Tough Bank Fishing

[Fishinokie1]

I live in McGuffey, so we are practically neighbors.

I will definitely be in touch.

Sounds good

[watermen]

I was down in Fort Morgan 3 times last winter, nice area. We were doing water survey work for the oil companies and after work we fished the edge of the channel just south of the boat launch about a half mile from the pier next to the launch. We caught lots of reds on the march trip and again last month. One of the local kids told us about it, they travel up the bay along the channel. All you need is a skiff, Also the local shrimp dredger launches at fort morgan twice a day catching live shrimp, not a friendly guy but if you see him he will sell you a bucket full for 5 bucks. Little white glass boat with dooors and nets. All you need is a skiff to get to the channel, it's close to the beach there. Fun place, due to work that's all the time we had in the evenings.

[Fishinokie1]

I was down in Fort Morgan 3 times last winter, nice area. We were doing water survey work for the oil companies and after work we fished the edge of the channel just south of the boat launch about a half mile from the pier next to the launch. We caught lots of reds on the march trip and again last month. One of the local kids told us about it, they travel up the bay along the channel. All you need is a skiff, Also the local shrimp dredger launches at fort morgan twice a day catching live shrimp, not a friendly guy but if you see him he will sell you a bucket full for 5 bucks. Little white glass boat with dooors and nets. All you need is a skiff to get to the channel, it's close to the beach there. Fun place, due to work that's all the time we had in the evenings.

I think it would be hard working when you have all that clear blue water calling your name. Those reds are a lot of fun!

[OzarkFishman]

Here is what I have for my trip:

Bought 2 saltwater Penn Fierce (5000) reels from the outlet at Bass Pro. Originally $70, picked them up for $45 each.

I am going to pair one of the reels with a medium-heavy catfish pole for casting a Carolina rig with plastics or cut bait/shrimp. Spooled up with 20# P-Line Floroclear.

The other is spooled with 30# power pro and is attached to an 8'6" pole. This is the rod that will have the pyramid weight on it. Let me make sure I have this right ... I will attach a swivel 3 or 4 feet up from the weight and another one about 2 feet up from the weight. Then, I will add my dropper lines to the swivels (between 6 and 18 inches). If toothy fish start biting, I bought 6 and 18 inch wire leaders. Finally, I will attach 5/0 or 7/0 circle hooks with cut bait or shrimp.

Does that sound like a good set up?

Should I worry about a leader with the braid OR will the drop lines serve as my leader?

I will take a 3rd cheap freshwater reel that will probably bind up on me by the weeks end and end up in the trash. This will have 10 pound mono to catch bait. Do swimming minnows and crappie jigs work for the bait fish in the ocean?

I know fishing is about gaining experience and knowledge on the water, but with only a week to fish I will try to learn as much as possible before I get there.

Thanks again for any info shared and I will be shooting a PM to some of you when my trip gets closer (July 23 - 30th).

OzarkFishman

[Fishinokie1]

Sounds like you are ready to go. One thing I use is a leader that is pre-rigged with swivels. Put your pyramid on one and your circle hooks on the other two. The come in wire and in heavy mono. The wire tends to kink throughout time. You can buy these almost everywhere down there. The grocery stores usually have a fishing section where you can pick these up for a couple of bucks. One last thing..... clean your reals after each trip down to the beach. I take some Real Butter with me. Rinse out all the sand and salt and re-oil each time. I killed a couple of reals the first time I went because I did not get the sand out. Even if your rod does not touch the sand, it is in the air and will get into your gear. If you catch some rampano, clean them like a white bass, cut out the dark blood line and throw them on the grill!! Very white meat!

U lucky dog! I am jealous!

Attached a picture of my little one with her first pampano.

[OzarkFishman]

Thanks again, Fishinokie1. Your advice is priceless.

I will get a hold of you once summer school lets out and maybe we can meet up and do a little fishing while we talk about ocean fishing. What are the main fish that I will be catching? I would like to research them, so that I know how to handle them and know whether they a good on the grill.

Have a good one,

OzarkFishman

PS - I didn't even plan on fishing when this trip was booked. Did a little research and found that I am going to the perfect storm for pier and surf fishing. So, yes ... I am a lucky dog

[Fishinokie1]

Thanks again, Fishinokie1. Your advice is priceless.

I will get a hold of you once summer school lets out and maybe we can meet up and do a little fishing while we talk about ocean fishing. What are the main fish that I will be catching? I would like to research them, so that I know how to handle them and know whether they a good on the grill.

Have a good one,

OzarkFishman

PS - I didn't even plan on fishing when this trip was booked. Did a little research and found that I am going to the perfect storm for pier and surf fishing. So, yes ... I am a lucky dog

The main beach fish are pampano, trout, whiting, and redfish. You might catch a flounder or two and you will more than likely catch some stingrays and small sharks. Realing in a stingray is like dragging in a truck! To get your hook out, flip them over on their back and use your rod to hold down their tail. Just give me a shout.

[Trout Commander]

That pier at Orange beach is awesome. You can see bait balls and all kinds of big fish cruising. To catch the bait fish just fish straight down over the edge up against the verticals. We went several years consecutively but doesn't look like we will be going this year.

[Flysmallie]

We went several years consecutively but doesn't look like we will be going this year.

quitter