Coastal Alabama Fishing Report - 5/14/2018
- Captain Billy Howell
- May 14, 2018
- 15 min read
First comes like, next comes Obsession!
I'm not sure at what age the first rod was placed in my hand, but my addiction started early. In the early years weekends and summers were spent with nothing more than a cane pole, a piece of mono, a small cork and a hook sitting on the pond bank at my Mamaw and Papaw's. We would would flip it out into the pond and wait for the cork to disappear;catching bream and catfish. Back in the day, that WAS our kiddie pole. Soon after, I graduated to the ZEBCO 33 Spincast Reel. For years, the Zebco family of reels has always been one of the most commonly sold because of their versatility and ease of use. It was nothing more than a battle to try to land 5-10lb catfish with that reel.
As the teenage years approached, I fell in love with bass fishing, primarily fishing with 3 lures; a chartreuse H&H with a silver spinner, a silver tiny torpedo and my ever so trusty, purple worm. Over the years, I caught more fish on a purple worm than all the other lures combined. Fortunately, we were kindly encouraged to spend our time outdoors instead of playing Atari. Most every minute of daylight was spent riding bikes with the kids in the neighborhood, building forts, adventuring or fishing.
Santa Claus must have really been watching me, because at age 13, he brought me my first Daiwa open-face, bait casting reel for Christmas. Over the first couple weeks, I re=spooled that reel at least twice, making me think, surely, I had actually been on the naughty list.
Fast forward to 5 years ago when we moved back South. When we made the decision to leave Kentucky, we knew we wanted to be closer to water so we settled on Fairhope. After settling in our new home, the next thing on the list of "have to haves," was a boat. We purchased a 22 foot Nautic Star hybrid because we wanted the versatility to go on the bay and the Gulf. Around that time NOAA fisheries had announced a 10 day October Fall red snapper season. Since I had never been fishing on the Gulf, we scrambled to schedule the boat delivery, get all the safety gear, rods and terminal tackle just in time to fish. Boat delivery was dragging on and my cousin's family was coming go fishing that opening day. My cousin and I ended up having to drive halfway between Fairhope and Montgomery to meet a driver coming from South Carolina at 10 p.m., the night before the season was slated to open. By the time we got home, we had just enough time to load all the safety gear on the boat, the gear, the tackle, ice, cigar minnows and take a 2 hour nap.
Since I was a newbie to fishing the coastal waters of Alabama, my brother-in-law volunteered to captain the boat and take us out to fish some tanks. We launched out of Mullet Point and made about a 40 mile run before we finally hooks got wet. I will never forget that day as it was the Gulf was smoother than a baby's butt. It wasn't long before my rod was bent for the first time on the Gulf. The adrenaline rush from fighting that 6 lb beast was like nothing I had every felt before. At that moment, I can honestly say, I was hooked at first bend. Just like that, love became an obsession and in that moment, Bent Outfitters Fishing was born!
Now to the good stuff! This past week saw some of the best conditions one could imagine for fishing, compared to what we had experienced all spring. Last week we experienced temperatures in the mid to upper 80's, with little to no morning breeze, switching to moderate breezes in the afternoon, just enough for the sweat to cool you off. Fortunately, we caught a break in the humidity, if you were fishing anywhere near grass you may have had to battle the noseums.
In Orange Beach, the speckled trout bite continued to be hot on the reefs and the grass flats, with the pompano bite still good but tapering off. Larger numbers of quality, speckled trout are being caught from beach and piers. King and spanish mackerel and bonita are getting thick and on the chew. Back to the West, the bull reds have still been ferociously feeding on Dixey Bar. The speckled trout bite around the reefs, the shoals at Dauphin Island and Mississippi sound continued to be on fire.
Nearshore and Offshore, calmer, warmer waters have resulted in an increase of king and spanish mackerel and cobia sightings and landings. Believe it or not, this past week, the water was cleaner 30 miles out than it was at 50 miles, but the current was moving so fast you need to sink a golf cart with your bait to get it straight down and hold it. That still didn't stop a host of anglers from loading up on big amberjack and triggerfish.
On a weekday trolling trip last week, Captain Robb Hall, Tidalist Charters and his group caught about 20 bonita and 6 king mackerel in the trolling corridor in Orange Beach trolling a Rapala, imitation mahi, deep diving plug.
Captain Jason Gamble of Red Sky Fishing Co. had an open day this week and decided to put groceries in the freezer, Check out this awesome mess of fish pictured below.
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 week, we will give away a men's and ladies prize. For the ladies, we have a Reel Fun Enterprises, Ladies Catchers Mitt and a $ 25.00 Academy Gift Card. For the guys we have a Matrix Shad sampler pack and a Reel Fun Enterprises, Catchers Mitt. Read all the way through the report to find out how to win!
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 bite in Orange Beach slowed down this past week, but the fish are still around with the ones they are catching being better quality. Capt. Taylor says, the speckled trout are moving to shallow grass flats early and late and reported catching more speckled trout and redfish under dock lights. The redfish bite is heating up and the flounder are getting thicker. From the jetties, they are still catching pompano but it has slowed down somewhat. Last week they spent time catching spanish and kings right off the beach trolling and drifting live baits. Capt. Taylor even said the tarpon are showing up, the poor man's tarpon that is (ladyfish). While ladyfish might be annoying and not something you care to use for anything other than cut bait, they do put up a fun fight.
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, "our fishery is as full of life right now as we have seen all year. Bait fish of all types may be found throughout Mobile Bay, Mississippi Sound and most, if not all of the tidal rivers around the bay. It’s almost more difficult to find areas not full of bait than to find areas with bait. I fished out of Weeks Bay, Dauphin Island, Fowl River and Bayou La Batre this week, with different goals each day; locals that are looking for my guidance to help them better understand the Mobile Bay Area, out-of-towners looking for anything that bites and artificial bait enthusiasts looking to pick up some fish on a lure of any kind. Speckled trout provided the most action for the week Monday through Friday, while Saturday turned into a redfish massacre.
Slip corks, freeline, popping corks, soft plastics and subsurface hard baits provided plenty of action. Despite our efforts on topwater we fell short each attempt. Next week looks great and I can’t wait to dive off into some different tactics."
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 weather this past week was about as good as you can get and the fishing was on fire too! I ran most of my trips out of the Mississippi Sound fishing from West Fowl River to Grand Bay and found fish at just about every stop. Some days it took weeding through the shorts but other days were full of keepers and even some larger trout up to 5 lbs, my clients released. Live shrimp and Vudu's under popping corks did the trick here. Even got to chase Tripletail again for about an hour when the conditions were right. We went 2 for 3 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 fish on the flats of Mobile Bay between the TIC and the Mobile River one day as well. There were also some fish in Dog River to be had. These fish were had with Vudu shrimp and live shrimp under popping corks, Slick Lures and Rapala Skitter Walkers. The lower end of the Bay has cleaned up nicely as well and there are fish to be had in both shallow and deeper water. Live shrimp and grubs like the Yum Mud Minnow, were the ticket here. The fishing is as good as I have seen it in a while. Get out there and take advantage or hire your favorite captain to take you out!
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 says, "it was another beautiful week of weather! Really calm conditions allowed surf fisherman to throw hardbaits at some nice sized trout! Still plenty of pompano being caught especially further west. Peeled shrimp, sand fleas and fishbites always do the trick. As it gets warmer the ladyfish, mackerel and many other fork tail critters will be in the surf chasing baitfish and are a blast to catch on any artificial lures such as spoons, topwaters, and suspending twitch baits.Good luck!"
Captain Dusty Hayes has been guiding visitors to fish catching experiences in the surf for several years now and is a great young man. Click on his link above for more information on how to book a trip with him.
The Pier Review
Captain David Collins
Captain David says, "Pier fishing is GREAT right now! Sunrise has been producing kings on the Gulfshores pier, as well as huge Spanish (6lbs). There have been huge schools of red and jacks too. The pier is holding bait like no ones business, cigar minnows, LY's, Hardtails. Get a sabiki or a ribbon and you will catch an endless supply. The Florida piers have been producing Mahi and still a few Cobia. Its time to kill fish everyone! WHIIIIIIIIIIP!!! Fish ON!"
If you have never experienced fishing from a pier during fishing season, head down to Gulf State Pier in Gulf Shores this summer. It might create your newest addiction. The photo below captures an observers viewpoint of sunrise action at the pier. Photo Credit Steve Jones, posted to 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, "great weather this past week allowed us to get out and do what we do best, kill fish! We’re still Caching big triggerfish and limits of beeliners and some nice amberjack. Water temperature is getting just about perfect and the fish are turned on. The king and spanish mackerel bite has been on fire. We had a couple successful trolling trips this past week as well. Red Snapper season is around the corner and our book is getting full, so call today for availability!"
Pictured above was a nice haul from one of the trolling trips Captain Bryars ran this past week.
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
This past week, we spent a couple days offshore and a long day inshore. We started the week with a couple from Texas, celebrating their 10 year anniversary. Justin and Marley had never been reef fishing. Marley's expectations were low, as she warned me early on the trip, that we probably wouldn't catch fish, because she was there. I dropped the first line in and handed her the rod. First drop, she doubled on triggerfish. After catching limits of triggerfish, we took live baits and drifted for amberjack. We caught a short amberjack and 2 ginormous red snapper. Overall this was a great 5 hour trip for the special couple.
Middle part of the week, we went deep dropping and bottom fishing, catching vermillion snapper, triggerfish, sea bass and scamp. The current was somewhat of a nuisance, but we still managed to put some meat in the box.
On Friday, we worked around a neap tide on the 2 inshore trips. There was absolutely ZERO water movement for the entire four hours that we fished, but the customers manage to catch about a dozen speckled trout, with the largest (3 1/2 lbs) and the most being caught on a silver Rapala Ripstop. After the speckled trout bite died off, we managed to catch about a dozen hardtails and 2 pompano off the jetties.
The afternoon trip was run a little earlier than I would have liked and the bite was even slower. Because there was no current, we had to drift to keep our free-lined live shrimp high enough in the water column for the trout to eat. We still managed to catch trout, but the prized fishes of the day were the couple flounder we caught, including the 20 1/2 inch stud pictured below.
Local News
This past Sunday, Fairhope Fishing Team hosted an event at the Fairhope Pier for special needs classmates. Under Coach Scott Berrys' passionate and caring leadership, the fishing team continues to grow and do good things within the community. Fishing is more than just a hobby for many, it's a livliehood and because of Coach Berry, some of these students will have the opportunity to explore them. This event would not have been such a huge success without the students and parent volunteers.
While all the kids had a great time, there were a couple that won prizes for their participation. Every child that participated received a Bent Outfitters Fishing hat and a t-shirt. Pictured below are them being awarded the rod and reel combos' sponsored by Lew's.
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
People have been asking for it, so here it is! Smoked King Mackerel dip at your fingertips, or at least after you follow the recipe. Trial and error has helped us get it where we like it. We make one version that is a little more spicy than the other. This recipe requires preparation of a wet brine, air drying then smoking.
Smoked King Mackerel Dip (The Brine)
Ingredients (Brine)
1/2 Gallon Water
1 /4Tsp Onion Salt
1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
1/2 Cup Kosher Salt or Canning Salt
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Bay Leaf
8 4oz King Filets with skin on
Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients together and place filets in completely covered. Let them sit a minimum of 4 hours and refrigerate. We typically leave ours in the wet brine for 24 hours. Once that time is up, remove the filets and place them on a broiler pan and let them air dry for up TO 3 hours, or until they form a pellicle. An hour or so before you plan to smoke the fish, prepare your smoker and cold smoke the fish for 4 hours or until completely cooked. Once the fish is removed from the smoker either shred it then (it's easier) or before adding to the mixture.
Ingredients (The Dip)
4 Tsp Horseradish
3 packs Green Onions Chopped
4 Tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
8 Tbsp Sour Cream
16 oz cream cheese
2 Tbsp - Blue Plate Mayonaise
4 Tbsp Roasted Red Pepper
1-2 tsp Liquid Smoke
Kosher salt to taste
Fresh Ground Pepper to Tast
Instructions:
Soften the cream cheese by letting it sit out of the refrigerator for a couple hours then mix all the other ingredients together. Once you have a good consistency, start adding in the shredding smoked king mackerel. Once it is mixed well, place it in the refrigerator and let it sit for up to 24 hours before eating. The flavor only gets better as all the ingredients have a chance to blend together. This recipe should provide you with about 2 1/4 lbs of dip. ENJOY!
Sponsor Spotlight
This week's Sponsor Spotlight features Reel Fun Enterprises. Mark Cartwright and the crew knew what they were doing when they came to market with "The Catcher's Mitt." No, I'm not talking baseball terms. The Catcher's Mitt should be your new best friend while fishing. It only takes getting finned, gill plated or bitten by any of the toothy critters swimming our Gulf waters to realize the value of having proper hand protection when fishing. For 3 years, I can't even recall just how many times I came home from red snapper fishing with battle wounds that would take a week to heal.
Reader Feedback
This past week, we asked YOU the reader what you thought about the reports and what you would like to see added or improved. We love the suggestions and will try to start working things in for future editions where possible. Suggestions and comments included:
"Would love to see the photos of the lures we are using" - Matthew Seeds
"Maybe some rigging for different species" - Kenny Creech
"I really like that you include pictures of the fish being caught" - Jason Bobb
"Been reading for several weeks and I've never seen anything like it" Corey Stockman
"Great Report" - Josh Cain
"Very Cool, love the details, pics but concise, quick read" - Matt Norris
I believe we will start out by getting readers to submit a specific question each week and each Captain give their feedback. How bout dat? Email your questions to bentoutfittersfishing@gmail.com
Weekly Giveaway
For this weeks giveaway it's simple, correctly count the number of lures in the picture below and email us at bentoutfittersfishing@gmail.com Also, you must be subscribed to our website to qualify. Subscribe at www.bentoutfittersfishing.com.
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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