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