be caught year-round if you head for the right spots under the right conditions and are patient. That will allow you to downsize your sinker weight and still get good bottom holding capacity. A 15 pounder is a stud, but those are infrequent in Alabama. The spots of a Spanish mackerel are a more brightly colored yellow, and are more round in shape. Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Sailfish, and Blue and White Marlin call the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico home, meaning that a Gulf Shores deep sea fishing adventure will provide you with a memorable angling experience. With a little preparation and knowledge, you’ll most certainly be successful at targeting the fish listed above. Whiting have a sort of triangular shaped body, and are generally not difficult to identify. They are found around shallow water artificial reefs all the way out to deep bottom structures such as oil rigs and pipelines. Although they are typically thought of as an inshore species, they can be caught in the surf as well. How To Go Surf Fishing On A Family Beach Vacation, Catch Sharks By Casting Baits From The Beach, article here on how to unhook a stingray without getting stung, Top 9 Criteria to Evaluate When Choosing a Surf Rod, Most any cut fish you can find in the surf, Any fast moving small fish imitating lure. That’s for good reason, as they are one of the best tasting fish in the sea, and they fight extremely hard for their size. For more details on how to get started, here’s a few other articles from my site that will guide you in the right direction. They are the best lure option for pomps. Desirable fish seem to like Fishbites more than the undesirables do. We don’t typically get large bluefish along the Northern Gulf Coast, but the ones we do get are sure fun to catch. Speckled trout are a great eating fish, and you are allowed to keep 6 of them in Alabama. The meat is darker with a richer taste, and might taste different than what you’re used to. That is about the only fish they could be confused with. Some species of fish around Mobile Bay like speckled trout and redfish are always available. I find that 2 hook pompano rigs will catch whiting just fine. It is readily available for around $15.00 at Walmart and all the tackle stores. It’s inevitable that you’ll eventually catch a stingray when fishing from the beach with natural baits. Jewels of the Blue Waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Another option are banana jigs, also known as pompano jigs, also known as Goofy jigs. Speckled Trout. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on yelp (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). Gag Grouper (typical 5-20 lbs.) Fort Morgan is a well known area for large bull red fishing. The school could be ladyfish, bluefish, Spanish, or some mixture of a couple different species. ... With this blue water in so close, we see an increase in the number of Blackfin Tuna that move in right off the gulf shores of Orange Beach. Check prices of cod and salmon. Alabama allows you to keep up to 15 of any size Spanish you like, so this is a good fish to target for a nice family meal back at the condo. Explore best places to eat fish in Gulf Shores and nearby. Much like reds, fall is also a great time to encounter specks in the surf. Don’t be scared to toss a rod out very close to the beach, as in low light situations they’ll sometimes be running very close to the beach.Alabama has a 3 per person limit on pompano, with a 12″ total length restriction. They move close to shore to feed on schools of mullet and menhaden. Fishing 70-100+ miles of the Gulf of Mexico Coast in search of Big Game Fish Species. Black drum are a good tasting fish when young, but the huge black drums should be released as they have worms and tough meat. Good take-along book when you go fishing. You could also attempt to relocate to a section of beach with clearer water, or go on a day when there is clearer water to be found. It just depends on how strong the current is when and where you are fishing. The shape of a stingray actually creates quite a bit of resistance in the water. I had the Gulf Island Catch. We fish several different locations including Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, Point Clear, Mobile, Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Bon Secour, and Orange Beach. Although you can see this fascinating wildlife all across the region on beaches, in bayous and on canals, one great place to spot birds is Gulf State Park. While that’s not 100%, it does help. With such a heavy payload, it’s best to have a pretty stout rod capable of casting that much weight. However, there is a whole host of other interesting species you can also catch in the surf, such as redfish, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and sharks, among others. Like redfish, black drum are another species that give you a chance to catch a giant from Gulf Shores beaches. (within sight of land) Bonita (Little Tunny), Cobia, King Mackerel, Redfish (Red … This boat is powered by a 225 HP Mercury engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 36 knots. Since Louisiana is roughly a hundred miles south of Biloxi, Hebert leads overnight trips 80 miles east into the Gulf to catch tuna, wahoo, chicken dolphin, and other species of blue-water fish. I target bluefish the same way I do Spanish, with fast moving artificials when a school gets near. Pompano and whiting are the two primary species you’ll successfully target from Alabama beaches. What redfish really offer to beach anglers is a realistic chance to catch a giant fish. These whiting are actually 3 different species – Southern, Northern and Gulf kingfish. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. One of the best is the small pier reaching a hundred yards into the water. May marks the time of year when the pelagic species of fish (those that inhabit the water column rather than the ocean bottom or near shore) begin migrating back to the Florida and Alabama Gulf coasts – just as the Spring Breakers are leaving and/or gone. The best bait for flounder is live bull minnows, but lures and various other baits will work as well. Your Charter Captain or Fishing Guide will know best time for your Gulf Shores fishing trip. The table includes the status of the stock and most recent assessments from the Southeast Data and Assessment Review or the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Managment Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee . Below is anther short list of additional fish that you may catch on the Alabama coast. All the beaches closer to passes are going to be more productive.The slot for redfish in Alabama is 16-26″, and you can keep 3 in that size range. You won’t need any special tackle of any sort to catch whiting. As long as you use small hooks with small fresh baits, you should have no problem getting into some whiting action. "I love this tour company and have returned to them three times despite living over 1,000 miles away :) My guide for the Gulf Shores kayak trip, Chris, was extremely knowledgeable and worked the most interesting wi..." "Very friendly tour guides, very informative about the local wildlife." The key is to move your lure very fast. The Gulf of Mexico is a rich habitat of sea grasses, reefs, coastal wetlands and marine organisms that sustains over 200 varieties of salt water fish. Grey Triggerfish - 100% Catch Rate; Recommedations above based on 9 local reports and 1 species of fish for January in Gulf Shores. Start out fishing in the first trough off the beach, as that’s where you’ll often find plenty of them hanging out. You should always take a backup bait to the beach, so that you aren’t entirely reliant upon finding sand crabs. While they may be commonly classified as a trash fish, ladyfish are actually quite fun to catch. Wahoo, Bull Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi, Dorado), Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Swordfish, Blue Marlin. Gulf Shores Seafood, Gulf Shores: See 301 unbiased reviews of Gulf Shores Seafood, rated 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #2 of 130 restaurants in Gulf Shores. Many local and out of town guests are eager to locate the right Gulf Shores inshore fishing charter to target some of Mobile Bay’s best inshore and nearshore species. They are a fast swimming pelagic fish that are great fun on light tackle. Redfish are one of the most popular saltwater fish pursued in the entire Gulf Coast region. These are the species federally managed by the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. You can expect a keeper flounder to weight from 1 to 3 lbs, and they must be at least 14″ total length in Alabama. Since this is rather ambiguous, you’ll need to use your own judgement of what that means. There is no size restriction on bluefish in the state of Alabama. Triggerfish (typical 2-3 lbs.) When bull reds are running in the surf, you have a legitimate chance to catch a 40 to 50 inch fish. Black drum prefer all types of crustaceans, shrimp and cut baits, especially mullet. Spanish mackerel from 1 to 3 lbs are common to the Gulf Shores area. I like targeting passing schools with flashy, quick moving lures, such as spoons and Gotcha plugs. Just like pomps, whiting like small crabs, such as sand fleas, and bits of fresh shrimp. These are but just a few of the species you’ll encounter when fishing the pristine beaches of Gulf Shores and the surrounding area. Speckled trout, or spotted seatrout, are another inshore species that … For pompano, I like a 1/0 circle hook, but I might would go down to a #1 or smaller hook when specifically targeting whiting. Alabama Inshore Fishing near Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, Dauphin Island and Weeks Bay is year round fishing fun. I would consider possibly downsizing the hooks a bit, if you find that pompano don’t seem to be around anyway. Their favorite food is the sand flea, aka mole crab, but they’ll also feast on shrimp, small fish, and other small crabs. Focus your efforts for flounder in the fall when they will leave inshore waters to spawn offshore. Flounder make for excellent table fare, so you may want to keep any that are large enough. You can also catch redfish on lures, including gold spoons, plastic grubs and topwaters, among others. The Alabama Gulf Coast attracts fishermen from all over the country with its great variety of fish, whether you’re casting off the beach or charting an offshore trip. Gulf of Mexico Blue Water Species. Black drum have smaller mouths than their redfish cousins, so you will need to use smaller baits than you might use to catch big bull reds. Those are the two baits I use, in addition to pieces of Fishbites. They can be caught year round, but spring and fall are the best times. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Gulf is the ninth-largest body of water in the world. This one was caught the other day and weighed close to 80 pounds. Therefore, you will sometimes catch them on your pompano rigs or other rigs as a by-catch. Here’s a list of what fish or seafood you … Spinner sharks have nearly a world-wide distribution and are found in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Pompano are primarily bottom feeders, seeking out crustaceans in the sand. 1 Inshore Species. Pursuant to section 120.74, Florida Statutes, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has published its 2019 Agency Regulatory Plan.2019 Agency Regulatory Plan. These three species of … A variety of saltwater game fish can be caught from the surf in Gulf Shores. Alabama offers a variety of types of charter fishing trips. Bonita (Little Tunny), Cobia, King Mackerel, Redfish (Red Drum), and Spanish Mackerel, Alabama Near Shore Gulf of Mexico fishing, Fishing within sight of the Alabama & Florida Gulf Coast chumming for the big bite. Gulf of Mexico Fish Species With so many fish species available throughout the year, it’s really no wonder that many passionate fishermen choose the Gulf of Mexico as their angling destination. Cobia (typical 15-45 lbs.) These hard fighting leapers are often a welcome recourse when the fishing is slow.Ladyfish, or “skipjack”, also make great cut bait for several of the other species listed here, such as redfish and sharks.