This snapper is also known as a mingo or beeliner. These fish are very tasty. Vermillion snapper are usually found in the 2 – 3 pound range but sometimes 4 -5-pound fish are caught. The record is just over 7 pounds. Fishing small cut bait is the best option for catching these fish. You will usually find these snappers in depths from 100 feet to over 300 feet.
The Fish we Catch
There are many fish located in the Gulf of Mexico off of Orange Beach, Alabama. Many of the fish have an open and closed season. Some of the fish have a year-round season. We will list some of the most popular fish found in the waters off Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.
Vermillion Snapper
White Snapper (red porgy)
These fish are caught on the bottom. Small cut bait is the best option. You will often catch two at a time when fishing two hook rigs. These fish will give you a tug all the way to the surface. The average size is 2 – 5 pounds. The best depths to find these fish are usually 200 feet and deeper. You can also catch white snapper in depths near 100 feet. These fish are tasty. I prefer to prepare these fish fried.
Spanish Mackerel
The Spanish mackerel are caught by trolling small artificial baits near the coastline. These fish range from 2 to 5 pounds. These are a very tasty fish. You will not get a battle from these fish unless you use light spinning tackle and cast into a school of mackerel. Catching Spanish mackerel are enjoyed by many families since small kids can reel these fish in by themselves with the rod in the rod holder.
Red Snapper
Red Snapper can live 25 years and weigh more than 25 pounds. The common
size of red snapper caught are in the 6 – 10-pound range. However there are many caught weighing 10 – 20 pounds. Red snapper are caught in waters from 40 feet to well over 200 feet. Frozen minnows and squid are good options for catching red snapper. Live bait of most any type is a good option for catching big red snapper. However, do not be surprised if the largest snapper on the boat is not caught on a small piece of cut bait. You never know.
Wahoo
This is one of the fastest swimming fish in the Gulf of Mexico. When hooked, this fish can make a reel sing as they peel line quickly off the reel. You will usually find these fish in the 20 to 60-pound range. Wahoo can weigh over 100 pounds. These fish are usually found well offshore but sometimes they can surprise you closer to shore. They always provide a hard battle. This fish is excellent tasting.
Amberjack
The greater amberjack is the most common jack off of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Everyone loves to catch this fish because of the hard fight they give you. These fish can also get very large. The common sizes are from 20 pounds to 40 pounds. A recent near-record amberjack was caught and weighed over 125 pounds. Live baits will usually entice an amberjack to strike. You will usually find these fish in depths from 100 feet to 300 feet. These fish are good to eat and are usually preferred grilled.
Golden Tilefish
The golden tilefish are found in depths of 600 feet and deeper. The golden Tilefish like the soft mud bottom. The taste of these fish have been compared with lobster. They are very mild and come from the cold water in depths from 600 to 1200 feet. these fish are caught will power assisted reels.
King Mackerel
Kings are found just off the beach to well offshore. These fish are always roaming and looking for food. Most king mackerel are caught by trolling but they are also caught by bottom-fishing or a bait on a drift line. Kings are known to make hard runs near the surface when hooked. These fish will range from around 10 pounds to over 50 pounds. These fish are good to eat.
Gag Grouper
Gag grouper has always been a prize fish off of Alabama Gulf Coast waters.
You will usually find these fish on hard bottom in depths of 140 to 240 feet. Live bait is the best option. Gag grouper can range from 10 pounds to around 60 pounds. A 20 to 40-pound gag grouper is considered a very nice one.
Scamp Grouper
Scamp grouper are known for their broom tail shape. These fish are excellent tasting. You will find them on hard bottom and small live bait or whole squid are good options for catching these grouper. The weight can range from 4 pounds to over 10 pounds. A 20 pound scamp is rare in our area but we do see them.
Black Snapper (mangrove snapper)
We do not see very many black snappers but it is always exciting to catch one. These fish are sometimes caught by chumming small cut bait and enticing these fish to swim to the surface. You may then use light spinning tackle with a small piece of bait on a small hook. These fish are very cautious so be patient. We see many fish in the 2- 4-pound range but sometimes catch one near 10 pounds. These fish are also caught on the bottom with large baits.
Almaco Amberjack
This amberjack is usually found in deep waters around 250 feet or deeper. This amberjack is known for it’s sickle fin. These are hard fighting fish and are also good to eat.
Red Grouper
The red grouper is found on hard bottom. They tend to like large size baits, live or dead. These fish will give you a good tug. A 10 to 20 pound red grouper is considered to be a very nice one.
Warsaw Grouper
Yellowedge Grouper
