| Saltwater fishing off Alabama's Atlantic | | | | farther out. The best way to locate Dolphin |
| coast is some of the sweetest and most | | | | is to first locate a driftline (otherwise |
| productive on the East coast. Part of the | | | | known as a "rip"). The driftline serves as |
| reason for this is the diversity of species | | | | structure for smaller bait fish and this is |
| commonly caught. Another bonus for the locals | | | | what the Dolphin prey on. |
| or anglers who choose Alabama as an angling | | | | |
| vacation destination is the fact that the | | | | Once you've found one, look for action in the |
| southern climes allow for a long and | | | | water and cast into it. This is where the |
| comfortable warm season. | | | | real fishing begins. The trick is to leave |
| | | | that first fish on a stringer in the water. |
| Alabama has long been known for its Southern | | | | This will attract more of them and you can |
| charm and hospitality so rest assured that | | | | cast at your leisure. |
| you will find plenty of people to help you | | | | |
| and point you in the right direction for any | | | | More Shallow Water Angling |
| questions you might have, whether fishing or | | | | |
| other activities you might be involved in | | | | Do you like to fish shallow water? Alabama |
| while there. | | | | flats offer ample opportunity to land |
| | | | Redfish. These Reds like going shallow where |
| A Diversity of Species to be Found | | | | they can feast on some of their favorite |
| | | | treats - small crustaceans. |
| Are you an aficionado of night angling? Be | | | | |
| prepared for some serious Flounder action. | | | | To get up front and personal with this tasty |
| The tasty "flatfish" are bountiful on the | | | | fish wading is a good option, and the best |
| sandbars of Mobile Bay. You can wade or | | | | way to get to the hot spots are by kayak or |
| approach quietly in a shallow draft vessel. | | | | Florida flats-boats. Either way once you get |
| The only other things you need are a lighting | | | | there you'll have to find the fish. |
| system and a gig. These rascals are experts | | | | |
| atcamouflaging themselves with the sand, so | | | | Look for Reds that are "tailing", that is, |
| look for the telltale hump with an eye. | | | | swimming in water that is so shallow that |
| | | | their dorsal fins are out of the water waving |
| There aren't too many fishing sights as | | | | around. This is a sure sign that they are |
| exhilarating as watching a well-hooked | | | | feeding on small crabs and the like. |
| Dolphin (also known in the restaurant as | | | | |
| Mahi-Mahi or Dorado because exotic names | | | | If you like a spinning reel, a gold spoon |
| warrant higher prices) leaping from the water | | | | works well. If the flats are weedy, use a |
| displaying a rainbow of colors. | | | | weedless rig or bait a hook with a live |
| | | | shrimp and toss it into the weeds. The Reds |
| You can land the smaller ones, up to about | | | | can find it by scent. But since Reds can be |
| ten pounds, close to shore from early May | | | | skittish, fly fishing is very effective. |
| through October. The larger ones can be found | | | | |