Gulf Shores Vacation Fishing Tips Cancel The title field is required!

1. Dustin Riley

   

   8 posts
   
   9/18/2017 2:09 PM

   Good afternoon,
   
   I will be renting a home down in Gulf Shores, AL the last week of December. The rental is located on the little strip of land that separates the Gulf of Mexico and the Little Lagoon.
   
   I like to fish, as do my nephew's ages 10-12. In between some family commitments, we hope to squeeze in some fishing. So I have 2 questions:
   
   Can anyone recommend a family & cost friendly charter? Most likely in-shore. Most likely 4 hour trip for possibly up to 8 persons? Of course we want to catch fish, but something larger than the typical 1# Wisconsin largemouth bass would nice.
   
   We can fish the Little Lagoon from a dock close to our rental (no boat). Or we can also walk 100 yds and surf fish on the gulf side. All of our tackle is light duty and freshwater based. I don't mind picking up a few items, but I don't need to spend $100s creating my very own saltwater tackle box. I will be purchasing a low cost 9' surf rod that'll serve as my freshwater catfish/northern gear. But can I get some advice as to what handful of lures, rigs or live bait we should consider outfitting ourselves with? Or do we just wait and talk to the local bait shops when we get there?
   
   We'd love to catch dinner one day, and then hope to catch as many species and sizes as possible.
   
   i'd appreciate any an all December/January Gulf Shores saltwater/surf fishing advice.
   
   Thanks in advance.

   
   
   
   
2. Heath Puckett

   

   0 posts
   
   9/22/2017 10:09 AM

   I've never tried surf fishing in December, but I've had great luck surf fishing summer/fall in Gulf Shores.
   For smaller species, I'd recommend picking up some pompano rigs and pyramid sinkers. Sand fleas or fresh shrimp are good to use on light tackle. You'll have to catch the sand fleas, and frozen shrimp will work but won't last as long in the surf.
   For bigger fish, I like to use a cast net to catch menhaden, mullet, or if you're lucky a pinfish for live bait. Using a 6/0 circle hook and a 3-4oz pyramid (depending on surf conditions) on a fishfinder rig, you may snag a big bull redfish, blacktip shark, Jack Crevalle, or Spanish mackerel.
   I'd also recommend picking up a sand spike...Good Luck!!

   
   
   
   
3. Dustin Riley

   

   8 posts
   
   9/23/2017 5:09 AM

   Thanks Heath.
   
   I've been searching YouTube for all kinds of tips and hints. Any experience using a popping cork and Gulp shrimp for specs or reds? I was thinking about trying this off the dock in the Little Lagoon or if the surf was calm.

   
   
   
   
4. Dustin Riley

   

   8 posts
   
   1/9/2018 2:01 PM

   Good Afternoon All,
   
   Well, vacation went way too fast. Sadly, the weather in late December was cooler than preferred. That said, even though temps hovered around 50-degrees, it was still 60+ degrees warmer than back home. Thanks to all who provided vacation ideas and fishing advise. AND I was able to do some fishing.
   
   Most reports led me believe and expect poor fishing. Thankfully, it wasn't. We booked a head boat that held about 25. Only about 20 actually fished as several were chumming the seas due to sea sickness. It was rough and rolling, but dramamine was part of our pre-game routine.
   
   We went out 20 miles and caught out of season fish, but didn't care. Red Snapper, Trigger fish, Grouper and others were landed. Our group of 8 had to have landed 30+ fish over the course of 3 hours of fishing.
   
   Another day, I booked a private charter for some in-shore fishing. Another fun day catching Sheepshead, Permit, Blue fish and Mangrove Snapper.
   
   And to cap off the trip, I did some surf fishing and caught a couple whiting and ~34", 15# Redfish!