Thread: Need some advice on Orange Beach and Gulf Shores fishing.

Retired guy in Alabama for a few months. Have a 12 Foot boat that is pretty sea worthy with a four horse. Looking to do some inland saltwater fishing. Any places you can point me too? What should I be fishing for and any advice on techniques. Sorry for the newbie questions but your advice would be greatly appreciated. If anybody else has a bigger boat and is looking for a fishing partner to share expenses I would be in for that. Thanks!

12 foot boat with a four horse you need to be fishing up the rivers & creeks for speckled trout. They start moving up the rivers as the weather cools. Don't know if they've started yet, but it should not be long.

Live shrimp under a cork, or jigs and plastic bodies for bait. They'll get you set up at J&M.

Good sport and good eating.

They are pretty thick in Fish river right now, and your rig would be great for that. I have been using DOA under a popping cork and having pretty good luck with reds and specks.

Wolf Creek and Graham Creek areas too.

What kind of hull is it?

Originally Posted by CarlF

Wolf Creek and Graham Creek areas too.

What kind of hull is it?

Great question and of paramount importance.

A modified V-hull with self-draining scuppers (preferably ABOVE the waterline aft) = little to no concern (for truly "IN-SHORE").

A jon-boat . . . I'd be concerned going out (and back into) any cut (maybe do Dixey Bar, but only on a blue-bird day and with another boat).

Either way, make absolutely sure bilge pumps are working, and fittings are water tight.

Finally, your competence and confidence will (and should) determine whether you put any boat on any body of water. If you're unsure or concerned; don't do it. It's a cliche, but true: when things go bad, panic does the killing. By no means am I an advocate of "staying on the couch." I've taken plenty of risks in small boats; only way to gain experience is by extending one's efforts. But prudence pays.

It is a 12 foot porta boat. Made of plastic. It rolls over waves pretty well. I have had it on some big water (Mississippi, Lake Michigan) and it does fine on days when the wind is under 12 mph. It can take a pretty big boat wake if it isn't coming over the back. I have spent hundreds of hours in it. Anyway, thanks to all! Where would be a good place to launch on Fish River? Same with Wolf Creek and Graham Creek? Thanks again fellas!

Originally Posted by chopper72

Same with Wolf Creek and Graham Creek? Thanks again fellas!

You can launch where to old wolf bay lodge restaurant used to be to get into wolf bay and follow around the bend to the right into wolf creek. For fish river head From Foley, head west on Hwy 98 toward Magnolia Springs. Go over Weeks Bay Bridge. At the end of the bridge hang a right. The little road will lead you right to the boat ramp parking area.

Thank you Perdidohunter!

Any other places to try would be appreciated? Is the Little Lagoon or Bon Secouer River good places? Any tips for those?

The fishing on the Bon Secour is really good during the spring and fall for speckled trout and redfish. Flounder can be found here almost year round. During early winter, the sheepshead bite is on fire!!! I would add that the bottom of the river is littered with tons of debris that can snag you and eat up your lower unit so be careful.