Summer is on the way. The water temps are in the 70’s and will hit 90 degrees by the end of June. Bay water is clearing up and salty. Specs and reds have been plentiful along the reefs and piers of the bay. Bait is moving up the bay and will be on the causeway by the end of June.
As we move into June, reds will continue to be my target. I’ll look along the rivers in the delta. Spinner baits like Snagless Sally’s fished over the grass flats or along shell bottoms in three to five feet of water will be productive. Live shrimp on a Carolina rig on deep points like Tensaw, North Pass, Turtle ditch, or the many points on the causeway are a god bet. Don’t forget the docks along the shore or old pilings around Arlington.
If you’re looking for specs, you better start early in the morning. By mid June they will be in deep water most of the day. I’ll start at sunrise and fish a Mirrolure Catch 2000 or Catch Jr. in three to five feet of water. The Shoals around Dauphin Island and the rigs at the south end of the bay are holding trout. The shallow water along the deeper cuts in the flats and rivers in the delta is where the bigger fish will be feeding. The best bite will start before sunrise and be over shortly after the sun comes up. Live shrimp or croakers under a popping cork are a good bet. If you’ve got live bait stop at Middle Bay Light and give it a try.
For you flounder guys, a bull minnow on a Carolina rig fished around pilings and points on the causeway is a good way to put some flat fish in the cooler. If you’re fishing artificial bait a High Tide natural shrimp is my first choice on a High Tide 1/4 or 3/8 oz red jig head.
Right now the fishing in Mobile Bay is as good as it will get until the fall. Start early and don’t forget to keep an eye open for birds working over schools of specs. More next month.