Sep 2008

More on The Wharf's fishing instruction: The great thing is, there are classes for those as young as 6. "School of Fish" teaching children basic baiting and instructions on fishing, plus teaches them to identify the species found in the area. It sounds like a great way to introduce youngsters to the joys of fishing. I remember as a youngster watching my grandfather, an avid fisherman from the northern part of the state, standing on the beach just out of reach of the surf and casting into the waves. (I also remember being shocked when those "funny-looking minnows" he was using turned out to be baby squid!) I have life-long memories made from fishing trips, and I think every child deserves a chance to experience the thrill of catching a fish and releasing it.

Does the thought of salt spray in your face and the back-and-forth rocking of a boat make you feel a little green? There's no need to despair. With its unique combination of the Gulf of Mexico, freshwater lakes and the Intercoastal Waterway, the possibilities for dropping a hook while on visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast are endless. While I was trying to find a nearby spot for to buy live bait, I stumbled across something really interesting. Did you know that at The Wharf, you can take lessons on all sorts of topics related to fishing? You can learn to tie basic knots, then make your own fly-fishing lures. You can learn how to keep your bait fish alive, when to use artificial lures and how to cast properly. With a bit of instruction, you can enjoy both terra firma and the joys of catching a lunker!

A few years back, we took a trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast and opted to stay in Gulf State Park. We had a beautiful cabin, and we could see a lake. We had brought along some fishing gear, so we strolled out to see what we could find. We were stunned to learn that the lake is home to both saltwater and freshwater species. How does that happen? There's an article under the "Fishing" tab at www.thebeachiscalling.org that explains it. Follow the link to "What's Biting" and you'll find the story of the "Mystery Lake." An editor's note explains it this way: "One of the most amazing bodies of water anywhere, Lake Shelby is the closest freshwater lake to salt water. Lake Shelby consists of three spring-fed lakes but also has had an intrusion of saltwater throughout its history. When waves from hurricanes wash over the Alabama Gulf Coast, they often deposit speckled trout, redfish, white trout and flounder into the lake. When the storms subside, and the lake returns to its natural boundaries, Lake Shelby then will home good numbers of both freshwater and saltwater fish." Lots of people book charters to go out into the Gulf in hopes of hooking a monster marlin, but we had a miniature version of that on our trip.

A fishing excursion to the Alabama Gulf Coast can be the adventure of a lifetime. For amateur anglers who have dreamed of catching a real "keeper," the best way to find out when that trophy is likely to be caught is by doing a little research. But where do you start? At www.thebeachiscalling.org, you can click on the "Fishing" tab on the home page, then follow the link in the drop-down menu to "What's Biting?" There you'll find articles from local charter captains and anglers about which species are biting, how deep to fish and which bait to use. The true treasure here, though, is the archived articles. If you want to plan a trip to go after, say, blue marlin, you can look back through the articles to find out when the best chance is to land one. The best travel advice always is "Ask a local." Using this resource, you can plan a visit to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach for just the right time, with expert advice, from the comforts of home.

There's a saying among anglers, particularly when they've had a disappointing excursion: That's why they call it “fishing,” not “catching.” Anybody can have an off-day, that's for sure. After all, fish have the upper fin, so to speak, as they are in their natural environment. But when you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast, there's no need to test uncharted waters. There are scores of expert and experienced fishermen, captains and guides to put anglers on fish of any size, shape or species. The Web site www.thebeachiscalling.org has a tab on its home page, “Fishing.” From the drop-down menu, there's a link to “What's Biting?” This is an archive of articles from all sorts of sources, and it is a treasure trove of details about how, when and where to catch everything from redfish to snapper to tuna to amberjack. If you want to go fishing in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, there's no need to reinvent the wheel(house), just book a trip with a local captain or guide.