Capt. Don Halloway

September has arrived, and so far (as of publication date), no big storms to speak of. Let’s hope this continues. Fishing this month should just be a continuation of your normal summer tactics. Fish shallow early and deep during the hottest hours and again shallow late in the day and at night. Big red fish will be around the Dixey Bar most of the month and can be had with live baits drifted out on a falling tide.

 On the days that the Bar is loaded with boats please don’t anchor. Anchored boats create a danger when most boats set up a drift. It’s up to you but you can cover more area when you drift.

 Small sharks will be all over the place but you can still pick up red fish if you just keep bait in the water. Some kings and late cobia may still be caught if you are ready for them tackle wise. They don’t call kings smokers for nothing and the cobia will always continue the fight after they get in your boat. If you do catch some sharks be sure you can identify them if you decide to keep some. The sharp nose are legal at any size but most others have a minimum length requirement. They’re tough to identify sometimes, so better safe that sorry. If you do catch red fish be sure to keep only what you will eat now and release the rest. If you do release some, make sure that they don’t float away belly up. Revive them as best you can. Specks can be picked up in good numbers at most all the gas rigs at the south end of the Bay. Tight lined or drift with a split shot works for me. A lot use slip corks which also work well. Be sure to add enough weight to your slip corks to keep your bait at the planned depth.

 Keep in mind that most gas rigs will have a few boats on them when you get there so move slowly (no wake) and never DROP your anchor, just slid it in and respect the casting distance from the other boats. If you are on a rig and another boat pulls up try to give him some room. Boaters do not own the water, nor the rigs, nor the fish. All of that stuff belongs to all of us. I’ve seen some very angry men on a boat at a gas rig fighting over fishing room. Everyone will lose in that situation. It’s best to just maintain your cool and enjoy the day.

 White trout should start stacking up on the gas rigs and man made reefs in the Bay real soon. These fish will bite anything and can be caught in really big numbers. They can be as long as 17 inches. Most are smaller but all eat great. Be sure to catch only what you can clean and eat in a few days.

 The flounder up at the north end of the Bay will start their movement south this month. They should be around anything built out form the beach on the eastern shore.  Fish any pier or bulk head you come across and pay really close attention to all the rigs you fish. Work the down current side with shrimp, small bait fish, or plastics all on a Carolina Rig. Keep a wide deep net on board and remember that flounder have some sharp teeth and can cut mono pretty easily. Try hard not to snag some ones pier while you fish it. Hooks on piers are rough on bare-footed kids.

 This month is the start of my favorite time to fish in Alabama. The fall months are cooler and loaded with great fishing days. Always know the law and fishing limits, be aware of other boats and fishermen, try to be kind and slip your anchor in, and always stay safe and dry. Take a kid fishing. Capt. Don 251-550-5418 or backbayfishingwithdon.com.