As our vacation took us through Alabama, we were greeted with Southern charm. Green waves splashed upon thirty-two miles of white Gulf sand, with a twelve-mile strip of uniquely Alabamian shops and restaurants.

This coastline is no longer the quiet space to fish, but is now full of attractions, although they have added a back-in-time historical trail of the Civil War. There is an abundance of attractions here -- seems they have something for everyone.

However, Alabama’s fee for saltwater fishing is $16 annually, while our Florida fee is $31.50. But we are not as high as Louisiana, which is $90. The annual fee in Mississippi is a little more than Florida at $33.85.

Catches were more or less the same as here in Florida. Redfish, flounder, grouper, tarpon, sheeps­head, spanish mackerel, and pompano were the majority of catches.
Orange Beach boasts that it is the fishing captial of Alabama, ­offering great fishing and a world of amenities. Saw a charter boat here with fees starting at $60 per person. They are located at Zeke’s Landing at Orange Beach.

Alabama is known for its Southern cooking and its hospitality. We experienced mean greens, fried green tomatoes, barbeque ribs, oysters, shrimp, fish of all types, banana pudding, pralines, and crawfish pie to name a few.

As we left Alabama, a warm ­welcome awaited us in Mississippi with its echoes of the Civil War, which was found almost everywhere. The sweet smell of magnolias is prevalent. It is known for its catfish and cotton and don’t forget the Delta Blues, a distinctive folksy music, with a beat all its own.

It was here that we changed our watches to a Central time zone. Our cell phones change time without our assistance.


If you are a Civil War buff, this is the state to visit -- a reminder of this war is everywhere. War cries and cannon shots have given way to today’s world of yells from jackpots and the rattle of dice as Mississippi Gulf Coast has ­become a little Las Vegas.

The casinos were the first buildings to be rebuilt after Katrina hit in 2005, as this put many people back to work and built back Mississippi’s economy. Mississippi is also the home state of the King of Rock Elvis Presley.

Big hurricane Katrina has left its mark in all parts of Mississippi and so much of the destruction is still there. Miles of its coastline are still cluttered with hurricane ­debris with some renovation slowly ­taking place.

We spent two nights in Mississippi with the weather about the same as it is in Ruskin. We walked the white sandy beaches along the Gulf all by ourselves. Guess everyone else was in the casinos.

Ciera, age 13, Jonie’s granddaughter, enjoys the swimming pool in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Our stay in Biloxi found several casinos rebuilt, with others displaying signs on sites of destruction that they will rebuild. The coast of Biloxi was more or less left with miles of destruction; the average person thinks that Louisiana was the only place destroyed. You have to travel this coast to see just how bad the Mississippi Coast was hit. The old lighthouse on Highway 90 is still standing.

The small town of Belzoni proclaims that it is the Catfish Capital of the World. It is known for its catfish farms.

The most popular activity outdoors in Mississippi is FISHING, according to the state’s PR. Its great Mississippi River, salt water and fresh water lakes, ­bayous, and marshes make it an ideal place to fish.

This state has more than 150 ­different species of freshwater fish. You will find true Southern hospitality here as Mississippi ­anglers will show you where and how to catch their fish.

Their catfish is Southern fried and their hush puppies are made with yellow cornmeal. They have crawfish pie, and don’t leave without tasting their sweet potato pie. Every meal is served with a legacy of Southern grace.

We attended the Mississippi State Fair. We were told that this was the first year it was held since Katrina of 2005 and it will be ­better next year.

For many years we visited Giant’s Fish Camp in Gibsonton and always enjoyed our visits with Jeannie, who could always tell me the latest in the fish world. She knew who was catching fish and what kind of bait they used, as well as telling me how to cook them. I’m happy that Mosaic plans to erect a remembrance in honor of Al and Jeannie Tomarini on the site of the old fish camp.

Bait shop chatter reveals the happenings at Cockroach Bay. Will they or will they not make a pole-only zone?

The rainy days this week have made it too wet for fishing. Those that went in the early mornings caught a lot of drum and catfish.

The usual beef is about gas ­being too high to buy for their boats. Some complaints about airboats in the river, saying they ­belong in the swamps. Others wish that snook season would open.

We are the lightning capital of the world, so mind the weather and fish together.
-- Aleta Jonie Maschek is a ­member of Florida Outdoor Press­.

© Copyright 2008 by The Observer News Publications and M&M Printing Company, Inc.

Top of Page