“Every now and then, you hook up with some nice white perch while fishing for bream with small spinnerbaits. The fishermen who actually target the crappie keep an eye on their depthfinders to locate the deeper holes that are on almost every curve of the river. The crappie seem to hang in these deeper spots in fall.

“Crappie minnows are the best bait when targeting the crappie,” Puckett explained.

Seasonal Visitors
Starting in late September, the population of saltwater fish moving into the Fowl River increases. These fish are drawn into the river by ever-increasing numbers of shrimp. Speckled trout, white trout, flounder and redfish all share in the annual fall bounty.

Evidence of the location of the shrimp is revealed by large numbers of gulls and terns flocking wildly over pods of bait being driven to the surface by hungry fish below. It is amazing to watch the sharp-eyed sea birds time the jump of the shrimp as they attempt to flee the feeding fish. It is also the best and easiest way to find fish in the river.

The shrimp stay in the river on into the winter, until chilling waters signal that it is time to head toward the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

While the shrimp may leave, the saltwater fish stay as long as the salinity level is tolerable. And without the shrimp to feed on, the saltwater fish are not as choosy when it comes to feeding.

Bobby McElroy of Semmes is an ardent Fowl River angler during the cooler months. Known as “The Brain” to his friends, because of his serious study to all aspects of angling, he truly lives to fish. McElroy has a very successful ornamental iron works business that keeps him very busy. Despite the hectic job, McElroy always makes time to fish when the saltwater fish invade the Fowl.

To avoid any crowds, McElroy works on Saturdays and fishes on Sundays and Mondays. This allows him his pick of places to fish in the cooler months.

“The Fowl River is a pretty popular spot to fish in the fall and winter, especially if Mobile Bay is muddy,” he confirmed. “Therefore, I adjust my schedule so that I can fish with the least amount of boats being on the river. Sometimes on Monday I’m the only boat on the water.”

Besides figuring out when to schedule his fishing trips, McElroy has learned quite a bit about making the most of his outings on the river over the years.

“Starting in November, the saltwater fish, mainly speckled trout, will be staging close to the mouth of the river near the big bridge. The water temperature is usually in the 60s, so the fish will be closer to the bay. If the water temperature drops, the fish move farther up into the river,” McElroy said. “Another factor is the salinity of the water in the river. The river is pretty much protected, so when the bay muddies, the fish will travel farther up to stay with the saltier water.”

McElroy bases where he starts fishing in the river on his previous weekend trip. Even then he has to factor in rainfall and water temperature.