Giant king mackerel that often weigh from 20- to 40-pounds each will invade Alabama's Gulf Coast during October and November, as will big red snapper, migratory birds returning to Central America, tons of shrimp, some of the fastest saltwater power boats on earth, Bon Jovi and Brad Paisley. They're all coming to Alabama's Gulf Coast this month, which starts off with the beginning of the new fall red snapper season on October 1 and runs through 12:01 am on November 22. Having had very-little fishing pressure because of the spring oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the red snapper have stacked-up so thick on the more than 5,000 artificial reefs off Alabama's Gulf Coast that anglers who go out for as long as 4 hours easily will catch their limits of red snapper, triggerfish, white snapper and vermilion snapper. Plenty of boats and captains are available during this new fall season.
Anglers on the Gulf State Park Pier, the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico, already are catching 20-pound-plus king mackerel and 5- to 7-pound Spanish mackerel. The record king for this pier in Gulf Shores, Alabama, weighed just over 40 pounds, and anglers fishing over some of the larger reefs like the "Liberty" ships sunk out in the gulf, consistently catch 30- to 40-pounders.
Here are some upcoming events at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
* On October 7-10, the 39th Annual Shrimp Festival will take place in Gulf Shores, a 4-day event that attracts over 300,000 people and features two musical stages with national recording artists, as well as local favorites. Youngsters will enjoy the Children's Activity Village. Numbers of arts and crafts will be on display with an abundance of fresh seafood to eat, including tons of shrimp. For more information, visit www.gulf-shores-shrimp-festival.com, or call 251-968-4237.
* On October 12-17th, the Gulf Coast Power Boat Association will present its 2010 Thunder on the Gulf, an event that includes power boat races, parties, poker runs and free concerts for an exciting, power-packed weekend. Go to www.thunderonthegulf.com, or call 251-974-4612 to learn more.
* For those seeking more quiet and solitude and a chance to view some of the most-beautiful and unusual bird life in North America, the Fall Bird Banding will take place October 9-21 at the Fort Morgan Historical Site at Gulf Shores, Alabama. Fort Morgan is the departure site for birds migrating from North America to Central and South America. You'll have an opportunity to not only see these birds but to watch them being captured, banded and released. For more information, visit www.hummingbirdsplus.org.
* On October 15th, Bon Jovi comes to the Gulf Shores Public Beach for a free ticketed concert, followed by country and western star, Brad Paisley on October 17th. Come, and enjoy fishing, music, delicious seafood and the beauty of nature as well as the sounds of America's greatest recording artists. Visit www.concertsforthecoast.com to learn more.
To learn more, go to www.gulfshores.com, or call Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism at 800-745-SAND (7263). For more information on fishing and charter boats go to the What's Biting section at www.gulfshores.com/fishing/.
