Gulf Shores Advice (Aug 6-Sept 18)

[netboy]

3 hours ago, gotmuddy said:

Dont waste your trip.  currently only people with navy credentials can go.

Wow, that is a shame. Security issues???

[gotmuddy]

8 minutes ago, netboy said:

Wow, that is a shame. Security issues???

the excuse they used to shut it down was covid. we are bummed because our kids loved it

[Hawg]

1 hour ago, Flysmallie said:

I love fishing the beach in that area. A 5wt will work and is super fun with ladyfish but it's going to get a workout. You don't have to have reels designed for salt but you do want to take time to wash them out thoroughly with fresh water after each use. 

Anywhere along the beach will have some action as long as you go early and late. And I mean real early. Spoons are what I toss the most because you can cast them a mile. Topwater works too. Don't have to get real technical to catch these fish. Just remember they will be closer to the shore than you think. Just need to find the deep cuts and washouts. 

An early morning drive out to Fort Morgan would be recommended. Almost all the way to the fort you will find a turn off to the south with some road parking. It's a long walk out to the beach from here but it's well worth it. You see way more fish out here than you will in town.  

Thanks, I’m guessing baitfish patterns and poppers? 
 

Yea I’ve made that walk a few times. I like it but because it’s much more wild on the way out to the point but those mosquitoes are brutal if the breeze is slow haha

[Flysmallie]

2 hours ago, Hawg said:

Thanks, I’m guessing baitfish patterns and poppers? 

Yep, it doesn't take much. I usually have a tiny box with a few spoons and one topwater in it. If that doesn't do it then I had a nice walk. Same if I'm carrying a flyrod but now it's just a pocket full of clousers and a gurgler or two. 

[Hawg]

3 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

Yep, it doesn't take much. I usually have a tiny box with a few spoons and one topwater in it. If that doesn't do it then I had a nice walk. Same if I'm carrying a flyrod but now it's just a pocket full of clousers and a gurgler or two. 

Awesome.
 

What would I set up my 5wt with. I only have a floating WF. I guess I should just get a sinking line?

Also I was thinking of trying to catch Mullet or other bait with the fly gear out of the lagoon across the way?

 

 

[MoCarp]

 

[Flysmallie]

15 hours ago, Hawg said:

Awesome.
 

What would I set up my 5wt with. I only have a floating WF. I guess I should just get a sinking line?

Also I was thinking of trying to catch Mullet or other bait with the fly gear out of the lagoon across the way?

 

 

I've always used floating line. Same setup on my 5wt as I use on my 8wt. A strait piece of 15 to 20lb mono about 6ft long attached to a clouser. Carry plenty of these premade leaders in your pocket. Everything there destroys line. I use braid on my spinning gear so it's not an issue with that. 

[Hawg]

On 8/30/2022 at 11:19 AM, Flysmallie said:

I've always used floating line. Same setup on my 5wt as I use on my 8wt. A strait piece of 15 to 20lb mono about 6ft long attached to a clouser. Carry plenty of these premade leaders in your pocket. Everything there destroys line. I use braid on my spinning gear so it's not an issue with that. 

Thanks.

So just a loop on a six foot length attached to the fly line and no need for tapering ?s

Strip like crazy haha?

[Flysmallie]

10 hours ago, Hawg said:

Thanks.

So just a loop on a six foot length attached to the fly line and no need for tapering ?s

Strip like crazy haha?

That’s how I do it. I’ve caught a lot of fish like that. Mostly ladyfish, but I’m never worried about what I catch. And there is nothing more fun than a ladyfish on a 5wt. Pull like crazy, fly through the air, and you are definitely going to know when you get a bite. LOL

All this commotion attracts sharks so make sure you take a good look around before you reach down and grab anything. I’ve had so many encounters that if I have waded out very far, I will drag them all the way to shore before I land anything. 

[Hawg]

Baby Crevalle jack were  everywhere. Stopped counting after 20.