Need good place to...

Can anyone suggest a good place in or around Mobile, to take my younger kids Bream/Shellcracker fishing?
Preferably easily accessible and either a dock or stable bank would be nice.
Just want to let the kiddies have something tug their lines a bit.

I know a couple good spots, but they're not kid friendly for access.
Kind'a surprised that I can't seem to find any nearby stocked public lakes or pay fishing ponds.
Would love to find some kind soul with a private pond who'd let my kids C&R a few fish.

Thanks.

hmmm fort blakely is a good place but its over in spanish fort

On the causeway at the bait shop and launch i used to take my neices there its nice has bathroom and its safe

[quote author=ChileRelleno link=topic=3089.msg28175#msg28175 date=1365209142]
Would love to find some kind soul with a private pond who'd let my kids C&R a few fish.

Thanks.
[/quote]

Secret there is to just ride through the country till you find a likely looking pond and just stop and ask. Have done it many times. Usually have to ask at 3 or 4 places to score. Never hurts to offer some filets - and always have your kids with you.

[size=12pt]http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/alabama/mobile/theodore/smith-pond/[/size]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[quote author=derekb link=topic=3089.msg28176#msg28176 date=1365209326]
hmmm fort blakely is a good place but its over in spanish fort
[/quote]Never been there, any good?
Just looked at a map of it, fishing in the creeks or along the Tensaw R. boardwalk?
Don't really see any park info on fishing.
[quote author=randy36535 link=topic=3089.msg28177#msg28177 date=1365209415]
On the causeway at the bait shop and launch, I used to take my nieces there. Its nice, has bathroom and its safe
[/quote] The one one the East end?
[quote author=divedeep link=topic=3089.msg28179#msg28179 date=1365215106]
Secret there is to just ride through the country till you find a likely looking pond and just stop and ask. Have done it many times. Usually have to ask at 3 or 4 places to score. Never hurts to offer some filets - and always have your kids with you.
[/quote] Hmmmmm... Might have to try that.

[quote author=FinChaser link=topic=3089.msg28180#msg28180 date=1365216818]
[size=12pt]http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/alabama/mobile/theodore/smith-pond/[/size]
[/quote]I've actually looked at that pond numerous times, but it's all private property, might have to try Divedeep's approach there.

Many times the reason landowners put up no fising signs is because of all the people who fish without asking. Sometimes they wrlcome a fisherman who simply has the courtesy to stop and ask. Don't be offended or discouraged by rejections - takes persistence to score and often it can turn impnto a long term deal. If you do score -do NOT tell anyone about it.

I used to pay/fish a lot out in Rosinton at "Cooper's Lake". It actually had 2 lakes and back then had enough decent fish to keep it interesting. Turn east on 64 in Loxley across from Burris Farm Market and it's a few miles down on the left. It's been a while and I'm not sure if it's still in operation. Good luck.

i think there trying to get all of the chemicals and stuff out of the pond and someone burnt the pay house >:(

Nice...

Took my kids out to several places today, not much biting, but we had a blast and even caught a few fish.
We fished the dam behind the shopping center in Spanish Fort, then across from Alligator Alley behind the Hotel, and a few section of Halls Mill Creek.
We caught a small Largemouth Bass, 4 Shellcrackers and 6 Redbreasts and one I couldn't ID.
It looked like a Black Crappie with blue spots, definitely wasn't a Bluegill, perhaps a hybrid?

Ya know what the highlight of day was for the little ones? The gators being out and active.

[quote author=ChileRelleno link=topic=3089.msg28213#msg28213 date=1365291975]
Took my kids out to several places today, not much biting, but we had a blast and even caught a few fish.
We fished the dam behind the shopping center in Spanish Fort, then across from Alligator Alley behind the Hotel, and a few section of Halls Mill Creek.
We caught a small Largemouth Bass, 4 Shell Crackers and 6 Redbreasts and one I couldn't ID.
It looked like a Black Crappie with blue spots, definitely wasn't a Bluegill, perhaps a hybrid?

Ya know what the highlight of day was for the little ones? The gators being out and active.
[/quote]

spotted sunfish? http://www.identicards.com/allaboutf...tted%20sunfish


green sunfish? http://www.identicards.com/allaboutf...reen%20sunfish


pumpkinseed? http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/greatla...mpkinseed.html

Chili that kinda sounds like what my grandfather would call a stump knocker. Kind of a neat looking little fish.

:headbang:

Quote:

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It looked like a Black Crappie with blue spots

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yer 'mystery fish' might have been a talapia ???
or perhaps one of the lesser known native species...
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishin...er/fish/bream/

[quote author=Pier#r link=topic=3089.msg28223#msg28223 date=1365309497]
:headbang:

Quote:

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It looked like a Black Crappie with blue spots

---

yer 'mystery fish' might have been a talapia ???
or perhaps one of the lesser known native species...
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishin...er/fish/bream/
[/quote] Thank you #r.
It looked a good bit like the Bluespotted, but with darker coloration of body and patches... Maybe due to stress?
I'm going to have to go with this.
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishin...m/bluespotted/

Another fun filled day sharing some fishing with my kids, and catching my 1st of a species :banana:

[quote author=ChileRelleno link=topic=3089.msg28224#msg28224 date=1365310599]
[quote author=Pier#r link=topic=3089.msg28223#msg28223 date=1365309497]
:headbang:

Quote:

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It looked like a Black Crappie with blue spots

---

yer 'mystery fish' might have been a talapia ???
or perhaps one of the lesser known native species...
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishin...er/fish/bream/
[/quote] Thank you #r.
It looked a good bit like the Bluespotted, but with darker coloration of body and patches... Maybe due to stress?
I'm going to have to go with this.
http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishin...m/bluespotted/

Another fun filled day sharing some fishing with my kids, and catching my 1st of a species :banana:
[/quote]

8)
Yeah, they are SMALL even when grown.

Quote:

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ADULT SIZE: 2 to 3 in (50 to 75 mm)

DISTRIBUTION: Bluespotted sunfish are not widely distributed in Alabama, but when found, they are usually abundant.
Most records are from low-gradient tributaries to the Mobile Delta and Mobile Bay.

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Perhaps the dark coloration was due to it being a male in breeding season?
Did you get a pic by any chance?