Little Lagoon - Gulf Shores, AL

[crosshairy]

Originally Posted by GO-OKFISHIN

Can you still get to the mouth where it enters Little lagoon? I heard there was no place to park. I will be there July 4th. If it was anything like last year I probably won't leave the beach where we are staying.

They have a temporary parking lot set up while they do work on the channel walls (which were deteriorating pretty badly). I'd bet a few dollars that it's money that came from the BP remediation fund, since that area was overrun with earth moving equipment back then.

As far as the access goes, you park at the temporary lot, which is slightly to the north of the old one, and walk towards the lagoon side of the pass. Shoreline access does not extend towards the bridge, and the area where the showers/bathroom was is all closed off for work area. There's a good bit of shoreline on the lagoon side and part of the actual "pass" from that access point that is fish-able. My dad, brother, and I fished there for a while. The path to the water is about 10' wide. Although the walk to the water is slightly farther than before, it is definitely possible to carry/drag a kayak to the water from that lot.

As you recall, you used to be able to walk along the shore, beneath the bridge, and along the wall of the pass to the beach. This is not currently possible. We just back-tracked to the parking lot, walked across the street, and then walked along the construction fence barricade to reach the beach-side of the pass. Where the sheet pilings end along the wall, there's a ~40-foot section of the pass that is sand-lined where you can still fish in the current. We caught all of our black drum and bluefish from this spot.

Truth be told, I'm not 100% sure that this is intended to be a beach/surf access point, but we hugged the side of the construction barricade and avoided entering the neighboring house's "yard". The house (on the SE corner of the pass) is undergoing construction, and the workers there chatted with us as we walked past carrying our fish. Hopefully the use of that area doesn't turn up any problems.

KEEP IN MIND that with the construction at the pass, the sheet pilings have made the walls slightly narrower than before, which increases the velocity of the water flowing through. I would take care to time your return trip when the tide is not roaring out, because I'm not sure that you could make it without using a push-pole. I had a pompano rig with a 2-ounce pyramid sinker on it that wouldn't touch the bottom in that current, so paddling against it is probably not possible.

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Thanks for the update. No I don't take my Kayak down there. It is crazy to see that water ripping through there. I cant imagine it with it being narrower. The last few years I have not had to venture farther than in front of the Phoenix 6 where we stay. Schools of Blues, Spanish, Ladyfish everywhere and occasional Pompano, Flounder and Redfish and plenty of sharks. Yes I know it is illegal to land them in Alabama but just saying what do ya do if you hook one? . Last year there were huge schools of baitfish the entire week we were there. Fish were in the jumps for 4-5 hours at a time.I also heard that you can't get under the Perdido Brige on the Florida side. That was always a good spot.

[jad2t]

I'm envisioning floating across very shallow grass flats searching for tailing redfish. That's what I remember best from the days of fishing Flamingo. Does this occur in the Little Lagoon or is the environment a bit different? For sentimental value, it's a big deal to me that I land a redfish. I'm sure the specks won't be hard to find and I plan to get into them and hopefully bring home a meal for me and the wife one night but really my goal is to land a redfish from my kayak. I know they don't get too big in there but I'm not after a trophy. A 20 incher would make me happy, happy, happy.

[crosshairy]

regarding the grass flats, I have never personally seen them tailing in the grass in the Lagoon, but most of the condos are in the central portion of the Lagoon. The East quarter or so of the Lagoon has substantially more vegetation on the banks than the central part (especially the south east end). Ironically, the closer you get to the big highway intersection, the more it starts looking like classic redfish habitat.

I have zero experience with actually fishing that end, I've just looked at the water from behind the shops and such.

I've cast-netted a few shrimp against the grass at the last place we stayed, which was the farthest east i've ever stayed on the Lagoon. It definitely looked like a spot that could hold some redfish and specks.

If you look at a satellite image, notice how the bank gets a lot more irregular with cuts and foliage on the SE portion of the lagoon. Those are the areas that I'm referring to. If you happen to go that way and do any good, let me know. I don't see myself doing a kayak trip in the Lagoon anytime soon, but you may change my mind.

[jad2t]

Yea I see that area you're talking about. Looks like I'll be padding my way there. I don't know yet exactly where the condo is that we're renting so I hope it's not too far away. There's a restaurant that will cook your catch so hopefully I can bring in a few specks or reds for me and my wife to dine on.

[Saltwaterwalt]

Just got back from Ft. Morgan today. Spent the past two weeks there. Fishing was great the first week, fizzled out a bit the second when fronts and rain started coming through and some really low tides. But in a nutshell, fishing from my kayak was good in Mobile Bay, there's an access along the road as you're heading to Ft. Morgan on the right. The early a.m. was best for specks. I did go with a local one night fishing the same are, but near lighted docks and we hooked some big reds, but both of the ones I hooked took me into the pilings and it was game over. We fished little lagoon, launching by the construction site where the pass is. They are leaving it open with some parking so you can get in there and launch. The speck/flounder bite is good in the early a.m., I watched the sun come up a few times and the surface action was great. Bomber Boink-a-Donks in gold were the hot lure. I also beach fished anytime there was a north wind, which lays the beach surf right down. I flyfished and spinfished and had equal luck on plenty of blue runners and ladyfish. You can access the beach on Mobile Street. You could wheel a yak out there, but I just waded to my chest and it got me out into the action. Shuffle those feet, plenty of door mat stingrays around, but the water is gin clear so you can see them, and them you...they leave you alone and go on their way. I love that area, can't wait to get back again. Photo on Little Lagoon, the pass.

[Travis C.]

Nice report Walt. I am ready for a trip back that way as well.

You fishing the tourney next month? I am not this year and haven't heard a peep anywhere from bd. Surely he will find time to.

[Saltwaterwalt]

Oh yeah, wouldn't miss fishing the carp tourney at Fly South. BD will be there as well, time to put the pressure on ... LOL.

[GO-OKFISHIN]

I'm leaving tomorrow. Cant wait. Be there for 10 days.

[jad2t]

Originally Posted by GO-OKFISHIN

I'm leaving tomorrow. Cant wait. Be there for 10 days.

Good luck!! Save a few redfish for me to catch because I leave in 21 days!

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Well I just got back. Worst week of fishing I've had in 20 years down there. no schools running, no sand fleas. I had a shot at 1 school of Spanish but they were moving too fast. I finally resorted to soaking shrimp and caught 2 Lady fish, 2 small sharks and a catfish. Guys at J & M Tackle said it was bad everywhere, even the pier. Tides were good but North winds for several days. Oh well. I fished 5-6 hours a day also. I was at Florabama bar on July 4th though for the Miss Firecracker Bikini contest. . Sorry no pictures.

[jad2t]

Well I hate to hear that. You were fishing the Gulf side though, right? I'm not sure if I want to get the yak out there or not. I plan to stay in the Lagoon but if it sucks I may venture out into the blue water and see what I can get into. I leave tomorrow, hopefully I'll have good pictures when I return.

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Yea I just fished the Gulf. Got lazy and just stayed in front of the condo. Hard to leave the tent and cold beer.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by jad2t

I'm not sure if I want to get the yak out there or not.

Go for it Jimmy. Sharks eating kayak fishermen is an urban myth.

I am gonna play in the water a night this weekend...cold water.

[jad2t]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

Go for it Jimmy. Sharks eating kayak fishermen is an urban myth.

I am gonna play in the water a night this weekend...cold water.

I mean.. I've never had a kayak fisherman tell me he was eaten by a shark so as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't happen.

Have fun in the Caney Fork and good luck! I may get out there Tuesday July 29th for an overnight trip. You're welcome to join.