Tough Bank Fishing

[Fishinokie1]

I went out last week to Fellows without doing my homework first. This is the time of year you can get out there early and load up on the whites hitting the shad on the banks. So I get into my truck at 3:30 am to go to my favorite early morning spot on the culvert..... yup.... it is under about 3' of water. Said a few "kind" words, got back into my truck and went to find a good cup of coffee and some breakfast. There are not many choices out there for a fella at 3:30 - 4:00 am to get a good meal out in the sticks around Fellows lake. Oh well, that is what I get for not checking it out ahead of time. It was that or stay home and help get the kids up and ready for school.

[OzarkFishman]

Since you didn't get to fish, maybe you can help me out with some knowledge and get your fishing fix anyway (I see that you like to shore fish for sharks).

I plan on going to Gulf Shores this summer (end of July). It is a family trip, but I will have a car and plan on doing some shore fishing for saltwater species (I don't care what kind of fish, I just want to feel the line tighten). The plan is to buy a saltwater spinning reel and use a medium-heaving 7' rod.

Warning: I ask a lot of questions.

1) I was planning on spooling up with hi-vis yellow power pro, then tying on a flourocarbon leader. What pound test would you reccommend for the braid? How about for the leader?

2) When bait fishing: What bait should be used? Would you use a normal bait set-up with a sliding weight and swivel? Have you ever had luck with the gulp products for salt-water species? If the gulp stuff works, then that will help the bait finding proccess.

2a) Would you just cast out the bait and let it sit OR slowing drag the bait in?

3)When lure fishing: Big in-line spinners, big swimbaits, big plugs ... is that about right?

I have more questions, but if you could answer any of these questions I would appreciate it greatly. I know I have hijacked your thread and for that I apologize, but I saw the opportunity to ask someone with knowledge and pounced.

Have a good day,

OzarkFishman

[Flysmallie]

OF, there are lots of good places to fish around Gulf Shores. You have the beach, the pier, Perdido Pass. The beach out at Fort Morgan is good early in the morning. Long drive but worth it.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Can't beat srimps in the surf any where in FLA.

Johnson spoons in gold or silver work pretty wll too.

Saw a guy catch a pretty good shark in the bay behind Captive Island on a BBQ'd chicken leg.

SIO3

[OzarkFishman]

I will PM you guys with more specific questions/directions. I have been to Destin/Panama City, but never to Gulf Shores.

When you say shrimp: Do you mean live, fresh OR frozen?

Thanks for the replies.

OzarkFishman

[snagged in outlet 3]

Frozen.

[Fishinokie1]

I have been fishing down there for the past 6 years and before that out in South Carolina around Kiawah Island. I have used everything from cut pieces of squid, sand fleas, and shrimp. Live shrimp works great, but is expensive. The past few years my budget was tighter so I would go to Wal Mart and buy frozen medium size shrimp. Don't buy them in the fishing department, go over in the grocery aisle and buy the peel and eat kind. I have caught everything from bull reds, spec. trout, pompano, sharks and stingrays. I use two different rigs. I take along my 10' surf rod rigged with 30lb mono and a 7' spinning rod with 15lb mono. Depending on the surf you could use a 1oz to 3oz pyramid weight and circle hooks.

If you want to zap me an email at dj_thoma@comcast.net.

If you live close I have a pvc sand rod holder you can take with you. They don't cost much, but why buy one if you don't have to.

They opened the new pier in Gulf Shores. It costs around $5 to get on and fish. I buy the 5 day license. Very reasonable. Therr is a huge fine for bringing in sharks up onto the pier also.

[OzarkFishman]

I will definitely shoot you an email, I live close to Lamberts. Thanks for the info.

Do you ever do any night-fishing there OR do you stick with day time fishing?

Are 7/0 good for the circle hooks? Should I use a metal leader for the toothy fish?

[Fishinokie1]

I will definitely shoot you an email, I live close to Lamberts. Thanks for the info.

Do you ever do any night-fishing there OR do you stick with day time fishing?

Are 7/0 good for the circle hooks? Should I use a metal leader for the toothy fish?

If I fish from the pier, I go and pull an all nighter. The pier in Gulf Shores holds a ton of fish. I used a small crappie rig to catch these bait fish called LY's or poggies. They are like a saltwater shad. For some reason, the big red fish like the heads of these things. I was out on the pier last May and a guy I was fishing with caught a 41" bull red using a LY head. There is a picture at the check in gate of a guy who actually caught a sail fish off the pier..... If you fish off this, about 100 yards off the end to the left there is a man made reef that holds everything from snapper to drum. If I am fishing the surf, I would get up around 5 and fish until the beaches started to get crowded, then I would go back as the sun started to set. The are we stay at is down on the Eastern end of Orange Beach, but still gets crowded. I am still a novice even though I have been doing it for years. I believe there is always more to learn when talking about fishing. I live off NN behind Lamberts as well. I live in Turnberry Estates off 13th st. Zap me an email or give me a shout. 417-827-5673 I work crazy hours and leave my phone in my office most of the time, but leave me a message.

Doug

[OzarkFishman]

I live in McGuffey, so we are practically neighbors.

I will definitely be in touch.