Orange Beach, AL USA

Fort Morgan Fishing:

I do not consider myself an authority on fishing at Fort Morgan, although I have caught both specks and reds down there without a boat.  Used to be, we could fish at night off the point at Fort Morgan, and I have caught bull redfish in the surf in every month of the year.  Dixey Bar is a great place to fish, not just for redfish, but for trout, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, etc., etc.  I caught one of the biggest specks I've ever caught, about a six pounder, accidentally while fishing a live finger mullet for redfish.  And I've caught some other good ones just piddling around off the point.  However, I have seen some guys who obviously knew what they were doing absolutely wear out the specks by wading the surf and casting MirroLures on a greasy slick calm day at the break of dawn.  Their method was simple...they just started by wading in at the end of the parking lot in the Fort by the big rusty anchor and casting around the pilings of the old ferry dock.  They then just continued on down the beach, fan-casting the surf until they found the trout.  I caught the six-pounder on the Bar itself out on the Gulf side.  If you've got the kayak, you can paddle the bay and fish the Shell Bank reef (it's on a Top Spot chart, along with some other artificial inshore reefs in Mobile Bay)...just be careful because the bay can be a rough body of water when the wind gets to whipping.  Also, if you wade fish, do so with the caveat that a pretty good population of sharks resides around Dixey Bar on both the Bay and the Gulf side.  I've had to quit bull red fishing on multiple occasions because the sharks took every stitch of line off my big spinning reels...can't fish without fishing line!  If you want to tussle with a big fish that will drag you around in your kayak, just go about 300 yards off the ferry dock and fish a dead pogy on the bottom.  There are enough jack crevalle, big ones, in the bay, to sink the U.S.S. Alabama...you might even hook a tarpon there in Navy Cove.  Try the crab trap buoys for blackfish, although it might be a little early for them.  A jumbo live shrimp under a cork is the ticket for the tripletail.  I wish I knew more about the tidal effects of the Bay on certain species, but suffice it to say that I catch more bull reds on an outgoing tide there.  If you need more information about fishing the Fort area, shoot me an email...I'll help you pick some good artificials or rig up for anything you want to target...info@samstackle.com, or call us at (251) 981-4245.  Good luck!

Thursday, May 15, 2008 @ 1:22:57 PM

Stone Mountain, GA USA

I've done a little bit of saltwater fishing, specks and
reds, and I will be in Fort Morgan for about a week in  
late June no boat:( , anyone have nay recomendations
for surf fishin, live bait, or just shrimp of artificials
on a cajun thunder. All suggestions will be helpful-
Thanks

Thursday, May 15, 2008 @ 12:12:45 PM

Monroeville, AL USA

I am going to be staying at The Rookery near Fort Morgan in June.  I have a fishing kayak, and was looking for some ideas on fishing in the bay.  Looking at the area on Google Earth, it looks like there may be some good areas to try.  I would love to cast for reds and specks.  Any input?

Thursday, May 15, 2008 @ 10:29:18 AM

Mobile, AL United States

In response to jh

Hopefully there will be some 'refinement' in the wording of this new regulation.

Read for yourself @ http://www.outdooralabama.com/news/release.cfm?ID=598

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 @ 10:03:53 PM

Dauphin Is, AL USA

Kevin

I did a serch on this site for Alabama Alps and this is what I found.

ALABAMA ALPS 29.15.108 & 88.20.238. The rocks run east and west. All you have to do is get on a rock and go east or west looking at your bottom machine. YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD MACHINE!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 9:33:49 PM

FORT MORGAN / GULF SHORES, AL USA

In reply to Kevin,

  There is no huge secret to fishing natural bottom except you must have a good bottom machine. Natural bottom starts in apx 175' of water to apx 275'. A good bottom machine will show you fish an ok one will show you highs and lows. There are fish all out there and trust me when you get out there, you will find your own sectet #'s. Try 16 to 20 oz wts. to make sure that you can feel bottom. You can start by going 180 to 185 deg. out of Ft. Morgan until you get to your water depth and start fishing east, watch your bottom machine for anything different, start fishing.

Till next time,
Capt. Al
Pleasure Island Charters
252-550-5588
601-989-2999

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 2:53:39 PM

Mobile, AL USA

Can someone post the GPS #'s of the natural bottom (Alabama Alps)?  I am a fairly new recreational captain, and I plan to head out there this summer.  I was told once you get there, to look for major drop-offs on your sonar.  Are these drop-offs where the bigger fish are?  I know you charter boat guys have your secret numbers, but I wanted to get some good numbers for the natural bottom - I know the rocks run East to West or vice versa...

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 2:26:40 PM

FORT MORGAN / GULF SHORES, AL USA

Last try for picture

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 2:06:51 PM

FORT MORGAN / GULF SHORES, AL USA

Maye the picture will come through this time.

Captain Al,

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 11:58:10 AM

FORT MORGAN / GULF SHORES, AL USA

  I finally found our picture of our last rock / nat. Bottom trip that i wanted to share. It was a pleasure trip not a charter but this could be your group. We were aboard the loose screws boat that my friend owns. However, captain garry bryant with red eye charters (251-540-6982) or myself could book your trip and make this a reality.
   We had 2 gags @ 26#'s, 1 @ 23#'s, a 23# scamp, 2 beeliner @ 4.5#'S each and many others.
   The fish are really biting so don't miss out on the action. Call us to get trip you deserve.

Captain al,
alex brewer
pleasure island charters
251-550-5588
601-989-2999

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 10:55:17 AM

FORT MORGAN / GULF SHORES, AL USA

  I finally found our picture of our last rock / nat. Bottom trip that i wanted to share. It was a pleasure trip not a charter but this could be your group. We were aboard the loose screws boat that my friend owns. However, captain garry bryant with red eye charters (251-540-6982) or myself could book your trip and make this a reality.
   We had 2 gags @ 26#'s, 1 @ 23#'s, a 23# scamp, 2 beeliner @ 4.5#'S each and many others.
   The fish are really biting so don't miss out on the action. Call us to get trip you deserve.

Captain al,
alex brewer
pleasure island charters
251-550-5588
601-989-2999

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 10:46:10 AM

Latimer, MS USA

Does anyone have any info on a rumor i heard about the State of Alabama putting forth a knee jerk reaction banning all fishing with any tyoe of bait or chum within 300 yards of the beach or off any pier?? Also was told that you cannot fish with anything that can be harmful to anyone who may be swimming which would include hook so basically banning fishing all together from the beach or pier.....I do not fish in Alabama so it really is not going to be affecting me just found this to be a very curious and disturbing rumor and would like to know more but have not been able to find much info on it.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 10:32:35 AM

FORT MORGAN / GULF SHORES, AL USA

  I finally found our picture of our last rock / nat. Bottom trip that i wanted to share. It was a pleasure trip not a charter but this could be your group. We were aboard the loose screws boat that my friend owns. However, captain garry bryant with red eye charters (251-540-6982) or myself could book your trip and make this a reality.
   We had 2 gags @ 26#'s, 1 @ 23#'s, a 23# scamp, 2 beeliner @ 4.5#'S each and many others.
   The fish are really biting so don't miss out on the action. Call us to get trip you deserve.

Captain al,
alex brewer
pleasure island charters
251-550-5588
601-989-2999

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 @ 10:26:42 AM

Orange Beach, AL United States

In response to Bert

Shark fishing is relatively simple, and you don't have to go far out to catch them.  I may not win any points with the OB Convention and Visitor's Bureau when I say this, but last September I caught not one, but two, five-foot bull sharks off the beach near the Romar area east of Highway 161, in one day.  Our most common sharks are bulls and blacktips, with the occasional giant mako thrown in for good measure.  To target sharks, you'll need to anchor off the beach, anywhere from about 1/4 mile to a mile off, doesn't really matter...sharks are roamers and will find you if you take the steps to draw them in.  That means chumming.  The best method I know of is to buy a chum churn and load it with pogies, sardines, or any other oily fish.  The trick to chumming is to keep your slick continuous and be patient.  It doesn't work really well if you don't keep the line going, or you establish a line and then move.  Sharks have little pores in their faces called the Ampullae of Lorenzini, which, if I am not mistaken, aid them in locating prey great distances away through vibration and smell.  If you keep your chumming consistent, they will come to you in a matter of time.  Best baits? Sharks are scavengers and will eat anything, really.  Cut bonita is great, as is mullet, mackerel, jack crevalle, anything bloody and oily.  But live bait works well, too.  If you can get a big hardtail and fish it under a balloon, you should get a bite eventually.  Of course, in your rigging, you will need a wire or cable leader with an appropriate sized hook.  I like to make my leaders as long as the length of shark I anticipate catching so I do not get tail-whipped.  Furthermore, sharks swim at all levels of the water column, from the bottom to the surface, so you may want to fish a rig or two on bottom, one suspended from the balloon on the top, and one drifting with no weight or balloon in your chum slick.  Unfortunately, other species may visit you as you chum...this spring we had some pesky old cobia swim up to the boat while employing this technique, and you may have to deal with other predators such as king mackerel, jack crevalle, and the occasional tarpon, too.  But that might not be all bad...anyway, if you need help refining your rigging or if you just need help picking out the right baits and anything else, visit us here at Sam's in Orange Beach, one mile east of Doc's Seafood on Highway 161, or call us at (251) 981-4245.  Good luck.

Monday, May 12, 2008 @ 12:42:09 PM

memphis, TN USA

Need Advice.

My kids really want to catch some sharks. I have a 26cc and fish out of OB. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Monday, May 12, 2008 @ 10:04:22 AM

FORT MORGAN, AL USA

The fish were really working us hard this weekend. I had a group down from Illinois for an 8 hour trip. The seas were not the best but the fish were cooperative. They caught fish almost every drop but most were snapper. They had a couple of decent snapper for pictures 8 and 10 pounds apx. We brought back 13 beeliner ,triggers and one white snapper. They also broke off 3 unknowns and landed 2 short gags 21".
 Snapper season statrs June 1 for those of you you that may not know and the fishing is great.Give us a call if you would like to book your trip.

Captain Al
Alex Brewer
Pleasure Island Charters
251-550-5588
601-989-2999

 HIS BEST CATCH EVERMAMA,S CATCH

Monday, May 12, 2008 @ 8:31:05 AM

Ft. Morgan, AL USA

I got to fish a couple of days this week. On Wednesday I had two guys out for 8 hours. We caught fish on just about every drop. To bad most of then where snapper. We managed some triggers, beeliners, and one white snapper.
On Friday we went out on a 12 hour and got out where snapper were not a problem. The porgies were very cooperative. We also got a few big beeliners, scamp, a decent gag and a red grouper. The most productive rig was the electric reel with a 3 hook rig. As soon as you hit bottom but it in gear and bring it back up. We left this rod in the holder and good ol Rodney Rodholder was the hottest angler on the boat that day. If there are any Daiwa reps. out there I would love to get some your electric reels on my boat. I am pretty good at finding a reels weak points. I would even test them for free. We ended the day with nice mess of fish but no monsters. I went southeast to the natural bottom on this trip. I was suprised not to find any
AJ's on the Marathon Jacket,Swindle, or the big rocks. I guess I will go to the rigs next round to have better shot at some AJ's.

Friday's trip turned into a non-profit affair when I hit a log on the way in. I was punching in a run over and then ran over a log. It didn't sound bad but bent the wheels bad enough we had to 8 knot it in. I'll be at the boat yard on Monday and should be back in action on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Give us to call if your ready to catch some fish.

Till next time,

Capt. Gary Bryant
Red Eye Charters
(251) 540-6982

Sunday, May 11, 2008 @ 8:24:17 PM

Orange Beach, AL USA

Lately, Mark Russo, who works with me at Sam's, and I have been doing a little surf fishing before work on Thursday mornings.  Our target has been pompano, of which we have been catching a few, but we've been catching some other species also.  We don't get real serious about our surf fishing endeavors--it's just a way to get out and enjoy the beach and a little scenery, and if we catch something, fine and good.  We just bait up with some peeled dead shrimp, cast out as far as we can, and set the rod in the rod holder.  When the pompano are biting, we do retrieve our bait ever so slowly, as they seem to like the shrimp moving across the bottom.  I have not seen any sand fleas to speak of.  Maybe we are just in the wrong area.  Also, we have experimented with the Gulp! sandfleas on our last trip, the orange ones.  Didn't get a bite on it, but we have confidence that we will eventually.  Besides pompano, we've been catching some whiting, bluefish, and of course, the lowly hardhead catfish.  All in all, though, we have a blast just killin' time surf fishing and lately we have been eating well because of it.  Check out the accompanying photo of Mark with a real pretty pompano he captured about a week ago.  Good luck, ya'll...Sam's, Orange Beach, (251) 981-4245.

 Pretty One

Saturday, May 10, 2008 @ 8:16:54 PM

Orange Beach, AL United States

In response to Craig Sparrow

Yes, the Spanish have been in the area since about the beginning of April. We have been catching them by trolling along the beach with chartreuse drone spoons (I think it is size 0) behind #1 planers. Small Clark spoons behind planers work well, too. A #1 pink Drone on a planer will catch you a little bigger Spanish and possibly a king a little farther out. The speckled trout have been fairly abundant, too, according to some of our customers. I haven't been speck fishing yet this spring, but reports are that they are in their traditional spring haunts: ICW near the bridges, deeper boat docks and piers, grass flats in Old River, and the Perdido Pass bridge. The flounder and slot redfish have made a good showing, too, in the same areas. You can use live shrimp and minnows if you want, but our customers are reporting great success on Gulp! artificials, especially the swimming mullet, pogie, and shrimp rigged in various ways. The flounder have been liking the swimming mullet on a 1/4 ounce red jighead. If you are dead set on specks, also try the reefs in Mobile Bay. If it is calm, try MirroLure topwaters in the morning and then switch to soft plastics when the wind kicks up later on. Good luck, and if you need further assistance stop by and see us at Sam's on the Canal Road in Orange Beach one mile east of Doc's Seafood, or call us at (251) 981-4245.

Saturday, May 10, 2008 @ 6:38:47 PM

Montgomery, AL USA

    I am comming to the Orange Beach area for two weeks starting tommorrow.  I have a 16 foot carolina skiff center console.  Are the spanish bitting good yet, how about the specks anybody have an idea of what I should have the best luck catching.  Thanks for your help.re

Saturday, May 10, 2008 @ 6:04:58 PM

Gulf Breeze, FL USA

If anyone is interested in chicken coop reefs please email me. I have several for sale out of orange beach $450 per spot private or $250 per spot if you share spot with me thanks!
epettitt@mchsi.com

Friday, May 9, 2008 @ 5:56:29 PM

Orange Beach, AL United States

In response to Brian

If you have less than six people, then you don't need a multi-passenger vessel. Captain Gary Bryant runs the "Redeye", a 36' Topaz, and he is a very reputable operator. Gary can put you on some fish...perhaps a good strategy would be to hunt cobia along the beach from the tower of his boat while trolling some spoons on planers for Spanish mackerel and kings. This helps keep a little action going while waiting for a cobia to come along. But give him a call at (251) 540-6982, or check out his web site www.redeyecharters.com, and ask about a trip...Gary does good on the sheepshead at the close rigs...as good to eat as snapper and they fight well, too, on light tackle. Even though you don't have a tower on your 21-footer, you can still catch fish while you are here. Snapper season is open in Florida...just be careful about the licenses you possess and the route you take to and from Florida waters. You cannot possess red snapper in federal waters period right now. A good way to fish the beach from a small boat is to chum with pogies and squid; cobia, Spanish, kings, and shark will all find their way to the boat if you keep the chum line consistent. If you need help with rigging or other suggestions, give me a call at Sam's, (251) 981-4245 or email me via the link at the bottom of this report. Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

Friday, May 9, 2008 @ 10:26:01 AM

Orange Beach, AL USA

Several boats caught some great cobia yesterday. I heard of one 88 pounder.  The wind blew from the south west today and was rough. The migration is still going on pretty good. Saturday may be a good day for cobia fish. We are going offshore on Saturday. Will give a report when I return Saturday night.
Tight Lines,
Max

Thursday, May 8, 2008 @ 6:08:26 PM

Orange Beach, AL USA

It depends on the tide...outgoing tide the water gets pretty murky whereas it clears up alot on an incoming tide.

Thursday, May 8, 2008 @ 3:48:09 PM

Long Beach, MS USA

I'm coming to perdido this weekend to do some kayaking around robinson island. How is the water clarity there?

Thursday, May 8, 2008 @ 2:57:22 PM

Mobile, AL USA

I read a good article in Great Days Outdoors this week regarding cobia fishing.  You might want to give Captain Ben Fairey a call @ 251-747-5782.  His website - www.necessitysportsfishing.com.  

I've never fished w/him but per the article it seems like he knows what he's doing.

Thursday, May 8, 2008 @ 8:19:09 AM

Daphne, AL USA

Some friends and I are going to be staying down on Ono Island next week and were hoping to do some Cobia Fishing. My buddy will have his 21' with us but has no cobia tower. I was hoping you all could recommend a good source for a charter boat that could take us out for a small trip during the week.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 @ 11:32:19 AM

Mobile, AL USA

NOW is the time to contact your AL state Representative to urge them to support SB385, the bill that would end gill netting.

From another forum...
[quote="Mrs. M"]Looks like the House of Reps did not adjourn last night until 8:45 pm and that the Gillnet Ban was read for the Second Time and received favorably.  That means that it has to be read for the Third Time and then voted on (hopefully).  The House reconvenes on Thursday at 10 am, and the bill appears on page 15 of that calendar.  Not sure that they necessarily go in that order though.  They appeared to be skipping around yesterday.
[/quote]

You can find out who is your AL state representative (and CALL them or other Reps to urge their support of this bill) @
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/misc/zipsearch.html

[District 66] Baldwin, Escambia - Rep. Alan Baker
115 Alexander Drive Brewton, AL 36426
alan.baker@mchsi.com
Hm: 251-867-6514 Wk: 251-867-0195 State House: 334-242-7600

[District 94] Baldwin - Rep. Joe Faust
20452 Beecher Street Fairhope, AL 36532
jfaust@co.baldwin.al.us
Hm: 251-928-5445 Wk: 251-990-4615 State House: 334-242-7699

[District 95] Baldwin - Rep. Steve McMillan
P. O. Box 337 Bay Minette, AL 36507
bcclegislators@co.baldwin.al.us
Hm: 251-948-5575 Wk: 251-943-5061 State House: 334-242-7723

[District 96] Baldwin, Mobile - Rep. Randy Davis
6590 Thompson Lane Daphne, AL 36526
rmdavis14@aol.com
Hm: 251-621-0814 Wk: 251-442-2552 State House: 334-242-7724

[District 97] Mobile - Rep. Yvonne Kennedy
1205 Glennon Avenue Mobile, AL 36603
yvonne.kennedy@alhouse.org
Hm: 251-438-9509 Wk: 251-690-6416 State House: 334-242-7737

[District 98] Mobile - Rep. James O. Gordon
7818 Lukoli Lane Saraland, AL 36571
james@amesogordon.com
Hm: 251-679-9744 Wk: 251-476-7246 State House: 334-242-7600

[District 99] Mobile - Rep. James Buskey
2207 Barretts Lane Mobile, AL 36617
james.buskey@alhouse.org
Hm: 251-457-7928 Wk: 251-208-5480 State House: 334-242-7757

[District 100] Mobile - Rep. Victor Gaston
1136 Hillcrest Crossing W Mobile, AL 36695
victor.gaston@alhouse.org
Hm: 251-639-2555 State House: 334-242-7675

[District 101] Mobile Rep. Jamie Ison
57 Byrnes Blvd. Mobile, AL 36608
isonfor101@comcast.net
Hm: 251-454-2327 Wk: 251-342-6697 State House: 334-242-7711

[District 102] Mobile - Rep. Chad Fincher
10010 Blakewood Drive North Semmes, AL 36575
chadfincher@bellsouth.net
Hm: 251-649-5153 Wk: 251-649-2722 State House: 334-242-7600

[District 103] Mobile - Rep. Joseph Mitchell
465 Dexter Avenue Mobile, AL 36604
joseph.mitchell@alhouse.org
Hm: 251-473-5020 Wk: 251-473-5020 State House: 334-242-7735

[District 104] Mobile - Rep. Jim Barton
3824 St. Andrews Drive Mobile, AL 36693
jbarton@msg-inc.com
Wk: 251-208-5480 State House: 334-242-7754

[District 105] Mobile - Rep. Spencer Collier
P. O. Box 550 Irvington, AL 36544
scollier@alabamasafetyinstitute.com
Wk: 251-208-5480 State House: 334-242-7719

http://www.haveparrotwilltravel.com/gallery2/albums/userpics/house_dist-cut.jpg

It was reported that some of the Reps in the northern part of the state were not aware of the importance of this legislation for ALL Alabamians.
Please contact them too!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 @ 8:50:02 AM

Mobile, AL USA

In response to Grouper Man - I heard alot of talk on the VHF this past weekend among other charter captains in the area about the subject of  your report. Although there are as many Red Snappers in the gulf now as there probably has ever been, that does not give anyone the right to do what that captain did. Louisiana officials are probably going to make an example of his criminal actions. We have seen the Coast Guard every Weekend for the last three weeks and have been boarded once with a through check of the fish box. When asked if we caught any Red Snappers, we smiled and said yes, caught and released them all day long. Sounds like one less charter boat for the Louisiana guys to compete with.

Monday, May 5, 2008 @ 8:38:55 PM

Dauphin Island, AL USA

I recently purchased a 17 ft Carolina skiff and I want to set it up to go floundering. Does anyone on here have a Carolina skiff rigged up for floundering. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should rig mine up. I have a couple of ideas but I want to see if anybody has any better ones. I will be powering the lights with a 1500 watt generator. Any feedback will help. Thanks in advance

Monday, May 5, 2008 @ 3:11:24 PM

mobile, AL USA

L.D.W.F. AGENTS CATCH FISHERMEN WITH 909 RED SNAPPER

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents wrote over 100 fishing citations to 20 men on Bayou Fourchon located in Lafourche Parish on Monday, April 28.

Agents stopped the charter boat, "The Captain Charlie", which was occupied by 18 paid fishermen, the captain and one deck hand. Agents boarded the vessel to conduct a creel and license check of the fish and persons aboard. Upon receiving consent from the captain of the vessel, agents allegedly found 27 ice chests holding 909 red snapper.

Agents counted and measured every fish aboard the vessel and found that of the 909 red snapper aboard the vessel, 287 of them were under the minimum 16-inch size requirement.

The recreational limit for red snapper is two per fisherman, and the captain and deckhands are not allowed to possess a limit. Agents also discovered that none of the 18 fishermen were Louisiana residents nor did they possess valid Louisiana non-resident basic and saltwater fishing licenses.

The 18 subjects that chartered the vessel, along with the captain and deckhand of the vessel were cited for 106 alleged violations. The citations included angling without a non-resident basic and saltwater fishing license, federal charges for possessing undersized and over the limit of red snapper, and taking red snapper during a closed season. The red snapper season is closed until June 1, 2008.

The following fishermen were charged:

David Harrelson, 52, Lockport, La., (Captain)
Donald R. Humphrey, 45, Golden Meadow, La., (Deckhand)
Artesza Portee, 35, Autell, Ga.
Glover Jefferson Jr., 69, Atlanta, Ga.
Walter Bailey Jr., 61, Atlanta, Ga.
Robert Kemp, 72, Atlanta, Ga.
James E. Williams, 65, Callaway, Fla.
Clyde E. Raiford, 68, Fayetteville, Ga.
Baxter R. Maddox, 67, Atlanta, Ga.
Leslie H. Durham, 45, Douglasville, Ga.
Cleveland B. Kemp Jr., 56, Conyers, Ga.
Harry Crosland, 67, Decatur, Ga.
Willie T. Epps, 72, College Park, Ga.
Lawrence Kendrick, 60, Atlanta, Ga.
Walter L. Gibson Jr., 38, Union City, Ga.
Warren R. Brownlee, 36, Palmetto, Ga.
Andrew R. Smith, 70, Decatur, Ga.
Kym D. Haywood, 44, Hapeville, Ga.
Charlie W. Patrick 68, Stone Mountain, Ga.
Earnest Sessoms, 79, Atlanta, Ga.

Agents seized the 909 red snapper, which weighed 2459 pounds, and were sold for a total of $9221.25.

Monday, May 5, 2008 @ 8:56:05 AM

mobile, AL USA

I took my 2 year old daughter today to catch her first fish.  She did great! pinfish, sea robin, croakers and 1 flounder.
It was great!

Saturday, May 3, 2008 @ 8:52:27 PM

Livingston, AL USA

Has anyone caught any kings or heard of any being caught.  

Friday, May 2, 2008 @ 2:28:34 PM

Helena, AL USA

The bill passed the Senate; Update from AL.com this morning:
The gill net bill, sponsored by state Sen. Pat Lindsey, D-Butler, would ban the use of commercial gill nets in Alabama sea waters.

Senators appeared ready to kill the measure Wednesday night because of objections to the inclusion of mandatory buyouts for gill netters. But after negotiations, the bill was revived on Thursday with mandatory buyouts still in it.

Fishermen who use the nets would be given the option of taking a one-time, 125 percent payout based on their best catch in the years 2004, 2005 or 2006, or five payments each equal to 35 percent of their best catch in one of those years.

The bill is strongly supported by conservation groups, who say the nets are depleting fish stocks off the Alabama coastline and killing other creatures.

State Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, who supported the bill, said an "attempted compromise" that would have made the buyouts voluntary and attached a five-year study to the bill "didn't work out."

Gill net fishermen and seafood industry representatives were in the State House on Thursday. "The bill is unacceptable to us," said Pete Barber, president of the Alabama Seafood Association. "Last year this was all worked out."

State Rep. Jamie Ison, R-Mobile, is sponsoring a House version that has not yet been voted on in the lower chamber. An attempt to amend the bill in a House committee last month was defeated by committee members. Scientists who wrote to the committee said the link between commercial gill netting and declining fish stocks had already been proven.

Friday, May 2, 2008 @ 9:44:47 AM

Mobile, AL USA

To Solace-

Start here on this site, it will take some digging to find what you are lookin for but they (all rig locations) are posted on here. Click the GPS tab at the top of the page or start here http://www.al.rodngun.com/gps/GpsSearchResults.asp

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 @ 11:18:06 PM

Montgomery, AL USA

Is there a published list of GPS coordinates for the rigs within 50 miles of Perdido Pass. I know of at least one about 30 miles SW, but the exact coordinates and/or names would be useful for trip planning. Thanks, RHB

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 @ 6:46:18 PM

Orange Beach, AL United States

In response to ThomasJ

Thomas,

The "triple rig" is indeed a great rig to fish, as are some of the adjacent ones in that area.  I was there last weekend and caught some of the highly endangered, nearly extinct red snapper there--NICE ONES!  Also saw a couple of kings skying on bait in that area.  If it were me, I would focus on the kings and keep a rod rigged and ready for an ol' ling that might pop up at any minute.

Here at Sam's in Orange Beach, we sell all kinds of frozen bait--cigar minnows, pogies, squid, ballyhoo, etc.  We also have a great selection of king lures such as drone spoons, Magnum Rapalas, and Mann's Stretch 25's.

Lastly, if you need a good charter boat, I would definitely recommend Captain Gary Bryant on the Redeye if you need a boat for six fisherpeople or fewer.  Gary is as nice as they come, and is a great fisherman.  Just be sure to book at least an 8 hour to give him time to get out to where the big ones live!

If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to give us a call here at Sam's (251) 981-4245.  Good luck!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 @ 9:32:15 AM