Quickly, get on the phone and book a charter boat to fish during the first 24 days of August this year. Not only can you catch Alabama’s signature saltwater fish, red snapper, but the season for hard-fighting amberjack and tasty gray triggerfish will also be open.
Unfortunately, the window is short to catch all three. Amberjack and red snapper seasons only run through August 24. Fortunately, triggerfish season continues for the rest of the year if the projected quota is not met.
One of the hardest-fighting species in the Gulf, AJs like structures with vertical relief, like large wrecks or petroleum platforms. Don’t skimp on the tackle for amberjack because they will test your tackle and endurance. Stick with at least a 50-pound or heavier test line to be able to put enough pressure on the fish to keep it out from the structure and the razor-sharp barnacles. If you have trouble keeping the AJs from getting back into the structure, move up in tackle size with 80- to 130-pound test line
Unlike red snapper and triggerfish, amberjack usually circle the structure well off the bottom, so don’t drop your bait all the way to the bottom.
After August 24, plan to head out to catch various reef fish, including triggerfish and vermilion snapper (beeliners). The triggerfish limit is one person with a minimum fork length of 15 inches. The great thing about beeliners is they make delicious table fare, and the daily bag limit is 10 per angler with a minimum total length of 10 inches. No, vermilion snapper don’t get nearly as large as red snapper, but a decent beeliner yields a perfect size fillet for a single serving at dinner.
Of course, when you’re fishing for triggers and beeliners, you’ll need to downsize the tackle and hook sizes. Cut squid is a great bait for triggerfish because it is tough, and it’s hard for the nibbling triggerfish to steal your bait.
Like I said early, time is of the essence if you want to catch amberjack, red snapper and gray triggerfish on the same trip. Book a trip today and enjoy this Gulf fishing bonanza.
Plan your fishing trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and book a place to stay today!