The sun is shining, the weather is pleasant and the sandy white beaches are coming alive with people. What are many people across the country thinking about? Would you believe fishing? Plans are being made to travel to beautiful Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama for some deep sea fishing. Not only is it fishing time, but it is also tournament time. The Saltwater Series World Championship begins April 4th and continues through May 26th, 2008. This is almost two months of tournament fishing for only $10 per angler per day. This tournament is huge: fishing for fun and fishing for money. This tournament includes king mackerel, grouper, amberjack, wahoo, tuna, vermillion snapper, triggerfish and cobia. There is also an inshore category. The total prize money is a whopping $150,000. This tournament is for all ages. Bring the kids, bring granddad or gather that group of serious minded anglers. Most of all bring your camera and capture the fun, fishing and memories that will last a lifetime.
As captain and owner of the charterboat Getaway in Orange Beach, I have been fishing on the Alabama Gulf Coast for many years. I still get excited as I see the smiling faces of everyone boarding the boat. There is anticipation from the anglers and the captain as the engines are started and lines are untied. Pictures are already being taken on the back deck of the boat. When I hear Turn up the music, captain," I know we are on our way for a day of fun and fishing as we experience deep sea fishing off the Alabama Gulf Coast.
What about a typical day on the waters off the Alabama Gulf Coast? I have to laugh, thinking about so many non-typical days of surprises on many of my fishing charters. We slowly cruise to the pass and then off we go. The trolling lines are placed behind the boat with hopes of a king mackerel attacking the lure and ripping line off the reel. Time passes quickly with music playing in the background and everyone enjoying great conversation. Before you know it, we have arrived at our first bottomfishing stop. We already have a king mackerel in the box from trolling. Everyone drops a bait down. Within a couple of minutes, there are triggerfish and vermillion snapper coming into the boat. This will be dinner and just maybe a fish to weigh in the tournament. After a couple more stops with similar fishing, we travel on to deeper water. It is now time to place a couple of large baits in the mix. Everyone is still catching fish and then the big rod bends over. You know this is a big fish, but what kind? Everyone stops and focuses their attention on the one angler with a big fish on. After a fight, a nice amberjack comes to the surface. It is gaffed and in the boat. After a few more hours of fishing, a few amberjack and a couple of nice grouper are in the box. Will one of these fish place on the tournament board? We will just have to wait and see. We are ready for the ride back to the dock. Everyone relaxes with a cool drink and talks about the great day of fun and fishing.
But, hold on. Don't forget about the trolling lines that were just placed behind the boat. We are offshore in deep water and this is good water for a big wahoo. We continue the ride home and then that familiar sound of the reel begins to scream. It could be a king mackerel and then again it could be a wahoo. Both fish are in the tournament and both fish are very tasty. After a long fight, a nice wahoo is in the boat. Is this a typical day? It is hard to say. Every day is so different. Some days are better and some days are slower. That is just fishing. One thing is for sure. We are all ready to go on that next trip.
Vermillion snapper, triggerfish, grouper and amberjack were caught on a full day trip. That is not always a guarantee but is always very possible. How about tuna? This is specialty fishing and most tuna are caught on overnight and two day trips. Tuna fishing is truly big game fishing. These fish can weigh well over 100 pounds. Fill the cooler full of food and drinks and get ready as the anticipation can be awesome. There are small tunas caught. But always be ready for the big one. It could be a tournament winner.
How about cobia fishing? This is a nice relaxed type of fishing. That is until you hook into one of these giants. These fish can range from 30 pounds to well over 100 pounds. These fish are found just off the beaches with a method of sightfishing. Just slow cruise along the beaches and look just under the surface. Once the fish is spotted, then cast just ahead of the fish and hope that he takes the bait. This is a great half day trip or longer.
Don't forget the Red Snapper World Championship tournament that begins August 22nd and continues through September 30th. This will be a great one. Both of these great tournaments will contribute to the cause of saving the recreational fishing industry. Come enjoy some great fishing in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama. This is Alabama deep sea fishing at its best.
Captain Don McPherson