Usually September signals the end of another long and hot summer along the Gulf Shores beaches and a return of better fishing as the water temperatures begin to decline some. The days are noticeably shorter as we approach the equinox and usually not nearly as hot or wet as in the preceding months. As long as tropical activity doesnât affect our area or we experience only weaker systems, fishing is often good. This is especially true later in the month when fish start to more actively feed in shallow waters accessible to pier and shore anglers. A variety of pelagic fish (mackerels and jacks) are âfattening upâ for their southward migration and a plethora of opportunity opens up for the light tackle anglers along the coast. At times you can literally find (even near your feet) almost non-stop action from the various species of jacks along with a sprinkling of spanish mackerel and bluefish. These can be caught throughout most days using small jigs (such as Speck Rig or Looney Jig) and spoons (like Krocodile, Kastmaster or Sidewinder) including the ever popular âbubble rigâ featuring a small jig or spoon.
As the weather and water shift from summer to fall mode, so do the fishes. Mullet begin to school up in large numbers and move along the gulf beaches, often seen jumping or âsmokingâ with their mouths on top of the water. These schools are often shadowed by the gamefish many anglers seek, redfish, speckled trout, bluefish, sharks, etc. Even though these fish may not be actively feeding on the adult mullet they are âkeyed inâ by the passage of the mullet schools which may flush more bite sized baitfish, or crustaceans out of hiding. Wade fishers can often take advantage of this behavior by casting plugs (like MirrOdines, X-Rap, Rattletrap) or spoons (like Mr. Champ, Sidewinder, Krocodile) imitating the smaller hapless baitfish which are ambushed by the fish following the mullet. In addition the presence of mullet or other baitfish meandering in a specific area (around a pier, sandbar, pass or jetty) will often illicit similar feeding activity by gamefish and offer savvy anglers opportunities to cash in on their predictable behavior.
Other schooling baitfish like Bay anchovies (aka red minnows), silverside tidewater minnows, and young of the year scaled sardines (LYs) also tempt the hungry gamefish into feeding activities and even frequent frenzies. These actions are usually telegraphed to anglers by the presence of many diving and squawking gulls and terns which are also feeding on the bait schools being shoaled by feeding fish. It is not uncommon for an angler to accidentally hook or tangle a shorebird and proper caution and handling should be undertaken to free the bird, many of which are federally protected! Simply by reeling them in close and throwing a hand towel over the head of the bird will calm it and allow easier handling and quicker, easier release.
On the surf and shore scene more whiting, pompano and redfish and black drum should be accessible to anglers fishing dead shrimp on bottom near the beaches during periods of calm and clear water. During these calm periods the standard one to three ounce pyramid sinkers and ready-made âbead rigsâ can be foregone and replaced by smaller hand-tied Carolina style rigs (a 15â light monofilament leader tied to a #4 Kahle hook) utilizing 8, 6, 4 or even 2 pound test line below a small egg sinker (one quarter to one ounce). Since there are usually no obstructions for a fish to snag around in the surf it is easy (and more FUN) to use ultralight spinning tackle. And with a proper drag setting and line capacity anglers can catch even larger surf roaming species like redfish and drum. Any of these can be landed on light line with a small single hook and a small piece of orange colored Fish Bites tipped with 1â2 of a fresh, dead shrimp or small sandflea (mole crab).
As always, wading anglers should be aware of the possibility of stinging jellyfish (seanettles) and stingrays in the surf and shallow waters especially when those waters are rough or dingy. Be careful out there ;-)