Fall is a Favorite Fishing Season for Many
Part of the What's Biting Series
As the calendar turned to fall, it also marked the end of the fishing season for many who enjoy being on the water. Families with school activities and hunters preparing their camps for the upcoming season have many boats on trailers as opposed to the
water. There may not be as many people fishing, but fewer boats certainly doesn't mean less enjoyment for those who are. "It is without a doubt my absolute favorite time of the year to fish," said Captain Chris Garner of High Cotton Charters in Orange Beach. "I love everything about fall fishing.
The fishing is outstanding; everyone appreciates the cooler temperatures, and the fishing pressure is considerably less than in the summer." That reduced fishing pressure is also directly related to another favorite fall activity. No matter how much you love to fish the thought of missing your favorite football game is simply not an option for most fans. Not a problem says Captain Garner, "We have many guests who, like our crew love fishing and football. So we created a tailgate and game day experience on the boat." Garner and his crew mates light the grill in the morning and keep it going all day on the boat. "We put the game on the TV and keep an eye on the lures and the grill. Everyone gets to see the game while fishing. It's a unique game day experience that our customers love.
” Whether you charter a boat or fish out of your own, a fall trolling trip offers chances to catch wahoo, dolphin, blackfin tuna, or even a marlin.
As hot as the white marlin bite got in early August, October and November are consistently great months to catch a marlin off our coast. Recent reports of both white marlin and blue marlin being caught from the nipple down to the spur are within easy reach of a daylong trolling trip.
Trolling is not the only option at this time of the year. As we mentioned a few weeks back, fall is also a great time to catch grouper as well as other in season bottom fish such as beeliners and white snapper. Of course, you can still catch lots of red snapper, but you'll have to release them for another day.
If you prefer, stay a little closer to shore, and you can have a fun filled day of trolling for king mackerel, spanish mackerel, and redfish. Pull the typical king mackerel set-ups of dusters and spoons as well as deep diving plugs. Lots of fall anglers have had a welcome surprise while king mackerel fishing of hooking a wahoo as they move in much closer at during the fall months. Summer may be over, but our fishing season certainly isn't.
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