Mobile Bay - Immigration

Description:

Mobile Bay is a large inlet in the Gulf of Mexico on the State of Alabama coast. It features an outer barrier island chain that protects the large but shallow bay. The area features extensive yachting facilities (some of the highest-rated in North America).

Tidal range is typically less than 3ft but may be as little as 1ft in some areas.

Mobile Bay is also the access to the inland river system that comprises the traditional Great Loop route. Due to this, both sail and power yachts use this area as a staging ground for onward cruising.

This area is famous for its importance during the US Civil War.

There is a rare ecological phenomenon that occurs in Mobile Bay known as a "jubilee." Abnormally large numbers of crab, shrimp, flounder, eels, and other deep-water fish swarm the shallow areas of eastern Mobile Bay. It happens at least once and sometimes multiple times in the summer months, just before dawn.

There are reports that it is possible to simply walk into the shallows and spear enough flounder to fill a pick-up truck, and fill whole bathtubs full of shrimp. It is impossible to predict the precise date of the Mobile Bay jubilee, but the occurrence is announced locally the previous evening as the swarms begin. More information can be found on the City of Fairhope website.

Position: 

30° 12.24'N, 88° 01.74'W (approach Mobile Bay Inlet)