Preferred Weather Forecast Source; Last Fishing Advise Check-in

Well, in 4 days a caravan of pasty, white WI folk will be heading your way. Our pastiness will likely shine bright on your beach. (Sorry, in advance). We are excited. I'm really pumped to experience surf fishing and hope to get lucky and tie into a drag puller.

I am a golf course superintendent and live by the weather forecast. I have several weather websites that I rely on, but 1 or 2 seem to be the most accurate for my area. Is there a particular weather website that tends to be more accurate than others for the Gulf Shore area?

I've participated in the forum for the last few months and have really enjoyed the conversations and appreciate all advice that has been offered. That said, what's the latest report for fishing the pier, surf or Little Lagoon? I have a few new toys that I'm excited to try (popping cork, sibiki, pompano rig, corky, gulp shrimp etc) but would appreciate any further guidance to possibly experience a lucky day of fishing.

Thanks again!

Thanks, safe travels and good luck fishing!
For consistency, clarity and professionalism I have always gone to THE source of weather information, the National Weather Service.
All other weather source services and products are based off the same data.
These people with the NWS live in the Mobile/Pensacola area and have learned the intricacies of forecasting our coastal weather, and are pretty good at IMHO.
This link allows you to tweak your local forecast right down to the pier, or other land based areas...
National Weather Service

The coastal waters forecast is similarly specific, though the area is a bit larger.
Still I check it often, as with all NWS service weather forecasts it is updated every 4 hours...
National Weather Service

IF you are totally land based with your fishing (and do not have insulated waders), the GSPPier, Perdido Pass seawall, and gulf beaches will be your best bet to tie into a 'drag puller'.
Big fish won't be easy though, as the bull reds usually move into deeper water once the water gets this cool.
Fishing in the evening may help as the incoming tide may bring big fish closer to shore.
But you never know really. Check at the pier, and baitshops and ask what's biting. Or walk the beaches and talk to the fishermen you encounter.

If you are scale down the tackle some, many find sheepshead at the pier or seawall both enjoyable and challenging.
And if light tackle is in your repertoire, whiting and pompano will please and feed you ;-)

Sabikis and popping corks and Gulp Shrimp aren't usually much help in cold water like what we have now.
But the pompano rig could be useful from shore, and the Corky IF you plan to wadefish Little Lagoon.

Anyway, I hope my ramblings help you!

I use NOAA also, but I like to get a look at the GFS model directly (or the NAM High resolution for short range). If you look at the whole model it gives you an idea of the major trends and lets you know when you are in a kind of transition area (when a front is stalling, e.g).

Almost any forecast you see is going to be based off one of these two as they are run in the NOAA supercomputer. Most other forecasts you see are going to be an interpretation of these except in hurricane season when you see other models like the European.

Model Guidance

By the way, if you see a bumper sticker that says "Iff'n it's snowbird season, why cain't we shoot'em?" Don't worry, it's a joke.

No worries. WI has some pretty high profile summer attractions that bring visitors from all over. In my opinion, as long as visitors respect the host city and patrons, everybody is much happier. I don't agree with tourists coming in and maintaining a 4-star stuck-up attitude and demand the world just because they're a visitor.

Not me. I enjoy sharing a beer and a story or two. And if you know anything about WI, we rarely stop at "a beer". I'll do what I can to help stimulate the local economy...

I generally look at Intellicast first, then the NOAA forcast, then average the two. Like going to different doctors until you find one that tells you what you want to hear. Come on out on the pier. Even if the fish aren't biting, you'll make new friends (as long as you bathe on a regular basis) and won't have to work as hard getting sand out of your tackle. Good luck.

Mr Driley, what part of Pakerland you from? I live in Foley but, have a home in Wisconsin and was born and raised there.

SE Corner. 30 minutes due West of Milwaukee. Oconomowoc.

Yup, Spent a career in Walworth co, living in whitewater. My other home is in St.Germain.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fshntime

Yup, Spent a career in Walworth co, living in whitewater. My other home is in St.Germain.

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You still get up too early!

Driley - While you are in town, Give Big Beach Brewery a visit. I am sure they would appreciate some "tourist love" during the off season. They are great folks, and have great beer. They have built a first class tap room on 24th Ave and we visit them several times each trip to town.