Golf Shores, AL

[Kevin B]

Hi
I am new to this forum, looking for some advise.

In late Feb and early Mar, we always come down to visit my in-laws in Foley, Al.
I live in Michigan, and am use to fishing lake Michigan, for salmon and trout.
My boat is on the small side, but as long as i watch my days it does fine on big water.
and i have lots of experience and know when to head in.

Anyway i am bring my boat down this year and i would like to fish out on the gulf, Perdido Bay and Mobile Bay. ( i have down riggers and planner boards if needed ? ), i have rods set up for almost any kind of fishing, I also bought a map of the gulf near shore, it goes about 10 miles out and shows depths wreck and reefs, also shows Mobile bay.
If need be ?, I would be vary comfortable running 10 to 15 miles out into the Gulf, if that is what I need to do.
I will be fishing with my father in law, and just want to catch some fish and have fun.

in late Feb and early Mar, what would be the best way to fish and for what ? .

Thanks for any advise you are willing to share.

Kevin

[Kevin B]

This is totally amazing , over 300 people have looked at this thread, But not one person has any advise on how ? or what ? to fish in the Gulf around the 1st of March.

Kevin

[aidne.1]

You seem to be really expert and you did not leave any thing up to us so we could advise you.
I will just say that enjoy the fishing and have a good time .

[Web-editor]

Our forums receive lots of traffic and views, but posters are a bit reluctant to post unless the thread gets going a bit. Let me help!

Late February might be a bit cold for offshore species such as mackerel, cobia to start showing at the nearshore reefs and structure in the northern Gulf. If you can wait until March, they might have moved up the Gulf Coast into the area. An early Spring would help! But I wouldn't count on it. Plus, if winter weather is still around, it roughs up the Gulf waters more than any other time of year.

But the redfish, seatrout, flounder fishing should be turning on inshore. This is shallow water fishing in Mobile and Perdido bays. This is what I would plan on doing. Use light (bass fishing) tackle in this scenario. Use a 20-pound leader tied to jigs, soft plastics or plugs. Or, get live shrimp for bait (if you can find it).

Local info is the best for finding fish, but you should be able to pick up a map of inshore spots when you get into town. Or head out on the water looking for structure such as oysters, drop offs, dock pilings, and other fishy looking structure. Also, fish current edges where inshore gamefish have a chance to hide out.

A couple articles that are right up your alley:

-Techniques for catching redfish in Alabama: http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/gu...ish-techniques

-Orange Beach Alabama experiences big-time redfishing in colder months:http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/or...g-bull-redfish

-Trout fishing can be hot at Gulf Shores: http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/sp.../gator-country

Oh, and leave the planers boards for salmon up north. You could bring downriggers for kingfish that are hanging in the deeper waters off the coast, but I don't think it would be necessary. They'll hit baits at the top of the water column, no problem.

Good luck!