Go Fish! Alabama’s Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 7

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Commissioner designates a “Free Fishing Day” for the public to fish recreationally in public waters without a fishing license each year. Commissioner M. Barnett Lawley has designated Saturday, June 7, 2008, as this year’s Free Fishing Day. The law, approved by the Alabama Legislature, allows an annual free day of fishing when residents and non-residents may fish without a fishing license.

“The annual Free Fishing Day is the perfect opportunity for non-anglers to test the fishing waters and to remind former anglers of all the fun they’ve been missing,” said Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Chief of Fisheries Stan Cook. “It’s also a great opportunity for kids to get out and learn how fun and exciting fishing is, plus the day gives families a chance to do something together outdoors.”

According to the law, the usual fishing license requirement – both freshwater and saltwater – is exempt on that day only. However, some lakes or piers may still require fees and permits, and owner’s permission is required to fish private ponds.

Marine Resources Division Director R. Vernon Minton encourages saltwater anglers to cast a line and try their luck on June 7. “This is a great opportunity for people who have never fished in saltwater to see what it’s like,” said Minton. “We also encourage seasoned saltwater anglers to introduce new anglers to the sport.”

Those interested in saltwater fishing may pick up the free Alabama Marine Information Calendar featuring information on moon phases, sunset and sunrise times, Alabama’s artificial reef program, license schedules, fish creel limits, a tidal calendar, and much more. The calendars are available at the two Marine Resources offices located on Dauphin Island, 251-861-2882 and in Gulf Shores, 251-968-7576.

Several events, sponsored by the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division as part of the Community Fishing Program with support from local community partners, are planned around the State as a part of Free Fishing Day, June 7. These special fishing events, held during National Fishing & Boating Week, June 1-8, provide opportunities for families and friends to share fun and quality time together while learning about one of the Nation's favorite pastimes.

Orange Beach Fishing Reports

Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle
Weekly Fishing Report May 28, 2008

Inshore Fishing Report
The inshore fishing throughout the last week has proven to be a little tougher than most residents would care for. However, anglers still ventured out and managed to have some nice catches! With Memorial Day and the enormous number of boaters now gone, look for the fishing to pick back up and return to normal summer fishing! Look for drastic improvements beginning Saturday once the neap tides have ended.

Click here for the complete report.

Offshore Fishing Report
The blue water bite was thoroughly investigated this past weekend during the Memorial Day tournament. 109 boats blasted offshore last Friday night with high hopes of catching that winning fish! Unfortunately their can only be a handful of winners, but this didn't stop anglers from fishing every last second to the fullest of their ability. Mike Rowell aboard the Annie Girl took the tuna division with a 700.8 pound bluefin tuna!

Click here for the complete report.

THANKS AND GOOD FISHIN,
Captain Mo Shaver
Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle, Inc.

Talk about old school! From left to right- Tucker, Brent (Captain Bligh), and Me (Captain Mo Shaver) with a nice catch from Orange Beach dating back about 20 years ago!!

On behalf of Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle I would personally like to thank to all of our valued customers. We would not be here without your loyal support. Please feel free to email any ideas or suggestions that you would like to add to our newsletters. Thanks and Good Fishin!

Captain Mo Shaver
Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle
25637 Canal Road Unit F
Orange Beach, AL 36561
251.974.FISH (3474)
info@mofishin.biz

Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle Weekly Fishing Report

Inshore Fishing Report
The inshore fishery has showed some good signs of improvement over the past week. More reports of good fishing have been coming in from a much broader area. The tides neaped last weekend; causing the bite to be a little tougher to pin point compared to the remainder of last week. Fear not, with strong tides this week and the new moon fishing should be great!

Heavy winds last week kept anglers out of the pass and forced them to fish the interior bays of Orange Beach. This resulted in some nice speckled trout being caught throughout the area! Bayou St. John and the Intracoastal Waterway both proved to be holding specs and the occasional redfish! Live shrimp, Berkley Gulps, and an assortment of MirrOlures all put fish in the boat this past week! Free lining live shrimp or fishing slip corks proved to be the best methods for catching Orange Beach's picky speckled trout! As May rolls on, start looking for pogies at day break around Cotton Bayou for an additional source of live bait. Having a variety of bait this time of the year can make or break you when it comes to fishing for trout and reds!

Perdido Pass has once again accounted for some good fishing over the last week. Anglers reported catching a big variety of fish! Live shrimp produced nice catches of redfish, black drum, pompano, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and more! Flounders were caught on Gulps as well as bull minnows! Look for the flounder bite to pick up the pace over the next few weeks. Concentrate your flounder fishing efforts around high tide when the current isn't super swift! Slowly dragging or bouncing a Berkley Gulp rigged on a ¼ to 3/8 ounce jig head is a deadly combo around the rock jetties and surrounding areas!

Also look for the night fishing to be strong during the next few weeks! The dark moon is in and should have the fish eating heavy on the lights. Use a stealth-like approach to the light you are fishing and bring a variety of baits to help entice picky speckled trout. The lights are typically teaming with small glass minnows and a variety of extremely small bait fish. Be sure to have baits on board that match the size of the baits seen under the lights. Fin-S 2.5" soft plastics and Yo-Zuri's Pins Minnows are a local favorite for night fishing! Just remember, "Match the hatch"!

Offshore Fishing Report
The offshore report is always getting better this time of the year. More boats are blasting offshore each and every day. Local tournaments are producing some big fish in a number of categories. The weather has still been a little unpredictable, but should continue to improve as the month moves by. Paying close attention to the area's weather and extended forecast can play a vital role in a successful offshore trip! Local weather for Orange Beach can be viewed on line by clicking HERE.

The near shore bite is still doing well for anglers in smaller center consoles. Light tackle snapper fishing in Florida water has been producing some quality limits of fish. The Spanish and King mackerel are still moving through the area. Trolling spoons or slow-trolling live and dead baits are great for targeting mackerel. Cobias are being caught on their annual migration as well as to the west around rigs and platforms. Live eels are still readily available. Look for the cobia fishing to last a few more weeks and the mackerel fishing to get better and better from here on out!

Offshore bottom fishing has been improving as well. Snapper are abundant almost everywhere you go! The offshore public pyramids are holding quality snappers for those looking to do some serious catch and release fishing! Deeper natural bottom to the southeast has been producing some nice catches of scamp as well as beeliners and amberjack. Offshore amberjack fishing on rigs and natural bottom has been HOT! Deep dropping produced snowy and yellow-edge grouper last week as well. For more information on deep drop fishing, please contact us at info@mofishin.biz.

The Mars rig provided three blue marlin shots last week from what we hear. That's pretty typical considering what time of the year it is. The blue water fishing has been steadily improving as May presses on! More reports of Yellowfins on the big rigs are coming in. Blackfins apparently are stacked up on these rigs too! Wahoo fishing hasn't picked up too much but should in the next few weeks. Tournaments start at the end of the month, so get ready to head offshore and have some fun!

Thanks and Good Fishin,
Captain Mo Shaver
Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle, Inc.
www.MoFishin.biz

Mo Fishin Bait & Tackle Weekly Fishing Report

by Capt. Mo Shaver

Inshore Fishing Report
The past week proved to be a good one for anglers throughout the area. With the Mullet Toss taking place over the weekend, the waterways and streets of Orange Beach were packed. Strong tides and decent weather offered fishermen a variety of choices to pursue while on the water. Tides will begin to neap by the end of this week, possibly making the fishing a little tougher over the weekend. With slower tides, concentrate your efforts in areas were water will move well.

May is directly around the corner and typically continues to improve the fishery just as the month of April has done. Flounder begin migrating inland through our passes during the upcoming month. Reports of nice flounder poured in over the weekend from the beach area. Double digit catches of these tasty flat fish were proof that the flounder have began to move! Berkley Gulp 3" Swimming Mullet in pink and smoke were the two most effective baits for anglers. As tides slow towards the end of the week, fish Perdido Pass and nearby structure for flounder. Neaping tides will allow you fish areas that normally have to swift of current to fish for flounder. A 3/8 ounce jig head rigged with Gulp is a great combo for fishing the pass.

The inland areas of Orange Beach proved to be getting better and better day by day. Bayou St. John and the north side of Ono are both showing signs of improvement. Night fishing these areas has proven to be worth the effort. Nice trout and redfish are being caught throughout the night on a variety of baits. The Intracoastal Waterway in both Alabama and Florida has proven to be quite fishy at times over the past few weeks during daylight hours! Slip cork fishing and free lining live shrimp have been the ticket for angler's trout fishing these areas. Please stop by and see us for any rigging suggestions or advice on artificial baits.

Cobias are still migrating through our area and some nice fish are being seen and caught. Multiple fish were caught last week that weighed in at over 70 pounds! Live eels are still available. Look for the rigs to the West to begin holding fish over the next few weeks! The weather should get right for cobia fishing on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Another front is expected to pass through the area on Friday and Saturday. Bring your BIG boat for Thursday and Friday as winds are expected to reach 15 to 20 miles per hour.


Offshore Fishing Report
More and more anglers are blasting offshore week by week. Red Snapper season is open in Florida state waters and many are taking advantage of this. Be sure to check all rules and regulations before you venture into Florida water!

As mentioned above, snapper fishing is pretty hot! Reefs within 20 to 30 miles offshore are stacked with Red Snapper. Amberjack are beginning to show in shallower water! The rigs are still holding jacks as well! Natural bottom to the southeast has been responsible for some nice catches of scamp. The Trysler Grounds are still producing vermilion snapper, white snapper, the occasional scamp, and triggerfish! It may take venturing off into deeper water to avoid getting eaten up by red snapper!

The blue water fishing is steadily improving around the big rigs offshore! Two Wahoo were weighed in last week over 90 pounds! Get your high-speed trolling gear ready! Tuna fishing is still good around the deep offshore rigs. Diamond jigging at night has been producing big numbers of blackfins and the occasional yellowfin. Look for the rigs to heat up over the next few weeks leading into the tournament season!

Captain Marty Starling of Mo Fishin Guide Service with Tammy Guess and her daughter, Macayla. The women had a blast catching slot sized redfish on a 4 hour charter! For more information on chartering with Captain Marty, please email us at info@mofishin.biz.