Red Snapper and So Much More
By: Captain Don McPherson
Fishing attracts many kinds of people for many different reasons. Here in Orange Beach, Alabama, we are very fortunate to have a variety of fish. Orange Beach is recognized all over the world for the popularity of the red snapper. Most everyone enjoys fishing for red snapper regardless of the size of the fish. As captain and owner of the Getaway, fishing over 12 years on the waters off the Alabama Gulf Coast, I have seen many smiling faces on the back deck as all kinds of fish in many different sizes have come aboard. Regardless of the size or species of the fish, everyone enjoys the feel of the rod bending and the drag slipping. After all, fishing is a sport. Fishing is also for all ages. There is nothing more rewarding than to watch a family fishing together as they help each other and cheer one another on. This is also true with any group, whether it is a group of serious anglers or a group on the water for just fun and relaxation. I always encourage taking plenty of pictures on your fishing trip. The memories along with the pictures linger for many years after the fish are released or enjoyed for dinner.
Fishing is not always predictable. An example of one of those very unpredictable days occurred last summer. We had a full day trip scheduled on the Getaway. When I arrived at the boat, everyone was waiting on the dock with a look of excitement on their faces. Everyone boarded the boat and I presented a safety orientation and our fishing plan for the day. Gill, our deckhand, untied the lines and we were off and running. It was a typical morning as we saw some dolphins swimming and playing near the boat which gave some photo opportunities. We moved on and later stopped and everyone participated as we caught some live bait. It is fun to watch everyone catching bait fish on very light tackle. This is the first pull of the rod as the day begins. Catching bait can actually be fun on very light tackle. After a few minutes, we were off and running again for over a two hour ride.
I asked for everyone�s favorite music as I dialed in the satellite stereo radio, and the music came alive on the back deck and on the inside. After a short time, the music was interrupted by the line screaming off one of the reels. I slowed down to an idle speed and our first fish was on the boat. Gill took one swing with the gaff and a nice king mackerel was in the boat. With a little celebrating on the back deck, we were on our way again. We finally arrived at our first bottomfishing spot of the day. Everyone had bait in the water and within a couple of minutes, I saw vermillion snapper, red snapper and triggerfish coming in the boat. We were off to a good start. We then moved to the next spot and everyone had their lines in the water again. I looked to the starboard side of the boat and saw an angler fighting a fish that was swimming in circles and appeared to be a big bonita. After a few minutes, the fish appeared and it was a big blackfin tuna. We were all celebrating since we knew this tuna was definitely a bonus fish on a full day bottomfishing trip. I had no longer turned around as I heard some more excitement on the back deck. I saw an angler holding a spinning rod as the line peeled off quickly. Gill shouted, �Sailfish, sailfish.� I couldn�t believe it. We were on a bottomfishing trip and were not far enough offshore to normally catch tuna, much less a sailfish. A predictable day ? No way !
We all watched as this sailfish jumped and tailwalked across the water. It was an awesome sight. This fish was hooked on light tackle, and we knew it could break at any time. Gill adjusted the drag on the reel several times with hopes that we would get this fish to the boat for a nice photo shot. After a long battle with my maneuvering of the boat and the angler fighting the fish cautiously, we had the fish alongside the boat. We got several nice photo shots and it was over. The big sailfish broke the light line just as he was pulled alongside the boat. The line was fine for a big mackerel but not for an unexpected sailfish. Gill and I both believe this would have been a state record. It was probably between 80 and 90 pounds. I had been in Costa Rica only six months prior and had a good comparison of size on big sailfish. Wow! What an experience on a full day bottomfishing trip. We trolled for a short time in the area with no luck and moved on for some more bottomfishing. We ended the day with vermillion snapper, red snapper, triggerfish, grouper, a big blackfin tuna and release of a big sailfish. Remember, we were not on an offshore big game trolling trip. However, it was an awesome day. As many of you know, fishing really can be very unpredictable. I know there are many other stories and I am sure many of you can top this one. However, I just wanted to share this one with you.
Many people who only want a half day on the water may enjoy trolling for spanish mackerel, king mackerel, bonita or redfish. Red snapper are often caught on half day trips. This can be a very relaxing fishing trip as everyone waits on the big bite, while cruising along the beautiful white beaches of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama. You will usually see dolphins swim around the boat as you enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful waters of the Gulf. This is great family fun and can be a treat for most adults.
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama fishing has so much more. How about triggerfish, vermilion snapper, white snapper, black snapper, lane snapper, amberjack, red grouper, gag grouper, warsaw grouper and scamp. Not a bad variety of fish. These fish can be caught bottomfishing and you usually need a full day trip to target most of these species.
How about some sportfishing ? Have you ever had a 50 plus pound wahoo on the end of your trolling line with the reel screaming and the line racing off your reel ? There is always excitement on the boat when I hear my deckhand shout �Fish on, fish on.� After a good long fight which may take some team effort from your fishing party, the big wahoo finally comes aboard. A big king mackerel can also give you a battle. Both of these fish can be caught trolling offshore but sometimes closer to shore. Casting into a school of bait or near a bed of floating grass is another option. Floating grass is also a great area to hook into a school of dolphin. Dolphin are also known as mahi mahi or dorado. They are beautiful as they change colors of blue, green and yellow jumping and flipping out of the water. These fish can weigh from a couple of pounds to well over 30 pounds. There is always a chance to catch a white marlin, blue marlin or a sailfish on an offshore big game trolling trip. These larger big game fish are certainly not caught everyday. However, if you have patience and enjoy being on the water, then you may be surprised with your anticipation as you wait on one of these billfish to take the trolling lure and give you an experience of a lifetime. These fish can sometimes be caught on full day trips. You must understand that this is big game fishing and it is much like big game hunting. It may or may not be your day. The more times you go, then the greater chance you have of landing a blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, white marlin or a big blue marlin. There are also other options. Some charter boats offer two day trips. Tuna fishing is usually better at the offshore oil and gas platforms. Tuna trips are usually a minimum of 18 hour and are often 24, 36 or 48 hour trips to the offshore rigs. However, tuna can sometimes be caught in open water on a full day trip. There are all sizes of charter boats that can accommodate from 4 anglers to well over 10 anglers on these extended offshore trips. The offshore big game trolling trips can also be combined with some minimum bottomfishing. However, with bottomfishing, you sacrifice some of your valuable big game trolling time.
You do not have to travel to Mexico or Costa Rica to catch these fish. They can all be caught right here out of Orange Beach, Alabama. I am owner and Captain of the charter boat, Getaway, out of Orange Beach, Alabama. We specialize in groups of up to six people for family fun and fishing or the serious full day fishing trips offshore. We enjoy bottomfishing for a wide variety of fish and always ready to travel offshore on a full day big game trolling trip. Remember, whether you have a small group of friends, a family or a large corporate group, there is always a charterboat just for you and your group right here in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Captain Don McPherson
Getaway Charters
| | |
