General Information about GS Pier

It has been sometime since I have fished GS Pier. I use to fish it a lot and it was a great place to fish when you didn’t have a boat. I do have a few questions since I will be moving down soon.

1. When should the pier be back complete?
2. If you have dual residence are you resident or non- resident?
3. Do you need a license if you are over 65?
4. Do you still catch Kings with the shorter pier?
5. What are the best months for Kings?
6. There use to be a guy named Pete that was always there. Anyone know what happened to him?
7. Is there a different thread or site that people use? Seems like the interest is way down.
8. Last question. Can you share any fishing info about Little Lagoon?

Thanks a million for your response.

1. Nobody knows :-(
2. Residency is defined by your driver's license ... https://www.outdooralabama.com/licen...tion/residency
3. AL residents = No Non-residents = yes ... https://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/license-faqs
4. There were a handful of kings caught from the short pier this year.
5. Best months for kings are May through July.
6. Pete shoots guns.
7. see Facebook, there are several pier fishing pages there.
8. Little Lagoon can be challenging but there are specks, redfish, flounder, croakers, and some world-class lizardfish caught there ;-)

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

1. Nobody knows :-(
2. Residency is defined by your driver's license ... https://www.outdooralabama.com/licen...tion/residency
3. AL residents = No Non-residents = yes ... https://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/license-faqs
4. There were a handful of kings caught from the short pier this year.
5. Best months for kings are May through July.
6. Pete shoots guns.
7. see Facebook, there are several pier fishing pages there.
8. Little Lagoon can be challenging but there are specks, redfish, flounder, croakers, and some world-class lizardfish caught there ;-)

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Thanks for your response. So I take it that there are no current plans in place to repair the pier. Was the pier fishing this year worth going? I am moving down next month and trying to figure out what are my best options for fishing since that is basically the reason for the move, The surf fishing for me this year was not very good and I kept hearing that the pier was not doing much better. I see lots of boats trolling near shore, what are they trolling for? I usually catch a few Bull Red fish this time of year but for me they have been elusive. I assume Spanish can still be caught from the pier. Last question. Do they allow 2 pole trolly fishing on the pier? I have always been told no but I have seen people doing it. Thanks again for your time.

Practically nobody fishes for kings anymore from the pier because of all of the sharks around. You'd be unlikely to get it in if you were to get a hit. And more than likely, your live bait would be eaten by a shark. No, the pelagics have moved out already, so there aren't any Spanish mackerel being caught. For people who are willing to fish the entire length of what is left of the pier, the fishing has been quite good at times. I'd characterize the bite for the last month or more as "poor". However, I've had great days catching spanish (when they're in, of course), spadefish, speckled trout, sheepshead and whiting (in the winter months they haven't really shown up yet in force yet this fall). I have backup plans/secret spots for when the pier fish aren't cooperating or I just want to do something different. For me, this is paradise because even when the fish aren't biting, there are the glorious sunrises and the mostly great weather and the exceptional pier friends.
I don't expect any progress on the pier being renovated. I'm not planning my future fishing adventures based on the pier situation improving. It will happen one day and when that happens, I'll be grateful for the expanded opportunity which will include a return to occasionally fishing for king mackerel if the shark situation improves (and it's only gotten worse in recent years).

There definitely are plans for repairing the pier, but those plans have not been announced.
Like Tom stated fishing can still be great at times, but the sharks don't make it easy.

What are all of the charter boats trolling for?

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Originally Posted by Nunoslg

What are all of the charter boats trolling for?

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Where at? Can't imagine trolling for much of anything off the beach right now. Maybe Bonita or the occasional Spanish?? King Mackerel fishing is great during the winter time 20-30+ miles offshore.

Bull redfish

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

Bull redfish

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What do most folks troll with to target Bulls? Did not know that was a thing..learn something new every day! :D

Don't forget that standards for judging a successful fishing trip will change by time of year. When I drove my father-in-law to his Gulf Shores condo, I considered my time fishing out front of the condo a success to the extent there was not ice freezing in the guides. At least I could fish without an ice shelter.

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Originally Posted by 700fisher

What do most folks troll with to target Bulls? Did not know that was a thing..learn something new every day! :D

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Large lipped deep diving plugs that will get down 25 feet or so.
There may also be some bluefish and "bonita" (Little Tunny) if the bait is striped anchovies or small LYs.

https://greatdaysoutdoors.com/fall-bull-red-fishing/

I have trolled for Bull reds with great luck. I am at Four Seasons and many days 8 to 10 boats trolling. I never thought of that. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by 700fisher

What do most folks troll with to target Bulls? Did not know that was a thing..learn something new every day! :D

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I use a Bill Lewis Saltwater Supertrap. I have had great success with all colors, but white with a red head has been best, especially on top of the Dixey Bar. You do need around 8 ft plus of depth, but that's not hard to find.

Hooks are strong and have plenty of gap for the bony mouths and they seem to love the noise, especially in dingy water which is frequent on the D Bar. They are expensive, but I accept no substitutes - I think the tone of the rattle is the difference.

They are murder on Jacks, too.

We trolled today around the DBar and Sand Island. Caught 4, 2 on Super Traps and 2 on Mann's Stretch 15s, 36-41 inches. Not bad since we didn't start until after 9:00 and birds were sitting the whole time. Never saw any school action or reds following our hooked reds, just singles.