Thread: Fishing platforms within 10 miles of orange beach / gulf shores....

Originally Posted by frednic

Since you are limited to 12 miles the rigs might be a best bet.

The are some relatively new (2019) reefs off Dauphin Island that I have not fished because we usually go deeper. I assume you have checked out the reef lists at Outdoor Alabama. I you have not you should. The easiest way to access them is through Google Earth or you can download an Excel file. If you look at the "Alabama Wildlife Federation" reefs off Dauphin Island there is a sunken tug, "Jane B" with barge welded to it on the east end of that area.

GPS Latitude	N30° 5.471'
Latitude (Decimal Degrees)	30.091183
GPS Longitude	W88° 13.387'
Longitude (Decimal Degrees)	-88.223117

If I were limited to 12 miles I would consider going there. Again, I have never fished it but it sure looks like the right kind of target to me other than its relative newness. Pier#r might know better.

As far as the flat line, you need a circle hook (#5/0 to #7/0) with steel leader (I use 27# or 44# single strand - about 15-18") and any reel with good drag and 15-25 lb line. Just hook a frozen cigar minnow through the nose and let the current take it about 50-100 feet behind the boat and set it in a rod holder with the clicker on and a pretty light drag. You can also use alive bait on a float, but it will require more tending. The live bait will not attract remoras quite as much.

Thank you so much for this great information Fredric. Really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Green_Steel

Based on the information you have given, I do feel the rigs are a good choice. I agree throwing gotchas and other lures is a great idea while drifting cigar minnows or live bait. If you are familiar with catching live bait at the pier with a sabiki, this technique can also be used from a boat. I watch the fish finder closely on the ride out. If you see any bait breaking on the surface, or on the bottom with the fish finder, stop and give it a try. We almost always catch live cigar minnows in open water 30-40 ft deep. Many times without seeing anything, we will just shut down and drift. Within a few minutes bait gather under the boat. Fish the sabiki bouncing off the bottom. Most times you can catch live bait at the rigs as well, sometimes near the surface, sometimes at mid-level or even on bottom. Good luck and let us know how you do.

Thank you very much for the great suggestions.

BTW, the Jane B is a long way from Perdido Pass but fairly close to Fort Morgan (as are the rigs). Be sure to check out the reefs. There are other spots, maybe not as interesting as the Jane B that are closer to Perdido if that is an issue.

Originally Posted by frednic

BTW, the Jane B is a long way from Perdido Pass but fairly close to Fort Morgan (as are the rigs). Be sure to check out the reefs. There are other spots, maybe not as interesting as the Jane B that are closer to Perdido if that is an issue.

Yeah, I was noticing how far that was when looking at a map. Probably need to stay within 10 - 15 miles of Perdido Pass. Please let me know if you have any spots in mind that would be in that area. Thanks again!

Out of Perdido, looking for larger targets I would hit the Liberty Ships.

Allen

GPS Latitude	N30° 7.835'
Latitude (Decimal Degrees)	30.130583
GPS Longitude	W87° 31.790'
Longitude (Decimal Degrees)	-87.529833

and Wallace

GPS Latitude	N30° 5.235'
Latitude (Decimal Degrees)	30.08725
GPS Longitude	W87° 34.636'
Longitude (Decimal Degrees)	-87.577267

There are hundreds of other targets in the area, some of which are bridge rubble and present larger targets than the individual pyramids. There is also the trolling corridor which has a few hundred pyramids stretched over three miles if you want to troll.

You really should get the Google Earth view.

If you have an anchor a block of chum will increase your odds.

Do you mind if I ask where you can rent a boat that allows you to go 12 miles out?

I know there are sites, like vrbo, but for boats that will let you go pretty far out.