First time visitor to Gulf Shores

I'm heading down to Gulf Shores the first week of July and would appreciate any guidance on fishing - pier, surf, charter, bait, tackle, etc. Traveling with wife and teenage children who may be fishing also. I was thinking pier fishing would be best solution for family event but I plan on fishing most days by myself. Any suggestions would be helpful. Have spent time fishing in Pensacola and Dauphin Island in recent years but realize most areas have their unique fish populations and preferred areas. Thanks.

I think that your best two options are pier fishing and charter fishing. For fishing tips about targeting species and rigging for those species from the pier, just use the SEARCH feature. Everything that you could ever need to know about fishing on the Gulf Shores pier has been detailed. Where to fish on the pier, what to use for bait, what rods/reels/line/techniques - everything is in the archived posts.

That said, you may want to schedule one day for a chartered trip. Let a guide take you and the family out for a half-day or so of fishing fun! If you want to bring the fam out to the pier, again -- do the search thing. It's been discussed before!

i spent my first day on the pier just watching and asking questions. didn't even take a rod. the locals are more than willing to help, usually without having to be asked. if they see someone struggling, they are quick with advice. the people are great which is what keeps me coming back.