| NOTICE! This is a reminder about the change to the "No Wake" zones in the Orange Beach, AL, area. In June of 2015, the area in Cotton Bayou near Zekes Marina was changed to No Wake / Idle Speed, then almost a year later, the last stretch of waterway from Jubilee Landing to the Florida state line on Old River has been included as a No Wake / Idle Speed Zone. Now, as of this spring, 2019, Terry Cove will be included in the NO WAKE zoned area. |
Buccaneers were privateers who attacked Spanish shipping in the Caribbean sea during the late 17th Century. The term buccaneer is now generally used as a synonym for pirate. Originally, buccaneer is
derived from the French word "boucanier", which loosely translates as "someone who smokes meat" and which in turn comes from the native American "bukan". The Caribbean Arawak used this word,
"bukan" or "buccan" to describe a sort of grill which they smoked meat on, preferably Manatee. It was a wooden framed device was also used by French hunters to smoke meat like feral (wild) cattle and
pigs- they were called "boucanier".
In the first quarter of the 1600s, some Frenchmen who were driven away from the island of Hispaniola fled to nearby Tortuga. The Spaniards tried to drive them out of Tortuga, but the buccaneers were
joined by many other French, Dutch and English and turned to piracy against Spanish shipping, generally using small craft to attack galleons (sailing ships) in the Caribbean. They would often attack at
night, and climb aboard before the alarm could be raised. Buccaneers were expert marksmen and would quickly kill the helmsman and any officers aboard. Buccaneers' reputation as cruel pirates grew
until most victims would surrender, hoping they would not be killed. Finally they became so strong that they even sailed to the mainland of Spanish America and attacked cities.
English settlers occupying Jamaica began to spread the name buccaneers and associated it with the meaning of pirates. Viewed from London, buccaneering was a low-budget way to wage war on
England's rival, Spain. So, the English crown empowered buccaneers with letters of marque, legalizing their operations in return for a share of their profits. The buccaneers were invited by Jamaica's
Governor Thomas Modyford to base ships at Port Royal, located on Palisadoes on the south of Jamaca. The buccaneers robbed Spanish shipping and colonies, and returned to Port Royal with their
plunder, making the city the most prosperous in the Caribbean. There were even English navy officers sent to lead the buccaneers, such as Christopher Myngs. Their activities went on irrespective of
whether England happened to be at war with Spain or France.
Although we don't conduct privateering operations, we do like taking small craft and harassing scaley marine life and local waterways (so to speak). Puns and joking aside, we are strong supporters of
conservation and maritime courtesy. We hope you enjoy our website and may have learned something in the process. Mike
derived from the French word "boucanier", which loosely translates as "someone who smokes meat" and which in turn comes from the native American "bukan". The Caribbean Arawak used this word,
"bukan" or "buccan" to describe a sort of grill which they smoked meat on, preferably Manatee. It was a wooden framed device was also used by French hunters to smoke meat like feral (wild) cattle and
pigs- they were called "boucanier".
In the first quarter of the 1600s, some Frenchmen who were driven away from the island of Hispaniola fled to nearby Tortuga. The Spaniards tried to drive them out of Tortuga, but the buccaneers were
joined by many other French, Dutch and English and turned to piracy against Spanish shipping, generally using small craft to attack galleons (sailing ships) in the Caribbean. They would often attack at
night, and climb aboard before the alarm could be raised. Buccaneers were expert marksmen and would quickly kill the helmsman and any officers aboard. Buccaneers' reputation as cruel pirates grew
until most victims would surrender, hoping they would not be killed. Finally they became so strong that they even sailed to the mainland of Spanish America and attacked cities.
English settlers occupying Jamaica began to spread the name buccaneers and associated it with the meaning of pirates. Viewed from London, buccaneering was a low-budget way to wage war on
England's rival, Spain. So, the English crown empowered buccaneers with letters of marque, legalizing their operations in return for a share of their profits. The buccaneers were invited by Jamaica's
Governor Thomas Modyford to base ships at Port Royal, located on Palisadoes on the south of Jamaca. The buccaneers robbed Spanish shipping and colonies, and returned to Port Royal with their
plunder, making the city the most prosperous in the Caribbean. There were even English navy officers sent to lead the buccaneers, such as Christopher Myngs. Their activities went on irrespective of
whether England happened to be at war with Spain or France.
Although we don't conduct privateering operations, we do like taking small craft and harassing scaley marine life and local waterways (so to speak). Puns and joking aside, we are strong supporters of
conservation and maritime courtesy. We hope you enjoy our website and may have learned something in the process. Mike
| Questions, comments, or just want to send us an email?? mike@badonskybuccaneers.com, or teresa@badonskybuccaneers.com. |
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| Please note! Some of our features may not be viewable on portable platforms (IPad, notebooks, etc) |
| Planning a trip to our area?? Need to plan your accommodations? Then look no further. Complete your bookings right here! |
| Helpful Quick Links! |
| Covering the Alabama Gulf Coast from Ft Morgan to Perdido Key! Click on the OBAVR logo above, or go to www.obavr.com |
Welcome to the Coastal Alabama Anglers Website. Providing all kinds of useful information- it is a work in progress, so
keep coming back to see what's been added. We also share some of our video adventures here.
keep coming back to see what's been added. We also share some of our video adventures here.
| Bait and Tackle Shop Locations There are 5 places locally that regularly sell live bait. But call ahead, because availability might vary. These bait and tackle shops are also on our interactive map (above). Here is a listing of local tackle shops in Baldwin County. |
- J&M Tackle, 25150 Canal Rd, Orange Beach,
AL, (251) 981-5460, typically open 5AM- 5PM.
Large variety of live and frozen baits
- Lost Bay Tackle, 25405 Perdido Beach Blvd,
Orange Beach, AL, (251) 981-3811
Winter Hrs- Open 6:00AM- 6:00PM 7 days a week.
- Hooked Up Bait & Tackle, 100 E 20th Street,
Gulf Shores, AL (251) 955-5550
Open 6:00AM- 7:00PM 7 days a week
- Sam's Stop and Shop, 27122 Canal Rd,
Orange Beach, AL (251) 981-4245
5:00AM- 9:00PM - NO LIVE BAIT, but quite an
assortment of frozen baits and lots of tackle
-Capt Fraiser's Live Bait Kiosk- 24 hrs a day.
19905 Co Rd 10, Foley, AL- behind the Shell gas
station.
AL, (251) 981-5460, typically open 5AM- 5PM.
Large variety of live and frozen baits
- Lost Bay Tackle, 25405 Perdido Beach Blvd,
Orange Beach, AL, (251) 981-3811
Winter Hrs- Open 6:00AM- 6:00PM 7 days a week.
- Hooked Up Bait & Tackle, 100 E 20th Street,
Gulf Shores, AL (251) 955-5550
Open 6:00AM- 7:00PM 7 days a week
- Sam's Stop and Shop, 27122 Canal Rd,
Orange Beach, AL (251) 981-4245
5:00AM- 9:00PM - NO LIVE BAIT, but quite an
assortment of frozen baits and lots of tackle
-Capt Fraiser's Live Bait Kiosk- 24 hrs a day.
19905 Co Rd 10, Foley, AL- behind the Shell gas
station.
| Work at the old Ft Morgan Fishing Wharf and Boat Launch |
| You can also get it on the Outdoor Alabama Website at: www.outdooralabama.com |
| The New ICW Boat Launch Facility is in the Planning Stages |
| December, 2020 The Ft. Morgan Public access boat launch now has one ramp available for limited use. The eastern most ramp has been cleared of debris and sand (courtesy of Hurricane Sally), but the basin has NOT been dredged or cleared of debris. Boaters may use the ramp at their own risk. MRD is working on the contracting requirements to have the basin dredged and will make an announcement when that is complete. However- During these winter days when the tides are exceptionally low- we would recommend you avoiding using it altogether right now (file photo). |
| Bait, Tackle, Fuel, Deli, and so much more 27122 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561 |
| Those dreaded wind knots!! What produces them?- And how do you keep from getting them?- |
Latest news on the making of the largest boat
launch facility on the Alabama gulf coast! The
County now owns this property adjacent to the
Foley Beach Exoley Beach Express Bridge and
is proceeding with plans for the large public
boat launch thanks to state GOMESA funding.
Hopefully this project will be quick in
construction.
It appears this may be at least a 2 stage
project- with the construction of the ramps and
phase 1 parking, finger piers, picnic and car
parking to be completed first (no date given),
and the 2nd phase to provide additional
parking for both cars and vehicle/ trailers with
a secondary restroom facility and additional
picnic area.
We will share more details as they become
available.
launch facility on the Alabama gulf coast! The
County now owns this property adjacent to the
Foley Beach Exoley Beach Express Bridge and
is proceeding with plans for the large public
boat launch thanks to state GOMESA funding.
Hopefully this project will be quick in
construction.
It appears this may be at least a 2 stage
project- with the construction of the ramps and
phase 1 parking, finger piers, picnic and car
parking to be completed first (no date given),
and the 2nd phase to provide additional
parking for both cars and vehicle/ trailers with
a secondary restroom facility and additional
picnic area.
We will share more details as they become
available.
| Perdido Pass Dredging to Resume January 2021!! |
January 2021
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' dredging contractor
will resume dredging Perdido Pass this month, January
2021, as part of a job that began about a year ago.
Weather permitting, the work is expected to take about
a month to complete. Equipment should already be
moving onto the Perdido Pass area during this week,
January 4, 2021.
Heavy equipment will be on the beach, on the west side
of the pass. The public is asked to be cautious and
maintain a safe distance from these work areas,
especially in the vicinity of heavy equipment and
discharge pipes. Boaters are also asked to maintain a
safe distance from the dredging equipment in the
water- which will also be marked at night.
 |
View Badonsky Buccaneers in a larger map
You can also view this map in a new "tab" in full screen for easier viewing and exploring the area- by clicking on the "box" over the
upper right hand corner of the map. This map not only includes boat launches, but also good kayak / canoe parks, beach access
points, some bait and tackle shops, and a few stores which sell marine grade fuels. This is an interactive map, and a work in progress.
Please contact me at mike@badonskybuccaneers.com with any comments, or concerning any discrepancies.
upper right hand corner of the map. This map not only includes boat launches, but also good kayak / canoe parks, beach access
points, some bait and tackle shops, and a few stores which sell marine grade fuels. This is an interactive map, and a work in progress.
Please contact me at mike@badonskybuccaneers.com with any comments, or concerning any discrepancies.
| Ask for Chris Vecsey at the tackle counter in back! |
Even Though the Gulf Shores Pier is
Closed- You must still Follow the "Rules".
Closed- You must still Follow the "Rules".
Did you know?- There is a 100
yard minimum distance any
vessel must keep from a
public fishing pier. Some
states may require more!
And even though the
Gulf Shores fishing pier is
closed for renovation, this law
is being enforced!
Photos courtesy of Ellis Cattan. Follow him
on his FaceBook group “Cajun at GS Pier”
yard minimum distance any
vessel must keep from a
public fishing pier. Some
states may require more!
And even though the
Gulf Shores fishing pier is
closed for renovation, this law
is being enforced!
Photos courtesy of Ellis Cattan. Follow him
on his FaceBook group “Cajun at GS Pier”
Pay To Park Coming To Orange Beach, AL
January, 2021
Some of you may have noticed some new parking lot kiosk
equipment at some of the Orange Beach beach state parking
facilities. The state pay meters will not be active until later this year
and details on rates and how the system will work, are yet to be
finalized.
The Alabama State Park system is the owner of the meters and has
discussed charging for parking for many years.
The City and State will be working out details in the coming weeks.
Please watch for further details in future communications from the
City of Orange Beach or state as details evolve. This project has
nothing to do with the City of Gulf Shores where they own most of
their beach accesses as a city.
On a separate note- The City of Orange Beach currently has no city-
owned beach access with parking, but is working on the purchase
400’ of beach front property with a total width of 800’ for a future
resident and public beach access just west of the intersection of
Hwy. 161. This is a collaboration with a restaurant group to develop
the property.
Some of you may have noticed some new parking lot kiosk
equipment at some of the Orange Beach beach state parking
facilities. The state pay meters will not be active until later this year
and details on rates and how the system will work, are yet to be
finalized.
The Alabama State Park system is the owner of the meters and has
discussed charging for parking for many years.
The City and State will be working out details in the coming weeks.
Please watch for further details in future communications from the
City of Orange Beach or state as details evolve. This project has
nothing to do with the City of Gulf Shores where they own most of
their beach accesses as a city.
On a separate note- The City of Orange Beach currently has no city-
owned beach access with parking, but is working on the purchase
400’ of beach front property with a total width of 800’ for a future
resident and public beach access just west of the intersection of
Hwy. 161. This is a collaboration with a restaurant group to develop
the property.
December 1, 2020
Our Friend Christopher Vecsey had this to say on those irritating
line bunnies!!
“Wind knots are caused by several factors and the party that
contributes the most is the angler.
A wind knot is caused by loose coils of line, usually underneath
the top layers. Sometimes they’re there from improper tension
while spooling, especially with braid. Other times, and very often
the case, it’s from improperly loading the rod during a cast
especially when using rods that are rated for heavier baits and
lures. The angler often compensates for the lighter lure by
whipping the rod faster on the cast. The rod still doesn’t load
well despite the faster cast and the lure accelerates very rapidly
and decelerates rapidly. As the lure slows and the line backs
onto itself, it pushes loose coils on the underlying layers. On top
of that, many anglers won’t close the bail right when the lure is
about to land which means the first turns of the handle will take
on several extremely loose coils of line. It’s that next cast when
it happens. That light lure or that whippy cast or that loosely
packed line cause those underlying coils to throw all at once and
“THWAT” that dreaded sound of a man-made spiderweb lol.
Solutions are easy:
-Don’t overfill your reels. You don’t need that extra 20yds for that
big bad speckled trout. He ain’t gonna spool you. Leaving a good
1/8” gap between spool lip and line helps tremendously.
-Pay attention to your rods ratings. If throwing braid, use lures
that are in the top half of the lure weight ratings, not the bottom
half and definitely don’t throw lighter than the lowest suggested
rating.
-Close your bail (by hand) when the lure is almost touching down.
This puts tension on the line immediately which means your
retrieve isn’t soft packing the line.
-STOP DOING THOSE WHIPPY CASTS!!!! Jesus.....
You’ll throw further and more accurately using smoother, more
deliberate casts.
This is a common question we get in the shop a lot so I figured
I’d elaborate.”
Chris is an excellent fishing guide and source for all things
aquatic- and can be found at Sam’s Stop and Shop, 27122 Canal
Rd, Orange
Beach, AL- the
Fish Guru! This
is an excerpt
from his post on
the Saltwater
Fishing Report
FaceBook page-
check them out!!
Our Friend Christopher Vecsey had this to say on those irritating
line bunnies!!
“Wind knots are caused by several factors and the party that
contributes the most is the angler.
A wind knot is caused by loose coils of line, usually underneath
the top layers. Sometimes they’re there from improper tension
while spooling, especially with braid. Other times, and very often
the case, it’s from improperly loading the rod during a cast
especially when using rods that are rated for heavier baits and
lures. The angler often compensates for the lighter lure by
whipping the rod faster on the cast. The rod still doesn’t load
well despite the faster cast and the lure accelerates very rapidly
and decelerates rapidly. As the lure slows and the line backs
onto itself, it pushes loose coils on the underlying layers. On top
of that, many anglers won’t close the bail right when the lure is
about to land which means the first turns of the handle will take
on several extremely loose coils of line. It’s that next cast when
it happens. That light lure or that whippy cast or that loosely
packed line cause those underlying coils to throw all at once and
“THWAT” that dreaded sound of a man-made spiderweb lol.
Solutions are easy:
-Don’t overfill your reels. You don’t need that extra 20yds for that
big bad speckled trout. He ain’t gonna spool you. Leaving a good
1/8” gap between spool lip and line helps tremendously.
-Pay attention to your rods ratings. If throwing braid, use lures
that are in the top half of the lure weight ratings, not the bottom
half and definitely don’t throw lighter than the lowest suggested
rating.
-Close your bail (by hand) when the lure is almost touching down.
This puts tension on the line immediately which means your
retrieve isn’t soft packing the line.
-STOP DOING THOSE WHIPPY CASTS!!!! Jesus.....
You’ll throw further and more accurately using smoother, more
deliberate casts.
This is a common question we get in the shop a lot so I figured
I’d elaborate.”
Chris is an excellent fishing guide and source for all things
aquatic- and can be found at Sam’s Stop and Shop, 27122 Canal
Rd, Orange
Beach, AL- the
Fish Guru! This
is an excerpt
from his post on
the Saltwater
Fishing Report
FaceBook page-
check them out!!