Fishing on the Alabama Gulf Coast
Families can find a lot of fun and adventure in the Gulf Shores area – especially if they're looking to cast a line into the warm waters of the gulf and pull up a champion red snapper, amberjack or grouper. That's right, a vacation in Gulf Shores gives you the chance to catch a number of exotic fish. Whether you are fishing in the back bays or lagoon, casting off the pier at Gulf State Park, or pursuing a deep-sea fishing adventure on an Orange Beach charter, the region's diverse collection of marine species and warm subtropical climate make it one of the best spots for fishing in the world.
Before you get started
Whether you plan to head out on the water or prefer to bait your hook from the shore near your Gulf Shores beach house, you will need to secure an Alabama fishing license before your journey begins. Thankfully, a license can be easily acquired online through the state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, where guests can also research fishing season dates and water conditions.
If you instead have your heart set on fishing off the coast of Perdido Key, Florida, you can acquire their license through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission just as easily.
Of course, some charter and tour groups will actually provide fishermen with a one-day license just for signing up, so adventurers may want to research their provider before purchasing their own license.
Head out on the water
With your license and gear, you're ready to hit the water! Yet, while some families will explore the Gulf Coast with an inshore fishing guide or from the 1,540-foot Gulf State Park fishing pier, anglers with bigger catches on their mind might want to climb aboard an Orange Beach fishing charter or cruise. These excursions lead you and your family on a fun-filled ride into the Gulf of Mexico, bringing you to some of the best fishing spots in the region and ensuring that even the tiniest trawlers have a chance to land a fish worth writing home about. If the kids would rather spend the day with something bigger and cuter than a mackerel, sign up for fun and exciting dolphin tours.
Captain your own fishing vessel
Guided tours on the water can be a great way to relax with the family, but more experienced boaters may prefer to rent a watercraft of their own. Fortunately, a bevy of marinas in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area have a vessel waiting just for you. The courteous and professional staff found at these marinas provides travelers with everything they need for a day on the sea, and those of you who are looking for even more aquatic excitement can hit the waves on a Jet-Ski or Hobie Cat.
A treasure trove of subtropical fish
Depending on the time of year, you can find an impressive array of subtropical fish in the warm waters off Alabama and Florida's Gulf Coast. From large billfish to the lowly minnow, every bite that fishermen feel is a mystery that could make for a memorable story – and a memorable vacation at that!
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