Ask a local angler and they’ll tell you summer isn’t the only time you can reel in a great catch in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Fall and winter fishing along the Alabama Gulf Coast can yield an ice chest full of great seafood.
According to the Alabama Gulf Seafood organization, during the fall and winter months, anglers can reel in amberjack, Spanish mackerel, flounder, mullet, sheepshead, grouper and more. Once you’ve reeled in your catch, there are more than two dozen Gulf Shores and Orange Beach restaurants eager to cook your catch for you. It doesn’t get any fresher than that!
When visitors consider fishing at the beach, charter fishing is often the first thing that comes to mind. With one of the largest charter fishing fleets in the Southeast, you’ll easily find a captain ready to take you out on the water. Inshore and nearshore charters, as well as deep sea fishing trips, are available all year on Alabama’s coast. Depending on the size of your group, you may consider a private charter or a party boat – a shared-expense charter with 15 or more passengers aboard.
If you’re a first-time charter fisherman, watch this video on how to book a charter.
To really get to know the Gulf Shores fishing scene, drop a line at the Gulf State Park pier. Here you’ll find regulars who fish the pier nearly every day. These salty souls are full of fishing information and a few tall tales. The pier is open 24 hours a day. Admission starts at $3; rod and reel rentals are available starting at $10 for a four-hour excursion. Don’t have an Alabama saltwater or pier fishing license? You can purchase one online prior to arrival or at the bait store on the pier.
Check out these scenes from a day at the Gulf State Park pier.
Have kayak, will travel? Then don’t miss out on backbay kayak fishing. The calm waters of Wolf Bay offer great conditions for reeling in dinner. You may even spot a dolphin or two from the resident dolphin pods. Kayak fishing is a quiet way to spend a morning or afternoon. If you don’t own a kayak, rentals are available throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. You can also pre-book your activities online before your arrival or at the welcome centers.
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