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Been doing well inshore the past years in my kayak , but this season, I'm planning on doing some off shores trips BTB. Would like some information on some good techniques to target kings and Spanish whether Trolling lures, or free lining. I live here in Gulf Shores and have seen videos on YouTube of some catching snapper/ AJ,s and Small mahi with land visible and was
wondering where are some good places and techniques to start out. Thanks in advance!
I would also be interested in knowing some spots BTB.
Check out the MBKFA forum there has been a lot of talk about btb lately. And several people asking the same questions.
Where to start. Look for birds and bait. I throw small spoons at the Spanish and Bonita balls. You can slow troll live bait for kings. Big Kings have a hard time passing up a Hard Tail. Most troll cigar minnows. I usually troll small spoons along the beach and pick up 2 or 3 hard tails then slow troll around. Early the Kings will be close to the bait. You can also use a sabiki rig for bait. I use a bait tube made out of 4" pvc to keep bait alive. Be careful out there and always wear your pfd. Light drags around the boat. Use thumb or palm to increase drag as needed. Fight fish in front of you. Keep rod 10 to 2.
Last thing. Very addictive being offshore. It's awesome.
Another kayak site is Gulfcoastkayakfishing.com
In fact I believe they are having a rigging day on 3/28. Check their website.
I'll go anytime you want if I'm not at work I just picked up a new yak I bought primarily for offshore kings. I've fished quite a bit from my old one launching at west pass and going straight out
The state put out a bunch of pyramids over the last few years less than 3 miles out. In addition to mackerel, there are some reef fish on them too, but don't expect keeper jacks. The closest I have personally ever caught a keeper AJ is about 6-7 miles out, and that involved throwing back a lot of small ones. I don't know how far you plan on paddling, but there is another giant collection of pyramids referred to as the trolling alley about 6 miles offshore.Quote:
Originally Posted by stephen.franklin
Mahi sometimes come in close in the spring or fall when we get a push of pretty water from the southeast, but there is no secret to catching them... it is just about being out on the right day. When the right conditions arise, look for them around weedlines, tidelines, under birds, etc.
http://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/...ef%20Zones.pdf
Would like to get up with you too Rick. We can all three to out.Quote:
Originally Posted by rick11111
This weekend I'm considering fishing somewhere not sure where but possibly Perdido pass for bull reds.
Would like to join but workng Saturday and busy with family stuff on Sunday. Wanted to go out Friday, but weather forecast for now sucks.
Yeah this weekend looks like it might be crappy also sort of
Check out the MBKFA board. If you join as a member you can access the reports section and I posted quite a bit of information last year from my BTB trips. There were several days last summer when I would see Pierless set up with his clients fishing in the morning as I was trolling around in my Outback. My go-to trolling rig is 2 feet of #3 single strand haywire twisted to a #1 live bait hook, then #5 wire to a #4 4x treble stinger hook. The single hook gets dressed with a duster and sometimes an egg sinker depending on how high the fish are in the water column-tiny Spro swivel at the front to prevent trolling twist. I keep my BTB tackle simple with a one piece 7' rod and either either a jigmaster or Penn 320gti loaded with 20lb Trilene Big Game and usually only take two rods with me. I always keep a gallon bag of Captain Salty's cigar minnows with me for bait in my igloo.
Keep your PFD on, wear a whistle and use a flag to make sure boaters see you and keep a line cutter on you at all times. Tie down EVERYTHING because you're gonna flip if you go out enough-usually on the way back in. I lost my paddle on my very first trip. Less gear is more when you're BTB so I usually have in my cooler a few Gatorades, a little ice, cigar minnows, my fish pacifier and measuring board. I keep a few spare pre-tied rigs in ziplock bags inside my hull with a cheap manual bilge pump. Pliers with wire cutters stay in my front PFD pocket. I tail grab all my kings and Spanish-I rarely have a gaff in the yak. I fish a lot by myself so I have a handheld VHF with me at all times BTB.
Stay out of the pass.
A lesson hard learned: Raise your rudder when you get your fish close to the yak-I lost a beast late in the year because I spaced out when I realized how big she was and ran behind me and got caught in the rudder line - pulled off the stinger hook only 8' away from my hand. My rudder goes up immediately after the first run now.
If you come by the boat show this weekend we have half price membership for anyone that's signs up at the show. And we have a kayak demo pool setup if anyone would like to try one out.
Thank yall for all of the great replies!!!! I appreciate the info. Waiting on the water to get warm and then a calm day.
Anyone who wants to fish next weekend let me know. If Panama Cityor Navarr havent killed a ling I'm fishing around here inshore.
I am down possibly on Saturday for a few hours. Just keeping an eye on the weather, supposed to be raining right now on Saturday.
Yeah it might rain early. I'm thinking the pass for bull reds or something maybe little lagoon. Fished it today and had nothing happen at all