Misn 1

I've only been fishing offshore a couple of times now (Cobia 23' WA w/200 Yam) out of Perdido Pass (Orange Beach). Both times out we saw several schools of baitfish of top of the water around the buoy. I am asking several questions here;

1) Anyone have any idea what they might be?

2) If so, are they good to use for bottom fishing (or trolling)?

3) Can they be caught with a cast net?

4) Is their presence at the surface a sign of pedatory fish below them and should I try to fish around or under the school?

So far, I have only used frozen cigs and squid on a couple of the wrecks. We caught some good fish but I think I'm hooked better than any of the fish we caught. I can't get it outta my mind! Any help is appeciated.

jamessig

http://shrimpin.com/bait_fish_identification.htm

1) Probably herring, LY's(alewives) orsardinesbut could becigar minnows, hardtails, small bonitos, glass minnowsetc.

2) If they are big enough then they are good baits for trolling or bottom fishing. In my book bigger is better with the exception of bonito. Big bonito make excellent chunk bait though.

3) Maybe, the question here isif they will let you get close enough to throw a net on them. A sabiki rig should work also.

4) When there is a school of baitfish balled up there are usually some predators around, however fishing under or around them may not be a good idea depending on circumstances. If there is a lot of, or really any,traffic around it's avery bad idea.

fishyfingers

Jamessig is correct, the bait fishes outside perdido pass are most likely to be sardines (scaled or spanish), atlantic bumpers (crazyfish), hardtails (blue runners) of various sizes, and often schools of tiny glass minnows and anchovies. Cigs are an uncommon catch there but they can be found if the water is clear. The best way to net them is with a wide, heavy net. Get ahead of them and shut down the motor and drift into them. Do this only after you have tossed small spoons or flashy jigs around the outside of the school for a while to catch spanish, ladyfish, specks and reds, and bigger hardtails and even kings. Try to get a look at what they are first, if you load a 12 foot net with anchovies or small sardines or pogies that become gilled you could be pulling mangled fish out of your mesh for hours.