It’s never too early to plan your first or next trip to Alabama’s beaches. Part of that planning could be trying your luck at the numerous fishing opportunities available on our coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.
Many guests may have visited our area but limited their activities to relaxing by the water and eating delicious seafood. Others may be coming to our sugar-sand beaches for the first time.
Adding fishing to your beach vacation itinerary is easy on our shores. If you’re an experienced angler, just bring along whatever bass fishing or walleye fishing tackle you already have. If you’ve got tackle to handle a big muskie, bring that too. You can take advantage of several kinds of coast fishing with just that kind of tackle with a 12- to 15-pound test line.
Alabama's Beaches are the perfect place to cast your line. Here are some useful tips for your next fishing trip!
If you’re not an avid angler or have never fished the Gulf before, Alabama Beaches is a perfect place to cast your line. When you arrive, I recommend you visit one of our local tackle shops. They are equipped with very knowledgeable salespeople who will outfit you with any tackle you need to target a certain species of fish or do a specific type of coastal fishing. You’ll find all the terminal tackle (hooks, swivels, leader, weights) that you will need, as well as some of the lures proven to catch fish in the Gulf. If you’re going to fish the surf, you’ll need a few rod holders to secure in the sand.
One of the most accessible Gulf of Mexico fishing experiences is surf fishing because some of the most desirable species, whiting and pompano, are within casting distance of the sand. If you have room, bring a variety of rods and reels from 6-foot light action rods to 10-plus-footers to cast heavy weights into deep water. Fish will move into deeper water during low tides, so you’ll need more casting distance. The fish will be closer to the shoreline on an incoming tide, putting them within easy casting distance.
A great spot for first-time anglers in the area will want to try the Gulf State Park Pier. The pier has rods and reels available to rent, as well as a bait shop. In 2020, Hurricane Sally damaged the outer third of the pier, but work is underway to repair the damage. The pier is currently closed due to construction but will be accessible to anglers and sightseers again sometime in 2024.
If you visit the pier or fish the surf, consider a braided line with 30-pound break strength with a fluorocarbon leader for your largest tackle. The leader can sometimes be crucial when the water is clear because the fish can be shy from a straight braided line. For your 7-8-foot rods, try a 15-pound braid or monofilament, which will have more stretch than the braided line and allow for a good fight. Some surf anglers are lucky with light action rods with 8-pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon line. The general rule is that the lighter the line, the more strikes. Those who fish in rivers back home know if you fish on the bottom, you need the proper weights to keep the bait in the strike zone. With the wave action at the beach, the most common weight is shaped like a pyramid and resists being moved by the waves and current. It’s best to match the size of the weight with the conditions, going as light as possible if the weight doesn’t move. Go heavier until you get the desired results.
Again, if you’re uncertain, head to one of the tackle shops, and they will have everything you need to have a successful Gulf of Mexico fishing trip on our beaches.
If you want one of our great captains to put you on fish instead of bringing your tackle to the beach, our area has an abundance of coastal fishing opportunities, inshore and offshore. Depending on the season, you can catch species like speckled trout, redfish, red snapper, amberjack, and triggerfish. On the overnight charters, you will have a chance to hook a yellowfin tuna or wahoo. When you book a Gulf Coast charter fishing excursion, your knowledgeable captain will provide all the necessary equipment and show you the best tactics for hooking a catch while fishing in the Gulf.
Whether you’re new to fishing or a seasoned angler, Alabama Beaches are the perfect destination for fishing the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. From pier, surf, and charter fishing, our area has plenty of opportunities to cast a line.
