Skip to main content
  • Visitors
  • Meetings
  • Sports
Visitors
  • All Places to Stay
    • Beach Houses
    • Condos
    • Resorts
    • Hotels
    • Cabins
    • RV Parks & Camping
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    Gulf Shores Beach
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Luxury RV Resort Gulf Shores
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Sportscation
  • All Things to Do
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding & Foil Boarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Fat Daddy's Arcade Gulf Shores
    25 Rainy-Day Activities
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
  • All Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    • Snowbird Events
    Fall in Orange Beach
    Holiday Events
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
  • All Restaurants
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    Best Fine Dining Restaurants
    Papa Rocco's Gulf Shores
    12 Restaurants Locals Love On Alabama’s Beaches
    Voyagers Restaurant Orange Beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
  • All Planning Tools
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Guides
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Family Vacations
    • Couples Getaway
    • Beach Safety
    • Weather
    • Getting Here
    • Welcome Centers
    • Photographers
    Family Vacation Gulf Shores
    10 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities
  • All Blogs
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Bike Share Program Gulf State Park
    10 Cheap & Free Things To Do
    Paddle boarding Orange Beach
    11 Things to Do with Teens
    The Track Bumper Boats Gulf Shores
    Thrilling Amusement Parks in Gulf Shores Orange Beach
  • Deals
    All Deals
Visitors
  • All Places to Stay
    • Beach Houses
    • Condos
    • Resorts
    • Hotels
    • Cabins
    • RV Parks & Camping
    • Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    Gulf Shores Beach
    Should You Stay in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach?
    Luxury RV Resort Gulf Shores
    The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds
    Children at Waterville USA in Gulf Shores
    How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Sportscation
  • All Things to Do
    • Beaches
    • Attractions
      • Arts & Culture
      • Coastal Crafters
      • History & Museums
      • Indoor Activities
      • Popular Attractions
      • All Attractions
    • Amusements & Entertainment
      • Mini Golf
      • All Amusements & Entertainment
    • Fishing
      • Fishing Seasons
      • All Fishing
    • Outdoor Activities
      • Back Bay Blueway
      • Biking
      • Birding
      • Gulf State Park
      • Hiking
      • Nature & Parks
      • Shelling
      • Tours
      • Trails
      • All Outdoor Activities
    • Water Activities
      • Boating
      • Diving
      • Equipment Rentals & Outfitters
      • Jet Skiing
      • Kayaking
      • Marinas
      • Paddleboarding & Foil Boarding
      • Parasailing
      • Sailing
      • Snorkeling
      • Dolphin Cruises
      • Cruises
      • All Water Activities
    • Shopping
    • Golf
    • Nightlife & Bars
    • Signature Experiences
    Fat Daddy's Arcade Gulf Shores
    25 Rainy-Day Activities
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities
    Dad and kids hunting crabs on Alabama's beaches
    Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast
  • All Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • Community Events
    • Concerts
    • Events Calendar
    • Holiday Events
    • Live Music
    • Snowbird Events
    Fall in Orange Beach
    Holiday Events
    Blue Angels
    Blue Angels
    Live Music
    Live Local Music
  • All Restaurants
    • Fan Favorites
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Food Trails
    • Recipes
    • Seafood
    Perch at The Lodge
    Best Fine Dining Restaurants
    Papa Rocco's Gulf Shores
    12 Restaurants Locals Love On Alabama’s Beaches
    Voyagers Restaurant Orange Beach
    4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night
  • All Planning Tools
    • Order a Vacation Guide
      • Order a Printed Guide & Brochures
      • View e-Guide
      • All Guides
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
      • Destination Newsletter
      • Fishing Newsletter
      • Golf Newsletter
      • All eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Family Vacations
    • Couples Getaway
    • Beach Safety
    • Weather
    • Getting Here
    • Welcome Centers
    • Photographers
    Family Vacation Gulf Shores
    10 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    10 Fun Family Activities
  • All Blogs
    • 10 Family Activities
    • 14 Public Beaches
    • 21 Rainy Day Activities
    • 5 Things I Learned From My Vacation
    • 8 Things to Know Before Your Vacation
    Bike Share Program Gulf State Park
    10 Cheap & Free Things To Do
    Paddle boarding Orange Beach
    11 Things to Do with Teens
    The Track Bumper Boats Gulf Shores
    Thrilling Amusement Parks in Gulf Shores Orange Beach
  • Deals
    All Deals
Meetings
  • Home
    All Home
    • Plan Your Conference
    • How Can We Help
    • Why Our Beach
    • Services
    • FAQs
    • Getting Here
    • Restaurants
    • Things to Do
    • Calendar of Events
    Meeting in Gulf Shores
    Five Tips to Becoming a Confident Speaker
    beach bag, gulf shores
    How to Pack for a Meeting at the Beach
    The Hangout Gulf Shores
    Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions for Your Next Workcation
    All Plan Your Conference
    • All Meeting Spaces
    • Unique Meeting Spaces
    • Accommodations
    Meetings and conventions on Alabama's beaches
    5 Unique Meeting Spaces at the Beach
    Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
    Non-Traditional Meeting Spaces on Alabama’s Gulf Coast
    Meeting at The Lodge
    Which Social Media Networks Help Meeting Planners the Most
    All Meeting Spaces
  • Reunions & Weddings
    All Reunions & Weddings
    • Meeting Planner Toolkit
    Gulf State Park Orange Beach
    3 Meeting Tips To Make Your Next Gulf Coast Meeting a Success
    Hashtag Events Happening in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
    5 Ways Social Media Can Help Meeting Planners Communicate & Educate Attendees
    Meeting Ballroom on Alabama's Beaches
    How to Increase Attendance at Your Next Conference
    All Toolkit
    • Connect With Us
    • Submit RFP
    • Subscribe Today
    Woman relaxing on the beach in Alabama
    Tips for Maintaining a Work-Life Balance as a Meeting Professional
    AmyPeralta
    “From the Desk of…”: Q&A with Sales Manager Amy Peralta
    MaryStatkewicz
    “From the Desk of…”: Q&A with Meetings Sales Manager Mary Statkewicz
    All Contact Us
  • Stories
    All Stories
Sports
    • All Events
    • Book Lodging
    • Perfect Game World Series
    • Gulf Shores High School
    • Beach Races
    • Orange Beach High School
    Family Lodging Gulf Shores
    Budget-Friendly Planning Tips for Sports Parents
    The Hangout Gulf Shores
    4 Spots to Fuel Up for the Game
    Teens playing on Alabama's beaches
    What to Pack for Your Sportcation?
    All Events & Special Rates
    • All Restaurant Sponsors
    • On-the-Go Dining
    Grab n go Gulf Shores AL
    On the Go Dining
    Orange Beach, Lunching For Less - Teaser
    Budget-Friendly Meals for the Whole Team in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    Crab claws at Pink Pony in Gulf Shores, AL
    Places to Grab the Best Crab Claws on Alabama's Beaches
    All Restaurants
    • All Attraction Sponsors
    The Hangout Gulf Shores
    7 Quirky, Must-Visit Places in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    The Factory Trampoline Park
    5 Action-Packed Activities Along Alabama’s Gulf Coast
    The Hangout Gulf Shores
    What to Do When Your Tournament is Rained Out
    All Attractions
  • Business Sponsors
    All Business Sponsors
  • Facilities
    All Facilities
    • Facility Info
    • Leisure Events
    • Our Services
    • Planner Toolkit
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    • Future Sports Tourism Development
    Baseball player
    Get to Know the Beach's Best Sports Facilities
    Man running a race
    Event Planner Resources for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    NCAA Softball Gulf Shores
    Start Planning Your Sportscation to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
    All Bring Your Event
  • Sponsors
    All Sponsors
  • Blog
    All Blog

Jack Crevalle Proves Plate-worthy

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

October 10, 2018

“Any day now.” That seems to be the common answer from those in the know like Blake Michaleski at J & M Tackle as to when the much-anticipated white marlin bite will happen. I have written before that this is the best time of the year to check ‘catching a marlin’ off your fishing bucket list.

Every season is different, but usually, from as early as the beginning of August until as late as November, white marlin make an appearance just thirty-miles or even closer from Perdido Pass.  Each year, anglers are given a chance to catch a billfish without having to make runs of eighty-plus miles to the deep water oil rigs.

When the ‘whiteys’ do show up, they can be found at the usual offshore spots such as ‘The Nipple,’ ‘The 131 Hole’ and ‘The Elbow’ and all points in between. If you aren’t familiar with these fishing hot spots, they are all listed on offshore maps. As you approach ‘The Nipple’ which sits atop the 100-fathom curve keep an eye on your GPS and you will see the water depth begin to drop quickly from 200-feet to 600 feet. That’s where you want to be!

I like to put out the lines as I approach 300-feet of water, but I have caught marlin as shallow as 250 feet, or as soon as I start to see concentrated bait, usually in the form of flying fish. Be on the lookout for a water color change from green to either ‘clean green’ (you will notice the difference) ‘blended blue’ or when it all lines up perfectly, beautiful cobalt blue water.

For the past couple of weeks, the water has not been what most of us would call ‘pretty’ at the close-in marlin trolling grounds. It’s been ranging from dirty green to clean green, but the area has been loaded with bait, which is a critical component when searching for billfish. Last Thursday, my friend Frank Lott was fishing out there on the local boat 2 x 4. “The water wasn’t all that pretty, but there were more boats than I have seen out there in recent years. Once we located the bait that’s when our action started,” said Lott.

Frank and his crew didn’t catch any white marlin, but they did catch two sailfish and missed a third. All three bites came within an hour and fifteen minutes which is a typical pattern once you find the fish. The action can be almost non-stop. They also caught two yellowfin tuna on the day trip, which started with a 4:30 AM departure from Orange Beach and they were back at the dock at 3:45 that afternoon. Not a bad day of big game fishing! Sailfish and white marlin travel in the same water conditions as well as potentially blue marlin, wahoo, tuna and dolphin. You never know what you will catch when pulling lures and ballyhoo targeting pelagic fish.

‘The Nipple’ is my absolute favorite place to fish in the Gulf of Mexico in our 26′ center console boat for so many reasons. The first is the short run. Once you clear the pass, you can be fishing in an hour or even less depending on how fast your boat runs. The other reason why I love being out there so much is it allows us ‘small boat guys’ the chance to catch species of big game fish that most of the year is only afforded to those with big sportfishing boats.

Some years we have a ‘decent’ white marlin bite and other years it is phenomenal. When we have a great year, the fish seem to just ‘show up overnight’. There will be reports of a few fish being caught each week and then someone will have an epic day when they catch five or even ten white marlin in one trip. Once that happens word will spread very quickly. I have counted as many as fifty boats fishing around ‘The Nipple’ and hopefully, that will be the case again “Any day now.”

Fishing Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL

Icon of a hotel
Find Your Perfect Place to Stay
Places to Stay Search Lodging Options
icon of a guide
Where Your Journey Begins
Order a Free Vacation Guide Order a Free Vacation Guide
Email icon
News from the Coast
Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter Subscribe to Our Enewsletter

Share This

You May Also Like

See All Blog Posts
Boating in Perdido Pass Orange Beach

Stay Smart Off-Shore with Boating Safety

Southern Charm Fishing Charter Orange Beach

Book a Charter to Catch Amberjack, Snapper, & Triggerfish

Fishing Charter Orange Beach

Discover Endless Fishing Opportunities on Alabama’s Beaches

Little Lagoon Pass Park

Try Little Lagoon for a Day of Fun Fishing

Billfish Classic 2023

Record-Setting Marlin Caught During OB Billfish Classic

Gulf State Park Pier

Everything You Need to Know About the Gulf State Park Pier

Order a Vacation Guide Subscribe to our Enewsletter
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism Logo
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Tik-Tok
  • Trip Ideas
  • Press
  • Partners
  • Responsible Tourism
  • 1-800-745-SAND
  • [email protected]
  • Privacy Policy
  • Employment Opportunities
Copyright 2023 Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. All rights reserved.
  • Subscribe to Enews
  • Vacation Guide
  • Chat With Us