Found in America's second best fisherman desperately tries to land one.

The Local Secrets
• Every area of the country has its own fishing tips and tricks, even for the same kinds of fish, so ask the local bait shop for suggestions about where to fish and which tackle to use.

• If you see a fisherman land a big catch, note the tackle and bait he used. You never know, sometimes lightning does strike twice. And be sure to congratulate him.

• If you catch a fish you don't recognize, ask a neighboring fisherman what it is. Fishermen usually like to talk about fish, and we've even received tips for cooking, smoking or filleting our catch.

More than a Hook and Line
• Bring an old towel when you go fishing. You can use it wipe off your hands after handling bait, but it's also handy when handling fish, especially the varieties with stingers on their dorsal fins.

• Make sure to carry an old, well-used, multi-purpose tool, like a Leatherman, Gerber or Swiss Army knife in your fishing kit. Use an older one because everything in the fishing kit will eventually get sandy or rusty or covered in gunk.

• Your multi-purpose tool should have pliers for removing hooks from fish, scissors for cutting fishing line and a sharp knife for cutting bait. A bottle opener doesn't hurt either, especially if the fish aren't biting.

• Carry a ruler or tape measure along with you to measure your catch to make sure you meet the size restrictions.

• Also, carry a waterproof card with pictures of different types of fish, so you know what you're catching when fishing unfamiliar waters. Look for plastic rulers with illustrations of the major game fishes printed right on them.

I'd Rather Have a Bad Day Fishing?
• Shore fishing is great, because even if you never catch a fish, you can at least enjoy a beautiful day the beach.

• To fish from shore, you need a good size weight to keep your line and bait from getting tossed back onto the beach by the waves. We use a spider weight — it has prongs on it that hold it in the sand.

Fish Police
• Every state has its own set of confusing and extensive fishing regulations. If you haven't fished in a certain state, take a minute to look at the regulations, especially the bag and length limits.

• Some states have free fishing days, when a license is not required to fish. For example, the first weekend in April is free fishing in Florida. Check the fishing regulations for the state you want to visit to find out if they have a similar program.

• Non-resident fishing licenses can be very expensive but are worth purchasing. The fines for fishing without a license can be 10 to 20 times the cost of a license.

• Fishing off Alabama's gulf coast offers opportunities to pier, boat, dock and shore fish. The week-long, non-resident fishing license is inexpensive compared to surrounding states.

Contact Info

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
64 North Union Street
Montgomery, Al 36130
Licenses by Phone
888-848-6887
Conservation Information and Education
800-262-3151