| Everyone who has been deep sea fishing in | | | | The typical offshore species caught on daytime |
| Alabama knows about the Gulf Red Snapper. | | | | reef fishing trips are the Red Snapper, Mangrove |
| Orange Beach has long been known as the "Red | | | | Snapper, Red Porgy, Vermilion Snapper, |
| Snapper Capital" of the world. For over 25 years, | | | | Triggerfish, Ruby Lips, Shark, Cobia, Bonita, King |
| they have been the staple of charter boats and | | | | Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bull Redfish, Wahoo, |
| recreational fishermen. The problem is, the | | | | Jack Crevalle, Amberjack, Almaco Jacks, |
| proposed Red Snapper season for 2009 has not | | | | Mahi-Mahi, Shark Suckers and Barracuda. These |
| been announced yet. We are anticipating a two | | | | species can be caught year-round but the best |
| month season during June and July like we had in | | | | fishing is from April to October. Some can be |
| 2008. There is also a two fish bag limit per person | | | | caught while trolling or sight fishing. Most are |
| and a minimum length of 16 inches. | | | | caught while reef fishing. Some species such as |
| Red Snapper is not the only fish in the gulf. There | | | | the Bull Redfish are available during the winter |
| are many other species available in Alabama | | | | months from November to March. The Cobia |
| waters that are available to catch. Whether you | | | | migration occurs during the end of March and all |
| decide to fish from the surf, a pier, on the jetties | | | | the way through April. |
| or by boat, there are always fish to catch in | | | | Overnight oil rig trips usually produce migratory |
| Alabama. One thing for sure is, there is some | | | | game fish like Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna. They |
| good saltwater fishing in Gulf Shores and Orange | | | | can also produce Blue or White Marlin. Rainbow |
| Beach, Alabama and you need to be enjoying it. | | | | Runners and Dorado or Mahi-Mahi are also |
| Depending on when you want to go fishing, back | | | | available offshore and can be found on rip lines |
| bay or inshore species such as Redfish, Speckled | | | | further out. Our closest oil rigs that produce tuna |
| Trout, Sheepshead, Flounder, White Trout, | | | | are 60 miles offshore. It takes a fast boat in calm |
| Croakers, Pompano and saltwater Catfish are | | | | seas or an overnight charter trip to get there and |
| usually available during spring, summer and fall | | | | get into position to have a chance to catch them. |
| months. Some fish are more abundant than | | | | As with all fishing, there are no guaranteed |
| others and are available year-round. You need to | | | | catches. Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama |
| consult a tackle shop or an inshore guide to find | | | | does have some wonderful fishing available. If you |
| out what's biting. Some good tackle stores in | | | | are fishing and not having any luck catching fish, |
| Orange Beach are Mo's Bait & Tackle, Top | | | | you might need to consult a fishing guide or hire a |
| Gun Tackle, J&M Tackle and Sam's. They all | | | | charter boat to take you. As with anything, |
| have a good pulse of what is biting and can | | | | knowledge costs money. Hiring a charter is a well |
| suggest which bait, tackle or inshore charters you | | | | spent investment. |
| can use. | | | | |