Official Orange Beach Fishing Reports

Posts Tagged ‘Orange Beach’

Just released on WKRG, Channel 5 News: Red Snapper Season Cut? – Discounts Available Now!

By Pat Peterson

ORANGE BEACH, Alabama – Orange Beach charter boat captain George Pfieffer says if the federal government shortens this year’s red snapper season, he could be forced to find another way to make a living.

CALL NOW FOR AN IMMEDIATE DISCOUNT – 888.558.3889

“In between both of my boats, I’ll probably lose somewhere between 150 to 250 thousand dollars,” says Pfieffer. “We’ve lost a lot of business due to the economy and with the red snapper season being shortened, that’s compounded the problem.”

Federal regulators want to cut the red snapper season from 74 days to between 51 and 60 days. The feds say the cut would help stabilize the red snapper population many believe was over-fished last year. But recreational boat captains say that information is inaccurate.

“Snapper is not an issue,” says Tom Steber, owner of Zeke’s Landing Marina in Orange Beach. “There’s probably 25 times more snapper out there than there’s ever been.”

“It doesn’t just affect the fishermen,” says Pfieffer. “It affects the whole community. Hotels, motels, restaurants, everybody. Billions of dollars up and down the coast are lost due to economic impact and the cutback of snapper.”

Federal officials could make a decision on whether or not to shorten the season later this week.

While returning from a four hour trip on the Emerald Spirit on August 12, 2009, we came upon a rare site. A Whale Shark easing along with seemingly no cares in the world. He had around 30-40 juvenile Cobia swimming around him. I spotted the Shark and announced over the P.A. system to the customers that there was a Whale Shark off the port side and every one rushed over to see as I slowed the boat down and approached with caution as to not spook the fish. We pulled along side and I quickly reached for my camera. It was as if he knew we wanted to look at him and take pictures. He simply laid there almost motionless, every once and a while swishing his tail to keep moving ever so slowly as sharks have to do to breath.

Call us if you want to have Fishing Trips like this!!!

Whale Sharks are Plankton feeders and skim through the water for small minnows and other microscopic organisms. This is the time of year that we have lots of little red minnows that swarm in huge schools along our coast. Every thing feeds on them from King Mackerel, Red fish, Spanish Mackerel, Blue Runners, Bonito and Sea Gulls just to mention a few. It was a rare treat to see this fish that day because he was only around 10 miles off the beach. Normally they are known for living far offshore in the extremely clear Blue Water of the Gulf Stream usually located 40 or 50 miles out. However, we have been blessed with some real clean water lately all the way up to the beach. The Wahoo are starting to bite good again with this good water flow. The Whale shark was sighted a few more times by some of the other boats in the following days of our sighting. Maybe he’ll stay around for a while.

The newest and most improved boat to the Gulf – “The Emerald Spirit” has arrived and is ready for fun in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama.  The 65’ Bonner has been completely renovated inside and out with all new amenities, including, hot and cold showers, ice machine, cushions in the v-berths to sleep 12, mirrored ceilings, and a brand new large green egg grill.  This girl has all new electronics, twin 600 hp Lugger Engines that cruise about 19 knots.  The boat is certified for 49 passengers; has 70 brand new matching custom rods and reels and is geared up for all types of fishing, including tournaments, overnight tuna and marlin trips, day trip bottom fishing for Snapper, Trigger, Grouper and offshore for Amberjack and Wahoo.  We also accommodate corporate outing trips for a different meeting experience.  When we aren’t fishing private trips, we will have affordable walk-on party boat trips so it’s a very versatile vessel indeed.  Captain George Pfeiffer who was born and raised locally fishing this area will own and operate the Emerald Spirit.  With his reputation and knowledge of the sport, it is sure to be an unforgettable fishing extravaganza.  Check out our website at www.FishEmeraldSpirit.Com.

Fishing Orange Beach - Cold-Front Catch

We don’t like it when it gets cold, but the fish don’t seem to mind most times. As a matter of fact, they seem to notice the change in barometric pressure and go on a feeding frenzy. As the high pressure center approaches it draws in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico with low pressure. As the pressure drops the fish sense it and knowing of the impending change begin to feed. This gives us a chance for some great opportunities to catch the big one. We also remember to consider the tidal flow when planning your trip. In our area some of the best spots for bait are, under the bridge at the sea wall, out at the end of the rock jetties, on the point in the grass beads, generally somewhere there is a change in structure to give the bait somewhere to duck in and hide while being washed down stream. Remember, live bait is always preferred for offshore fishing for the big ones. If you have any questions that I can help with please call me @ 1-888-558-3889 or e-mail me CatCharters@FishOrangeBeach.Net.

-Captain George Pfieffer

If you are looking for an expert fisherman or an experienced guide for your tour of the beautiful Gulf Coast waterways, Action Charter Service and Captain George Pfeiffer invite you to join them on The CAT. The CAT, Coast Guard Certified for up to 30 passengers, will meet and exceed the needs of your fishing trip or sightseeing tour.

The CAT is fit for deep or blue water fishing up to 100 miles offshore, fishing along the Gulf Coast or within its hundreds of miles of inlets. Using the best bait, top-of-the-line rods and reels, and the combined experience of Captain George and his Mate, Action Charter Service will make sure that your trip is exciting and memorable. With Action Charter Service you will get on the fish and get those fish on the boat.

No matter what your pleasure, Action Charter Service can accommodate. From offshore trolling for Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Tuna, and Dolphin, to bottom fishing for the hard fighting Grouper, Amberjack, and the delicious Red Snapper, we will put you there. The CAT is also available for fishing tournaments, providing ample room for you and your guests to have multiple lines in the water.

For sightseers, Action Charter Service is available for events such as Blue Angels expositions, concerts at The Wharf, fireworks shows, even bird-watching tours. Captain George has lived on the Gulf Coast his entire life and is familiar with all of its natural wonders.

Captain George Pfeiffer and Action Charter Service are your best choice for your fishing or sightseeing trip along the Florida and Alabama coast. Service is available throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall fishing seasons.

Call Captain George Pfieffer @ 888.558.3889 to book your Fishing Trip!

Welcome to Action Charter Service! On our web site you will find information to help you book your fishing trip with us as well as information about us. On the Captain and Vessel pages you will find profiles of our captain, George Pfeiffer, a Florida Gulf Coast native, and his ship, The CAT. In our Photos section, you will find pictures from our many successful trips in and around the Gulf Coast. Under the Fishing Seasons section of the site, you will find Captain George’s monthly reports on local fishing game and photos of that month’s most exciting catch!

Before you check out the pricing and booking you should take a look at our fishing blog in the Fishing Reports section. There you will find posts about previous trips we’ve taken out into the Gulf, and, within the blog, you can get a feel for what a day with Captain George on The CAT is like. When you’re finally ready to get going on your trip, you can park it at our Pricing and Booking section filled with detailed information pertaining to the type of trip that you want.

Action Charter Service makes every effort to ensure that your trip is safe and fun so that you and your group can have a great time and catch heaps of delicious fish!

With Action Charter Service, consistency is the key to success. The good weather, calm seas and hungry fish are all consistent as well as our catches lately. We’ve had the good fortune of good weather and great anglers who have been bringing in the fish. Amberjack are plentiful offshore around 40 to 50 miles and a few Cobia have been showing up on the deep water wrecks.

We stop in the mornings and catch our live bait just offshore before we go out. Hard tails, green Elwys, and Cigar Minnows are still plentiful around the pass. As for the deep water fish, Scamp and Grouper are still holding strong in about 250 feet of water. The extremely large Vermilion Snapper (or Mingos) have slowed a little bit but are still in good numbers. As usual, they still prefer cut squid or small live bait like Cigar Minnows. We use small circle hooks in the deep water because it is so hard to feel them bite, it seems to help the customers land the fish in the boat.

King Mackerel, Bonita, Jack Cravelle and Spanish Mackerel are all biting good on the four hour trolling trips close to shore and out about five to six miles. We use small clark spoons and a number 2 planer with about a twelve foot leader and troll at about 5-6 knots. Most of the fish are holding around some of the wrecks but there are schools swimming out in the open water close to the beach. Just look for the birds, they’ll always show you where the fish are.

Check out our catches below and come fishing on the C.A.T. Boat with Captain George Pfeiffer!

Fishing out of Orange Beach Alabama is building to an all time great high.

Red Snapper are more abundant than ever before and there has been a few 90 plus pound Wahoo brought to the weigh in scales for the Salt Water Series Tournament. We have seen some big Amberjack being caught in the 35-45 pound range as well as some 50-75 pound Yellow Fin Tuna. The Black Fin Tuna are biting well also.

On our last few offshore trips we have been bringing in some Scamp in the 15-18 pound range as well as some 4.5lb Vermilion Snapper (Mingo). Trigger Fish are making a good show along with big White Snapper in the 3.5lb range.

The Inshore action is doing well with the Cobia showing up, some weighed in at 90.3 lb, 86.5 and more. Spanish, King mackerel and Red Fish are biting along the beach. There are plenty of Cigar Minnows starting to bunch up in schools on the bottom.

So far we’ve seen an improvement in every species and it looks like we’ll see even more in the future. The weather is warming up every day and is expected to reach as high as 90 degrees today. We are all looking forward to the opening of Federal Waters for Red Snapper on June 1st. The season will be open until August 5th. There will be the “World Championship Red Snapper Tournament” going on the entire season for Red Snapper. Check out our web page and the photo gallery for pictures of some “Big” Red Snapper and Call or E-mail us for a chance to win $25,000.00 in the Tournament.

It was early in the morning with a light fog hanging over the water and a cool nip in the air. You could see the horizon starting to get a little brighter to the east. The marina was quiet except for the sound of the wheels of a fish cart rolling down the dock as my deck hand pushed it full of bags of ice towards the boat for our trip that day. He had been there extra early that morning anticipating an exiting day of fishing and couldn’t wait to get ready to go. As I walked up to the boat I noticed he already had all the fishing poles out, rigged and ready. “Good morning Captain!” I said yes it is. He knew that we would probably have a day of fishing to remember today because just as I do, he checks the weather and hears all of the latest fishing reports and knows that the fish are biting good and we have the perfect forecast for the next several days.

I was looking forward to the trip as well because I knew that some of my good customers from Chattanooga Tennessee would be there. They are a group of guys from their local Baptist Church and even though they live in Tennessee, they are very experienced fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico. That meant I could expect them to be as excited as we were. As I got on the boat and opened the wheel house door to put my stuff down, I heard the chatter of voices coming from around the corner of the building in the parking lot. Sure enough, it was them and they were an hour early. Seems they couldn’t wait to get down to the boat either. As they filed on down to the boat we said our good mornings and loaded up, laughing and talking about who is going to get the “Big One” today. The day was off to a great start.

We left the marina around Six o’clock and headed out the pass at Orange Beach, Alabama. I told them we would stop and get some live bait out about twenty miles and then continue offshore to start our day of bottom fishing. We already knew there were some Amberjack and Grouper biting out about 35- 40 miles so we had to have some good bait. Usually we have some that we catch at the marina, but this time of the year the “Pinfish” are still a little scarce, so we use what ever we can get off shore.

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As we cleared the pass my deckhand put out the high speed trolling lines. We usually run about 16 knots and troll with heavy trolling weights (16-48 oz) in front of a heavy lure (24-36oz) and we use wire line on the reels. All of this gets the lure down deep enough to still have it presented good to the fish even at 16 knots. After all, Orange Beach, Alabama, is home of the “World Record Wahoo”. We catch a lot of Wahoo trolling in and out to our fishing holes as well as King Mackerel, Dolphin and some times even a Blue Marlin. You never know.

After stopping and catching some small White Snapper, Mingo’s (Vermillion), and some Sand Perch, we were off again to head out to the deep water. Typically, the fish are in deeper water earlier in the season because the water temperature is still around the mid 60’s. When the temperature comes up to 70 something, they will migrate into the shallower waters. Knowing this I had a plan. Head on out to the deep water first and work my way back in.

Later we would even go try to get our Red Snappers in Florida waters, as it has not yet opened in the Federal waters. After arriving to our first destination it was clear the day was going to go well when we dropped our lines in 180 feet of water and every one got bites rite away. The Big Mingo’s and Big White Snapper were on fire. We caught around 50 to 75 pounds off the first hole and people were beaming excitement. We headed over to the next hole as every one regrouped and got something to drink, baited there hooks and waited for me to stop the boat. It didn’t take long for them to get back into the groove after waiting for a year to come fishing again.

On our next stop, I noticed what appeared to be the familiar markings of Amberjack on the fish finder. I told my deckhand to put down some of the live bait that we had caught that morning and see if they would bite. He dropped the bait down anticipating an immediate strike, but it didn’t come so he handed off the rod to a “new comer” and continued to take off fish from the others. About ten minutes went by when all of a sudden we heard this yelling “Help me!” We all looked over to see this new guy who had never been out in the Gulf of Mexico before trying to get to his knees as the fish is trying to pull him overboard. That’s when I knew that we were truly blessed for the day. After a fifteen minute struggle with the fish, I looked back and saw my deck hand reach over the stern with gaff and make one clean swipe and pull in over the railing an Amberjack around 35lbs. Every one cheered and high fived and patted him on the back. This was his biggest fish he had ever caught. He set the rod down and slumped down to his knees with exhaustion. That was surely a memory that he will have for the rest of his life.

As we continued to fish we caught several more Amberjack and a few Gag Groupers as well as some Scamp. We fished several holes in the area doing well on all of them and then decided to put the trolling lines back in the water and head back into Florida waters to see of we could catch some Red Snappers. Although trolling didn’t pay off that day for us, I heard that there were some others who did catch a Wahoo and a few Kings.

We arrived in Florida waters and noticed that there were many boats on all of the public reefs as well as a few private and after careful consideration I decided to see if one of my “Personal Private Reefs” had some fish on it. As I expected it was loaded with nice fish.

It didn’t take long and we caught our limit (2 per person) and were on our way home. What a day! Every where we went that day it seemed like we had a little “Divine Intervention”? We did have the preacher on board. As we headed back to the marina I could hear every one talking about what a good time they had and were already talking about booking another trip.

The whole day proved to be a complete success. When we pulled back into the marina there were friends and loved ones waiting on the dock for us to arrive. We rounded the corner of the dock and they began to wave and shout with excitement. As I backed into my slip I thought to myself how lucky I am to have had such a great day with friends and family out on the water all day. I think the picture says a thousand words.

Fishing season is warming up and we were fortunate enough to have beautiful weather when we went out this past Wednesday, March 12. In mid-March, most of the fish are still offshore a few miles in warmer water. So our first stop was 22 miles south of Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, AL. (The water temperature at the pass is still about 61°.)

The fish seemed to be anticipating our arrival. As soon as we stopped on the first spot it was action-packed. No sooner than we dropped our lines they started hitting; vermilion snapper (or mingos), triggerfish, white snapper, banded rudder fish. Then some small Amberjack started hitting. The fish were biting as fast as we could get fresh bait in the water.

After an hour-and-a-half on this spot, we decided to try our luck on some deeper water species. We headed south another 5 or 6 miles to around 180 feet of water. Sure enough, soon as we dropped our lines the fish were ready. We picked up some really big white snapper, and a few scamp. Just as we were about to come back home, we lucked into a couple of 33 inch Amberjack (a nice “Cart Topper”).

As we were headed to the dock at the end of the day, the fishing team was busy planning their next trip.