Fishing Magnolia from the dock?

New member, first post!

I grew up fishing for bream in North Baldwin county along tensaw. I have a good selection of bass lures and worms, etc, but I no longer have access to much freshwater. I know a few spots I can fish around weeks bay/magnolia river. I was recently taught about drop rigs and cut bait, but all I ever catch is hard head cats. I have a variety of different sized rod setups. What tips can you guys give for artificial baits to use and at what times of year? I'm looking to catch literally anything that is not a catfish! I caught one good red last year and I'd love the fight again!

Any time of year (but especially fall/winter) 3" Gulp Shrimp on a 1/4 or 1/8 ounce jighead (experiment with colors, but you may want to start with 'New Penny').
Maybe even rig them in tandem. Fished by 'hopping up off the bottom a foot or so.

Rig them on a popping cork when the water is stained or in low light situations.

Try a small to medium sized topwater plug (Zara Spook Jr) at first light or at dusk.

Hope this helps!

I had a friend tell me to try white 3" gulp shrimp on a red 1/4" jighead, but wasn't sure if it's do well this time of year on midday trips. Think it's a safe bet?

Hardhead catfish are bottom-feeding scavengers. Dropper rigs with pieces of fish flesh for bait target that species because that's where they life and that's what they feed on. If you're fishing the river where there are specks and reds - target them and you'll catch zero hardhead catfish. I like paddletail baits (pictured, about 3") for both reds and specks. The speed of your retrieve will depend on where the fish are in the water column. You'll have to try different levels/speeds to find out what the fish are hitting. I've also had considerable luck freelining a small pinfish or a large live shrimp. No weight - just let your bait do it's thing. So what else is there to use? I like mirrolures and similar baits with mirror/shiny finishes that look like finger mullet. I've also had luck using a 1/4" jig head with a white curly-tail grub body of about (again) 3". http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6164&stc=1 For MORE info about targeting redfish and speckled trout, use the SEARCH feature at the top of this page.

I've fished that area. We used live shrimp and stayed off the bottom. Mainly under a cork. Caught plenty of specks and reds.