When you take the family to Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast, the activities available are abundant. One of the best outings for kids and adults alike is taking advantage of the great fishing opportunities from the beach to the bays and the Gulf of Mexico.
The ages and experiences of the kids will determine what the most suitable method of fishing is.
Surf Fishing
One of the hottest trends that is budget friendly is fishing in the surf along Alabama’s sugar sand beaches. It doesn’t take much equipment to start your surf fishing adventure. Bring a few rods and reels suitable for bass fishing and head to one of the local tackle stores for the needed weights, hooks, and other tackle you’ll need to fish the surf.
Catch Your Own Bait
A great way to entertain some of the younger kids is by catching your own bait. Grab a bait rake at the tackle store and scoop up sand fleas (mole crabs) at the water’s edge for bait. Some kids have more fun catching bait than fish. For those who love reeling in fish, the kids will have the opportunity to catch whiting, pompano, or maybe a redfish or flounder. There’s usually plenty of hardhead catfish hanging around the surf, so the adults must be ready to carefully take the catfish off the line to avoid the spines on the fins and return it to the water. Try to avoid the crowded beaches and find areas with the first sandbar within casting distance.
Fishing at Gulf State Park Pier
Another option is taking the kids to the Gulf State Park Pier, which offers a great fishing experience for beginner or seasoned anglers. Depending on the time of year, a variety of species can be caught from the pier – sheepshead, redfish, Spanish mackerel, pompano, whiting, flounder, and speckled trout.
Book an Inshore Charter Boat
If you want a fun family outing on the water, consider booking an inshore charter boat specializing in family fishing. There are several captains who make a point to appeal to those who love to take their kids fishing and know that kids don’t get fish species-specific. They just want to reel in a fish and get photos with the family. After a successful trip, some captains even clean and prepare the desirable fish, so the family can have a fish fry at their condo or beach house or take the fish home to prepare.
When it comes to fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, short charters are best for youngsters who may not have any fishing experience. Several boats offer trolling trips for king and Spanish mackerel and don’t roam far from the beach to do it. If your family is a little more adventurous, consider a bottom fishing trip with one of the boats that cater to families.
Capt. Troy Frady’s Distraction Charters is designed for family fishing. He loves to take families and first-time anglers out to experience the bounty of fish in the Gulf.
“I reach out to the people who want an experience,” Capt. Frady said. “I take the people who want an adventure. The focus of the trip is more than harvesting fish. It’s more educational and experiencing a light tackle fight without trying to injure or harvest the fish, but still have the experience and joy of fighting a fish and winning the battle. You get a picture taken with the fish and then let it go.
“Some people do want to keep some fish, and we encourage them to ‘keep the best and release the rest.’ It’s about promoting the sustainability of the fishery.”
Frady said the customers choose the length of the trip, as well as the activities included in the journey. The activities could range from just a boat ride in the Gulf to catching bottom fish, like Alabama’s signature red snapper, or trolling for kings and Spanish.
Plan a trip to Alabama’s beautiful beaches and include a fishing trip in the surf, bountiful bays and estuaries, or Gulf of Mexico.
