Want to know what's biting? Check with the experts

A fishing excursion to the Alabama Gulf Coast can be the adventure of a lifetime. For amateur anglers who have dreamed of catching a real "keeper," the best way to find out when that trophy is likely to be caught is by doing a little research. But where do you start? At www.thebeachiscalling.org , you can click on the "Fishing" tab on the home page, then follow the link in the drop-down menu to "What's Biting?" There you'll find articles from local charter captains and anglers about which species are biting, how deep to fish and which bait to use. The true treasure here, though, is the archived articles. If you want to plan a trip to go after, say, blue marlin, you can look back through the articles to find out when the best chance is to land one. The best travel advice always is "Ask a local." Using this resource, you can plan a visit to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach for just the right time, with expert advice, from the comforts of home.