Coastal Alabama Fishing Report - 5/7/2018
- Captain Billy Howell
- May 7, 2018
- 13 min read
Let the Fishing Frenzy Begin!
As an avid angler, there is nothing worse than wanting to be on the water with a rod in your hand, but instead having to sit on the sidelines like a waterboy. Every break from my training session was spent torturing myself with fish pictures from Facebook and Instagram. One would think, this would just serve as a means of excitement. Unfortunately, it felt more like hot coals were being heaped upon my head. Thanks to Saltwater Finaddicts, Alabama Fleet and Gulf Shores Pier Fishing.com for providing those wonderful lumps of coal, and it's not even Christmas. :) I'm only kidding, I truly am thankful for great groups like this that offer us an avenue to share our passion for fishing with each other.
Shortly after midnight Friday morning, my flight circled for landing. It only took one glance at the at the water below, to remind myself of all the GREAT things starting to happen in our waters, and, that I was only a couple days from being able to get back out and do what I love.
The fishing this past week was frenetic! Surf anglers continued to murder the pompano and added quality speckled trout to the mix. On Wednesday, over 20 king mackerel were landed on Gulf States Pier by 1 p.m. Inshore, the speckled trout bite has been hot on the reefs in Orange Beach, certain areas of Mobile Bay, the shoals at Dauphin island and the oyster beds in the Mississippi Sound. In addition to that, Captain Richard Rutland, Cold Blooded Fishing, wowed the local fishing world with an impressive blackfish tagging clinic this past Sunday. Also, early in the week, Captain Erik Nelson, Finatics Fishing Charters was able to turn a slow morning speckled trout bite into a slamming good time, catching 4 blackfish. His word of advice this time of year if you are targeting blackfish, "never pass by a floating object without giving it a look."
Near and Offshore, cobia have finally started to make their appearance known. Interesting cobia story from last week, while I was filling my tank at Caribe Marina, the dock attendant said, "you just missed it." He said a guy in a skiff had just left with a 70lb cobia they caught 11 miles offshore. The anglers were fishing for b-liners and triggerfish when they hooked into their big girl. Despite not having a gaff or a bat, they were able to successfully land and subdue the fish long enough to get back to the dock. With amberjack season opening this past Tuesday, anglers have been busting it to battle their reef donkey. Amberjack and triggerfish season will close May 31, 2018 just in time for our gulf red snapper season to open. So get 'em while you can.
Pictured above is a STUD cobia caught by Joshua Terry and his crew this past weekend while fishing for live bait. There should be plenty of steaks to go around. Congratulations Joshua on this awesome catch!
For the past several weeks, we have been begging for the winds to lay down and the temperatures to warm up. Let's face it, that's when we start seeing the pelagic fish busting big balls of bait, cobia cruising the top of the water, tripletail lurking under just about anything floating and more pictures of people fishing on their work days, I mean days off. You asked for it, and Mother Nature is finally getting in the mood. For the next 15 days, we are forecast for highs in the mid 80's and lows in the 60's and south breezes that feel more like summertime; pretty much nonexistent. While she appears to be compromising on wind and the temperatures, her humidity is already bearing down on us.
If you haven't already, make sure all your safety gear is loaded and in date, check all bilge pumps, through hulls and connections, get those rods and reels ready to go and most of all, get out and get bent!
These reports require a collaborative effort from all the contributors, so please click their link and follow their social media accounts. Also, subscribe on our website at www.bentoutfittersfishing.com to receive these reports as they come out. Please leave comments at the bottom of the blog after reading and let us know if you find the information interesting and helpful. If you would like to get local fishing news or a tournament announcement in the blog, email bentoutfittersfishing@gmail.com This weeks prize will consist of a $ 25.00 Academy Gift Card, a Matrix Shad sampler pack and a Reel Fun Enterprises, Catchers Mitt. Like and Share the report on your personal or business page, Follow our Facebook page and subscribe to our website to get in this weeks drawing. Once you have followed instructions, type done in the original blog post on Monday.
INSHORE REPORT
Orange Beach / Gulf Shores - Wolf Bay - ICW
Tails and Scales Fishing Charters - Captain Taylor Fisher
Instagram: @tail_scalescharters
Cell: 251-550-9301
Captain Taylor says, the speckled trout and flounder bite has been ON-FIRE between the reefs near Perdido Pass and Pensacola Pass. This past Sunday in just a short one and a half hour trip, Capt. Taylor and his crew caught over 30 speckled trout on everything from live shrimp, gulp to matrix shad.
They finished out their week on Friday, when he and a couple friends had the flounder trip of a lifetime, catching over 40 in just a few short hours. Pictured below are just the ones they kept.
Captain Taylor has been fishing the Orange Beach / Gulf Shores area from over 10 years, runs his guided fishing trips out of Caribe Marina and always shows his customers a great time.
Eastern Shore - Mobile Bay - Dauphin Island
Ugly Fishing - Captain Patric Garmeson
Facebook: @ugly.fishing
Instagram: @ugly_fishing
Website: www.uglyfishing.com
Cell: 251-747-1554
Captain Patric says, "it was like a light switch was flipped from last week to this week, slow fishing last week to wide a$$ open this week. I fished the upper Mobile Bay Monday and Tuesday with a Pradco brand representative to target speckled trout while using some of their brand lures and corks. I was fortunate to be able to bring my son, "work fishing" as he calls it and he was a real camera hog. We threw a variety of brand new baits from Cotton Cordell and Bomber. We also threw Yum soft plastics rigged on Bomber jig heads and Bomber brand popping corks. Well, our efforts didn’t go unnoticed because we wrecked some great speckled trout both days and nailed a giant black drum on a Yum mud minnow. Mid week was consumed by boat maintenance and land-lover chores. Late week, I was back on the water with some great clients catching a little bit of everything. We fished Dauphin Island and Bayou La Batre Friday and Saturday Mornings. Dauphin Island produced some every-cast kind of action on Egret Baits, Baby Vudu Shrimp and Bayou La Batre produced a pile of lower slot and rat reds with one really nice bull red. We also landed some really nice spanish mackerel on live shrimp under our Bomber popping corks. I ended this week back on my causeway stomping grounds on Saturday afternoon for a three hour trip with a husband and wife from Houston. They absolutely crushed the trout on baby Vudu shrimp under Bomber popping corks. This coming week has me scheduled to leave from Weeks Bay on Monday and Dauphin Island on Tuesday. Good luck on the water and check out L&M Marine if your in the market for a new boat or a re-power.
Captain Patric Garmeson is very mobile running trips from Dauphin Island to Gulf Shores. Captain Patric has years of experience fishing our local waters and is sure to provide you and your family with a fun-filled, fish catching experience on the water.
Mobile Bay - Dauphin Island – Fort Morgan
Irish Wake Fishing - Captain Jay O’Brien
Facebook: @ IrishWake Fishing
Instagram: @Irish Wake Fishing
Website: www.irishwakefishing.com
Phone: 251-272-4285
Captain JayO says, "the wind is still an issue but we finally got some breaks the past week. I ran most of my trips out of the Mississippi Sound fishing from West Fowl River to Grand Bay. While not finding the fish bunched up in any one spot, we were able to still catch good numbers of fish that were scattered about. We had to weed through the shorts, but the fish are there. Live shrimp and Vudu's under popping corks did the trick. I was even able to get out and chase the Tripletail after one trip for about an hour when the conditions were right. We went 3 for 4, sight casting from the 2nd station of my boat, and saw numerous juvenile fish we didn’t pitch to. I was also still able to find some pockets of cleaner water on the western shore flats of Mobile Bay between the TIC and the Mobile River that were still holding fish. These fish were caught with Vudu and live shrimp under popping corks, Slick Lures and Rapala Skiterwalkers. The Mobile River was still flushing out this past week, but is finally below flood stage now and that should help the fishing in the upper end of the bay. Fishing in the Mobile River was extremely slow, but I was able to catch a few really nice trout up to 5 lbs and watched a 7 lb trout get landed as well; however, the bites there were few and far between. Those fish were caught on slip corks and grubs. With the higher temperatures and little to no rain the past week, it’s like a switch was turned on and the fish have gotten very active especially in the lower end of the Bay and the Mississippi Sound. The long range forecast is still showing little rain and higher temperatures which should continue to make things better."
Captain JayO is very mobile running trips from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan. Captain JayO has years of experience fishing our local waters and is sure to provide you and your family with a fun-filled, fish catching experience on the water. Irish Wake Fishing’s motto is Trophies, Groceries and Good Times!
Irish Wake Fishing would also like to thank their sponsors Islamorada Boatworks, Cajun Custom Rods and Smith Optics.
Surfside
Shore Thing Fishing - Captain Dusty Hayes
Instagram: @capt.dustin
Cell: 678-897-0167
Captain Dusty said, surf fishing was great this past week with the bonus being beautiful weather! He says there are still plenty of pompano being caught along the beaches along with many other fish . The flounder and trout are also starting to make an appearance on the beach with most being caught on artificial lures. The Unfair Lures Rip N Slash 70 and and soft plastics for flounder . The peeled shrimp and Fishbites method will still produce fish for the next few weeks until the temps get really hot . You can click the picture to pull up Unfair Lures breadth of fish catching products.
The Pier Review
Captain David Collins
Captain David says, while the bite was great this past week at the piers, the fishing this weekend slowed down a tad bit as the north and northwest wind pushed the fish offshore. He says there were still plenty of spanish and pompano caught at the pier in Navarre. Also, Gulf State Pier is producing BIG spanish mackerel with some stud speckled trout being caught in the shallows. Capt. David says, the kings will likely be sparse until the wind shifts back around on Tuesday this upcoming week. Otherwise he says, "fishing is fishing. Your bait has to be wet and worst case you will get a full cup of vitamin D and Vitamin Sea." Captain David closes out by saying, "Y'all go get on the bent rod express!"
This stud speckled trout was caught this weekend by yonng angler, Abel Brantley at Gulf State Pier and can be seen on GSPierfishing.com
Offshore Report
Orange Beach, Alabama
Reel Kill Fishing Charters - Captain Bryars Bishop
Facebook: @reelkillcharters
Instagram: @reel_kill_charters
Website: www.reelkillcharters.com
Cell: 251-714-6008
Captain Bryars says, this past weekend offered great weather and even better seas. They caught some big amberjack (over 50 lbs), and also lost some big ones. They continued to get an easy limit of triggerfish and a good haul of beeliners. Their special fish of the day, Friday, was a big mahi (48" length, 24" girth) they caught while amberjack fishing. Capt. Bryars said, "she swam right up to the boat and we got her to stick around by throwing out squid until we could get a jig in the water. We hooked her up and watched her put on a show as we worked her to the boat." Capt. Bryars also ran a 4 hr trolling trip and caught 3 nice king mackerel and some spanish mackerel.
Pictured above was a nice haul from one of Captain Bryars trips this past week. Even had Mahi Surprise!
Capt. Bryars has years of experience fishing the Alabama Gulf coast and guides out of Caribe Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. His trips always brings in a boat load of fish and he shows his clients a great time on the water.
Bent Outfitters Fishing - Captain Billy Howell
Facebook: @bentoutfittersfishing
Instagram: @bent_outfitters_fishing
Website: www.bentoutfittersfishing.com
Cell: 601-938-7161
For us, this past week was more about talking to other anglers that actually getting to fish. Over the next week, we will be hitting the water and hopefully bringing you a great inshore and offshore report. I can't describe how truly exciting this time of year makes us. The bait is starting to show up, as well as, all the fish we like to target. Keep up to date by following our facebook page above and let's go fishing!
Captain Billy has a few years fishing experience in the Alabama Coastal area and guides trips out of Caribe Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. Captain Billy has a history of putting clients on fish and showing them a great time.
Local News
My apologies for having the date wrong for the MBGFC Wounded Warriors event. That event was held this first weekend in May and was a huge success. Special thanks to all those who came together to make this event successful for our veterans.
Above was the parade of boats leaving the pass. Photo captured by Captain Erik Nelson.
ACFA held their monthly meeting this past Thursday night at Moe's Original BBQ in downtown Mobile. Captain Patric Garmeson, Ugly Fishing, shared some specific tips with the group about how to catch more springtime speckled trout. The group also raised another $400 for the Tourne Family.
Over the weekend there were a couple other tournaments, the ACFA Young Guns vs. Old Salts and the United Cerebral Palsy tournament. In the ACFA tournament, the Old Salts made a late push to grab the title.
In the UCP tournament, Blake Stringer and Matthew Corl came up a little short at the weigh-in but reported a decent early morning topwater bite on the shoals at Dauphin Island. He said their best fishing was back to the west. They were able to put 16 solid speckled trout in the box by noon, when they got off the water.
Meanwhile, Capt. Shane Traylor, Bonafide Inshore Charters, brought home 1st place in the speckled trout category with this 7.22 lb beauty. He also took first place in the redfish category with a 6.16 lb stud.
Complete results are in the table below
Below you will find a mostly complete list of upcoming tournaments put together and posted by Saltwater Finaddicts . Give it a look over and make your tournament plans today.
Local Tournaments
The Tourne' Tournament will be held on May 26, 2018 to honor the memory of Lori Tourne' You can click the link above to secure your spot in this inshore tourney to support a great cause.
The 10th annual Christ The King Inshore tournament will be held at Camp Cullen in Point Clear, AL. Plan to come out for food, family and great times! Click the link above to register for the tournament.
Guardians of the Thin Blue Line are hosting their inaugural "Hookin' for the Thin Blue Line" to raise money to buy much-needed equipment for local Law Enforcement Officers. For sponsorship info or team entry registration, contact Lilly at 251-402-4933 or send an email to: guardianangelstbl@gmail.com You can also find more information by clicking on the link above.
For the 2nd year in a row, The Rowe family will host the Elaine Rowe Memorial, Kid's Day Out tournament at Dauphin Island. Last year was a tremendous success with over 200 kids participating. The Rowe family says, "Join us for the 2nd Annual-Elaine Rowe-Kids Day Out Tournament. We will have raffle prizes, food, drinks, and more! Get those babies outdoors for a fun filled day!" More informaion can be found by clicking on the image above.
Upcoming Events
Locally started fishing group nearing 8000 members, Saltwater Finaddicts is hosting Finaddicts at the Grounds Drawdown on May 19, in Mobile. Every ticket purchase will get you food, drinks, in the drawing for prizes and "just an all out good time"! Ticket sales will be capped at 500. The Well Born Band will be providing the tunes. 15% of every ticket purchased will be donated to the Sgt. Foster L. Harrington Detachment, Marine Corps League. For those unfamiliar with the organization, it’s a local 100% non-profit for veterans. They provide Uber rides to doctor appointments, child care, and cater to various other veteran needs. Justin Lee Fadalla recommends contacting him promptly if you’re interested in a booth or sponsoring the event. He can be contacted at 251-623-3240.
Coastal Culinary Corner
This weeks' culinary treat comes to you courtesy EatAlabamaSeafood.com. Since the Gulf flounder are making their way onshore, we decided to highlight a recipe that looks like a fantastic new way to try it.
Flounder with Lobster, Corn and Cream Sauce
Serving Size - 4
Ingredients:
¼ cup Fresh Corn, Slightly Cooked
1 cup Cream
½ tsp Onion Powder
½ tsp Garlic Powder
½ tsp Pepper
½ tsp Salt
4 Green Onions, Chopped
4 Flounder Fillets
1 tbsp Butter
¾ cup White Wine
1 Lobster Tail
Instructions:
Boil the lobster tail in ½ cup of the wine in a saucepan. Reduce the heat. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Drain and peel the lobster, reserving 2 tablespoons of the lobster stock. Cut the lobster into medallions and keep warm. Spread the butter in a baking dish. Arrange the fish in the buttered dish. Pour the remaining ¼ cup wine over the fish and sprinkle with ¼ of the green onions. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Drain the baking liquid into a saucepan. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees. Turn over the fish and sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Return to the oven. Bake for 5 minutes. Add the reserved lobster stock to the baking liquid. Stir in the cream. Boil until the mixture is reduced to a sauce consistency. Add the lobster and corn. Stir in the remaining green onions. Pour over the flounder fillets.
Sponsor Spotlight
The sponsor spotlight this week features features Breakline Polarized Lenses. I was a Costa Del Mar guy the majority of my adulthood, starting with the first pair I found lying in a parking lot. While the lens quality was much better than anything I had ever worn, I ended up mailing them back to Costa at least once every year to either have a lens replaced or the nose pieces replaced, granted, sometimes it was my fault. The way I figure it, by the time I finally switched to Breakline Polarized lenses, I had invested at least $ 500 in that one pair of glasses. Approximately 2 years ago, Bry Shields introduced me to Breakline Polarized lenses and frames.
Breakline is a locally grown company with products built to last and designed to improve your outdoor lifestyle. Through their innovative polarized lens technology, you will see that they truly offer the best polarized sunglasses in the outdoors industry. All their lenses are poly-carbonate and have coatings to enhance your vision and product durability. Their lifetime warranty includes loss prevention is revolutionary. They offer enough variety in frames to fit most any need.
I have a narrow head, so the Ballyhoo are the best fit for me personally. Let's just say they fit like a comfortable glove. The mirrored lenses minimize the glair and provide me with perfect vision to look for shadows in the water. I own lenses in every color, since different lenses work better depending on the water clarity.
If you are looking for some new lenses click the Breakline Polarized hyperlink to browse their product offerings. Use Pro-Deal-20 at checkout to get 20% off.
Summary
Whether you love to fish or just enjoy being on the water, the weather is finally cooperating! Get those reels cleaned, line spooled and rods bent!
If you are planning a vacation to the area and want to take advantage of great fishing, cruise the bay or islands, there are plenty of options for you. Special thanks to all the contributors for this report. We look forward to keeping you informed each week of what's happening on the water.
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