Live Bait for Fishing in Gulf Shores, Alabama & Orange Beach, AL

"Do you have a cast net?"

If there is any one piece of equipment that is the mark of the true coastal angler it is the cast net. Have someone that knows how to throw it show you or you can rent DVDs, but the only way to learn is get out there and start throwing. There are 1,427 different ways to date to throw a cast net, you throwing it 1,428 times will help find what works for you.

What now? Many popular inshore and coastal bait fish hang out around piers and docks. Throw the net off of sea walls, docks, boats, whatever. Pinfish, croaker, and mullet are the most common bait fish caught in a net and they all catch fish.

Pinfish: Lagodon rhomboides; These small fish are typically 4-5" in length and are rarely much bigger than your hand. Hooked in the tail or through the mouth on a hood size 2 or bigger will catch fish. Adjust your hook size to the species of fish you are targeting (see Targeted Species and Hooks). These are a favorite of redfish so consider this. Redfish have flat shaped mouths that are on the underside of their big head. Hooking a pinfish from side to side give the redfish a better chance at inhaling your bait and getting a hook set.

Croaker: Micropogonias undulatus; A speckled trout favorite and a must if you plan to target trophy trout. Also make good crab trap bait because their drumming sound attracts predators. Use a size 2/0 hook because you are looking for big trout and need lots of room around the hood to settle into the soft mouth of the trout.

Mullet: Mugil Cephalus; These silver beauties can be found leaping out of the water and splashing back in. Great bait for big trout when in the finger size (5-8").

Menhaden: Brevoortia Petronus: great live bait fish for all saltwater game species.

Threadfin Shad: Dorosoma petenense : very similar to the menhaden visually but with the tell tale threadfin extending rearward from the dorsal fin. Great bait for trout and redfish, also good for cobia.

Glass Minnow: Trout will feed on these in schools. You'll need a good bait net with small mesh to catch them.

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