First time fishing saltwater

Hello Fourm members, Ive been lurking around this forum for a couple of months trying to soak in all the information possible. I will be heading down Thursday for 4 days and hope to fish the pier one morning and in front of the condo the rest of the time. I know the search tool is my friend as some like to point out which i have used plenty. Im bringing 3 spinning reels on 7' rods in medium to medium/heavy action. When it comes to bass fishing I tend to know my way around but saltwater I have no clue. Ive picked up some #2,4,6 size circle hooks. I will be picking up the rest of the tackle needed once we get down. North Alabama doesn't have much of a saltwater selection. So mainly wondering when fishing the beach in front of the condo, what's usually a good distance to cast out to if possible. I would also be willing to give some locals a tip once we try the pier just to get me headed in the right direction. Would love to catch something nice but mainly being the first time just want to catch some fish. Any other info you guys want to throw my way im all ears.Thanks a million

Carolina rigs are your friend. Orange fish bites. Small hooks are better, and 10# line is plenty, 12# if you are fishing cut bait for reds, jacks, etc. From the first bar in to your feet, there are usually fish to be caught like whiting. Very good to eat. Don't use circle hooks myself much. The scarcity of reports probably means not much is being caught on the pier lately. August is tough on pier fishing mostly, unless the weather intervenes with favorable Temps and wind. It happens. Good luck!

Welcome relliot, sounds like you have a good start for a first timer ;-)

The fish you want to target may be just a short distance, or just out of range (it depends).

What line do you have on these combos?

Do you plan to lure fish or soak bait?

A few items that may help:
sandspikes (to keep the reels out of the sand)
Needle nosed pliers (as hook removers)
Wide brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen and water (you want to be able to see into the water and be protected from the sun & heat)

On the pier I'd use Bubble Rig and LY catcher to target spanish and bluefish.
Hope this helps!

Or just read Texas guys report in the thread below. Wow.

1 rod has 10# mono the other 2 have 18# mono. As far as target fish would like to catch anything but trash fish. I've read some post people saying circle hooks or kahle hooks. I planned on trying the bubble rig but will have to purchase those once we get down there. What size swivels, sinker size and style. Egg? Pyramid?. Bullet sinkers for Carolina rig. We will be about 1.5 miles west of the t. So I'm pretty much just a mile or 2 from the lagoon pass and a few miles from the pier.

Also bait Im down to throw everything in the kitchen sink if I have to, but was thinking both artificial and live bait.

Make a quick stop at J&M Tackle in Orange Beach for your kahle hooks, swivels and egg sinkers, along with a pack or two of Fish Bites (orange or pink). You can get some 1oz pyramid sinkers in case the surf is a little rough.

You'll generally be fishing in the trough between the beach and the first sandbar. Sometimes the fish are virtually at your feet, right in the shore break, and other times just on the inside edge of the outer bar. Sometimes they'll be in the middle of the trough. Good luck.

While you're at J&M. pick up a few Looney Jigs. They work great.