GSP vs Others, What Makes The Crowd Here So Much Better?

I spent several days at Navarre in June hitting all three piers in the area between morning and afternoon sessions. I am not sure the "management" is to blame for the benches since it is a county pier; they just operate the pier house/restaurant and the pier staff did come out when I reported a couple of brats trying to jack up flipper with an extra large treble and bait. There did seem to be a younger and less polite crowd than in the past. Okaloosa pier came up a notch from the past on the civility scale, and even Pensacola was civilized at 5:30 am (too early to cuss, I guess).

Gulf Shores just has a climate that's different. Good examples breed good copycats just as bad examples breed worse behavior.

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Originally Posted by Haywire

I think this forum is an extremely important part of the positive atmosphere because we talk to each other on the forum when we can't be together on the pier. There's a lot more agreement than disagreement, and the folks I correspond with on here have obviously been "raised right".
We provide good examples for the most part with the possible exception of that notorious reprobate, Pier#r---he's so rowdy and unfriendly. Yeah, right.

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Ahh, so you've seen my pier fishing t-shirt ;-)
Attachment 2381

LOL!

I never have problems with the regards but it seems when a tourist first time out there thinks they own the pier and the most problem I've had is when the sheepshead were spawning the tourists thought they owned the whole octi and tried starting crap

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Originally Posted by FinChaser

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/...psb7486f29.jpg

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I cant believe you didnt take this opportunity to photoshop a bunch of local pier rats heads into this photo. Lol!

A lot of the piers in Florida have issues with the regulars. From the Pensacola Pier all the way to White Street Pier in Key West.

I'd say the friendliest of them all is Jacksonville.

None of them compare to the people we have at GSSP though. They have better fish, but we have better fishermen. I'd rather fish amongst friends if you ask me.

I've been fishing off hssp pier since the old pier was built. I've numerous friends and all are willing to help. I also do my best to pay it forward. I've fished the Florida piers but just don't have as good a time with their crowd as I do in Gulf Shores. Its awesome and you guys ate the reason why. Thank you...

Wow! This thread is an eye-opener. I have not been to any of the other piers in this general vicinity in years if not decades. I assumed that the way that people on the Gulf Shores Pier was the norm: people being friendly, helpful and very few "bombs" being dropped. My sincere thanks to the regulars and the management for keeping it this way.

Thanks again,
Loyal
PS Hope to visit soon.

The people make all the difference.

"Good examples breed good copycats."---Midwestextile.

Exactly right. A smile gets a smile in return and the whole atmosphere is better. If you see a hopelessly inept beginner and grin as you say, "Here, let me show you a better way to do that," instead of just saying "You're dumb and clumsy. I'll show you how, then get out of my way," they will respond better and might even believe you if you tell them the fish will bite better back toward the bathrooms.

Sure, there are always those people who are unfriendly and unrelentingly stupid, but you try to avoid them just like you avoid cowflops in the pasture and go on enjoying the day.

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Originally Posted by Haywire

but more importantly, they will help newcomers be included in the "pier family"---making them feel welcome and a part of what's going on.

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we have never felt anything but welcome at the pier. that's why we will continue to come back. we fished navarre one day on our last trip and doubt we will do that again. not a bad experience, just not the friendly atmosphere like GSPP. thank you so much for welcoming us into the "family" even if it is only a few days a year.