Surf Casting @ Ft. Morgan, AL

[Tangler]

Hey there, In the first week of June we, my family, are vacationing at Ft. Morgan, AL and I would love to do some fishing from the beach. Our house is Gulf front and I'm envisioning some nice, early morning, fishing. I'm the early riser of the fam! Anywho, I have no idea as to what tackle would work. I am from TN and do bank fishing with my son, mostly hooking smallies, Largemouths, and various pan fish. I have a BassPro Shops baitcaster combo that is med action and loaded with 20 lb. test. Other rigs includes spinning combo w/ 8 lb test, spincaster w/ 6 lb. test, and my ultra-light spinning w/ 4 lb test. I have a good assortment of 1/64 - 1/2 oz jigs and tubes, crank baits, spinner baits, and of course plastic worms. I have heard that one needs to have a wire leader because "everything out there has teeth and will cut your line." I have also heard to have a pair of hemostats to retrieve your lures for the same reason. So, after all those words, I'm asking for someone to "school" me on the basics of fishing from the beach. Thanks for the info.

Roy
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[tubeN2]

Welcome aboard Tangler and thank you for taking the time to register. I also thank you for your excellent question.

Down in Alabama, the is some excellent surf fishing as you have probably heard. The teeth on the species down there are the least of your problems.

With an adequate size hook and good quality line, you will do just fine.

On your 8lb set up, you can use that to target the Pompano that hang out in the surfline. Tie up a double drop shot with the hooks being at 12 and 24inches from the bottom. Small pieces of cutbait or Sand fleas (locally caught) will do the trick. Make sure you are using #1 or #2 hooks.

On your 20lb setup, set up a bottom rig with cut bait on a wide gap hook. This setup should be good for the Blue Fish, Cobia, Black Drum and the Red Drum. You may use a small wire leader if preferred for some of these species.

Sometimes the King Mackerel and Spanish Mackeral cruise through as well. These will definitely need the steel leaders.

Good luck and please don't hesitate to ask any questions if you have them.

We look forward to your report as well.[cool]
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