We’re going to let you in on a little secret that professional anglers may not want you to know. Along Alabama’s Coastal Connection, fall is one of the best times of year for inshore and offshore fishing. That’s right. Aside from the considerably less crowded beaches and blissfully cooler temperatures, there’s another reason to pack your bags and head for the coastal byway: fall fishing! Pack your poles and take your tackle box. If you know what you’re looking for, you’ll score big on the waters along the byway.
Redfish – The redfish are in abundance and biting along Alabama’s Coastal Connection this time of year, especially near Orange Beach and Fort Morgan.
Speckled Trout – In the fall, speckled trout begin moving into their deep-water pattern and can often be spotted along piers, docks, and at the mouths of rivers. Larger ones can weigh as much as eight pounds, and they’re sought after for their reputation for putting up a fight.
Grouper – Thanks to fishery management efforts, grouper have managed to survive overfishing – but not by much. While fun to fish, grouper may be hard to find on shorter fishing trips. To up your chances of catching grouper of legal size, head out beyond 30 miles offshore.
Vermillion Snapper – The vermilion snapper is a fall favorite, and makes a great dinner, too. About a third the size of the red snapper, your best chance of filling your bucket with these guys is to use plenty of bait in the water at one time and catch them in a feeding frenzy.
White Marlin – In the last couple years, white marlin fishing has been exceptional in the fall. They have been spotted as close as 32 miles off the shore. Get them while the getting’s good!
Yellowfin Tuna – Fall’s changing weather patterns encourage the yellowfin to move in closer to the shore. An overnight fishing trip is your best bet for catching these highly migratory creatures. Weighing in at 40 to 150 pounds, yellowfin tuna makes for a great source of meat. But it doesn’t keep well, so eat it fresh.
Who can resist a relaxing fishing trip along the coastal byway, especially in our mild fall weather? When’s your next fishing trip along Alabama’s Coastal Connection?
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