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Hello all,
I will be visiting Dauphin Island near the end of June. I have never been to Dauphin Island during this time of year, and was curious as to what fish are around during that time. Also, any tips on bait would be helpful. I've been hearing about fishbites a lot lately. I have never used them before, and I'm curious what y'all think about them. Thanks in advanced!
There are several colors and flavor options and it seems that sometimes a single combination seems to be the hot one. In general I go with shrimp flavor and pink seems to work best for me most of the time. Freshness is very important so shop where they have a high turnover. That is more important than price. I prefer to buy the long strips and cut them as I need them. A small fingernail size piece added to a small piece of fresh dead shrimp works for me. I primarily catch whiting and pompano with this bait and most often use a Carolina rig with 6 lb test line and a slip weight stopped by a swivel. I like to use a floracarbon leader and a good quality size 4 or 6 short shank hook. A size 8 treble hook also works well. When surf fishing do not throw too far out. Many days I have been doing great close in and other people near by are throwing as far out as possible and doing poorly.
The water around DI in late June is typically in the middle 80s.
So there will be LOTS of small croakers, pinfish, catfish and jacks, etc. nibbling at your bait in the surfzone.
That means Fishbites (in the blue package) is a very good option. Shrimp and crab work well as does "Easy Flea".
The best colors seem to be orange and pink.
You can use a strip 1" to 1 1/2" long or half that size IF you want to use it with a piece of shrimp or cut bait.
You might want to use a heavier duty setup with pieces of smaller fish as cut bait, or fished live (without Fishbites).
There can be numerous small sharks, large catfish, rays and even occasional "bull" redfish or black drum around as well.
Another option not to be overlooked is throwing lures for sea trout (specks & whites), ladyfish, bluefish, spanish mackerel, etc.
A silver spoon can be very effective for this, especially early and late in the day.
Some folks even use artificial shrimp under a popping float with good success too.
Hope this helps!
#r's advice is spot on.
Not sure where you will be staying but there are several good options on DI in the summer. From the public beach access you can take a left at the pier and go to the bay or to the right and go to the beach side. Both options can be productive.
In the bay, we've had excellent luck on white trout, whiting, speckled trout, and Jack Crevalle. On the beach side, we've had good luck on mackerel, bluefish, and whiting.
White trout - the best spot for these guys was typically the point "land pier" just south of the golf course, but they can be found throughout the bay at times. Try fishbites and small pieces of cut bait for white trout. Also fun on 3/8oz jigheads with shrimp gulp baits.
Whiting - bay and beach at times. Fishbites in shrimp flavor is best for these. I use pretty small hooks for targeting these.
Speckled Trout - we've had the best luck on these in the bay using live shrimp under a cork. Along pelican spit there are drop offs all along the eastern side that can hold trout/reds. Lots of walking, but worth it. Also caught a few on spoons in the bay and on beach, but not as many.
Jacks - you will likely be too early for these as we've had best luck in late July. You will see them herding baitfish into the bay. It is an awesome sight. When they are in a frenzy they will bite anything. I suggest a 1oz-2oz spoon casted into them. I learned quick to always have a heavier setup ready for when these horses came through.
Redfish - same setup as speckled in the bay, shrimp under cork. Seen many slots caught out on pelican spit. Also landed a bull red on cut bait in the bay.
Mackerel - mostly on beach side on days when you can wade a bit to reach deeper water. Prefer clearer water. 1oz silver spoon was lure of choice. Also caught several smaller macks off the "land pier" in the bay.
Bluefish - beachside only, 1oz silver spoon same as mackerel. Caught some good size blues when conditions are right.
Sharks/rays - TONS of rays in the summer in the bay. Caught some rays bigger than I was. Havent had luck with big sharks, but lots of smaller sharks - even one baby hammer. Cut bait off the land pier is good.
Ladyfish - beachside, byproduct of targeting mackerel/bluefish. Fun fighters, tricky to land.