The Year of the Cobia in Orange Beach, Alabama Fishing Charters
The 2011 Fishing Season has been incredible for a few of Orange Beach,Alabama's Charter Fishermen. After last years BP Oil Spill, nobody on Alabama's gulf coast, including Charter Fishermen really knew what to expect this year. The fears have subsided and there are two Alabama Gulf Coast Charter Boats that are seeing an increase in bookings over any previous years past. These two offshore charter fishing companies are busy as they can be and are catching a record number of Cobia. These magnificent fish are usually only caught during the spring migration during March and April each year. This year has been amazing so far and people are loving it.
Historically, the Cobia migrate from the Atlantic and enter the Gulf of Mexico around Key West and work their way up and around the Florida Panhandle and into Alabama waters the second week in March each year. Cobia fishing is a local captains hay day because it doesn't take a lot of fuel to idle along the coast line catching these fish on their way to Louisiana waters to spawn. This year, we have seen a record number of Cobia on Alabama's Public Reef System during the summer months. This is highly unusual and can only be attributed to the massive flood waters from up north, pushing down the Mississippi River and into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mobile Bay has also contributed to the massive outflow of fresh water also.
We believe the Cobia fishing in Orange Beach, Alabama is good because of the salinity change near Lousiana and the fish are searching for water that is more salty. This phenomenon is unusual, but is really a blessing in disguise for Alabama Charter Boat Captains' Troy Frady of Distraction Charters and Johnny Greene of Intimidator Sportfishing. These two professional fishing guides are taking advantage of the Cobia fishing being so good and are able to offer their 6 hour trip anglers a little bit of variety of fish species in addition to the Red Snapper that everyone is used to catching. Most of the Cobia that are being caught are anywhere from 20 to 28 inches in length. They have to be 33 inches fork length to keep them. At this time, we are catching 5 to 7 undersized fish for every keeper. No matter what size they are, they offer a great display of acrobatic jumping and tugging on a fishing line. The keeper Cobia are weighing between 20 and 30 pounds each.
Normally, a short 6 hour fishing charter, fishing boats like the Distraction and the Intimidator, run some two hours offshore before they begin fishing. The trolling fishing for King Mackerel has not been as good as in recent years, but they are being caught. The Cobia fish showing up, make an exciting Red Snapper fishing trip, extraordinary. The Cobia are acrobats of the sea and are really a great sportfish to catch. If you are wanting to experience a fishing charter that is fun, charter a trip with one of these boats this summer and you will almost certainly be pleased with the results. Each of these saltwater fishing guides has a wonderful reputation and are great for families with kids of all ages. The Distraction carries a maximum of 6 passengers and the Intimidator carries 7 passengers up to 20, depending on the length of charter taken. One thing for sure, the word is out and these guys stay booked up. So, if you want to experience some top notch saltwater fishing charter in Orange Beach, Fort Morgan or Gulf Shores this summer, you need to get with these guys quickly. You will be glad you did.
