Fishing!

Gulf Shores is a highly visited vacation destination located on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Many vacationers near and far head down for the soft white sand beaches, blue-green water, and overall natural beauty. It is a hidden paradise that will have you returning year after year. Not only is it known for its stunning sunsets and slow southern summers, but it is a hub for surf fishing. It is a popular and easily accessible area, swimming with a diverse sea life that makes for the perfect fishing spot.

Surf fishing a sport that most anyone with a proper license can partake in. You can even purchase your license on-site any time of day. Surf fishing is fun and easy because you can do it from the shoreline, wading in the water or from the safety of the piers. The gulf is an ideal spot with its warm waters and many year-round peak seasons for various fish. If you’re looking to catch flounder, your best bet is to hit the shore any time from April to October. If you want Kingfish, May to September. If you’re not picky about your timing, you can expect plenty of sheepsheads, redfish, seatrout, croaker, black or red drum, bluefish, and crevalle jack to be hanging out in the waters year-round.

Because the gulf is one of the few places where the ocean meets inland waters, this leaves room along the coast by way of jetties at the mouth for fish to migrate. This gives you the advantage to catch even more seasonal fish. Another trick to reeling in a catch is hanging out under bridges where fish like black drums congregate. Sandbars are also a smart place to stand so that you can see the schools of fish passing by. In clearer water, you may even be able to spot a fish waiting to find its own meal. In darker water, with more depth, the edges where it drops off are where predators wait for their prey making them an easier catch. Aside from finding the right area, it’s important to go at the right time of day. Going in low-light either at sunrise or dusk is the perfect situation. This means avoiding crowded areas in which the fish might be scared away and gives you your own personal time to enjoy.

When grabbing your gear, don’t forget some tasty bait. In order to catch large game, you should have live or frozen shrimp, squid, and sand fleas. These are prime snacks. You can even take it a step further and soak your bait in salt water to keep it firm and keep its scent fresh, it’s known to be highly effective. If you don’t have any bait on you or prefer using lures, be sure they are shiny, fish love it. Once you have your fish food, make sure you’ve got the right rod. Most anglers use a rod between 9 to 15 feet. Your rod should be sturdy, able to handle any big catches and flexible enough so that you can cast at long distances. Some fishermen will even use a saltwater line to keep the line from corroding. Adding a heavy anchor can’t hurt either, it will keep your bait from moving along in the current. Once you’re all set up, sit back and enjoy!

With all that said, you should be set to go about your fishing expedition! Gulf shores has many things to offer, rich in history with a gorgeous landscape. Start planning your trip to this golden getaway.