new to saltwater fishing.need advice.

Hey guys I'm from central alabama and fish lakes and rivers a lot.bass, crappie, bream, and catfish.i will be heading down to the shore in two days.what I'm wanting to know first is what fish can I expext to catch off the pier or surf fishing carolina rig? Second how heavy are the fish? Also since I catfish I was looking to get a multipurpose rod and reel for pier, surf, and bankfishing for cats back home.i think I have found a good combo but want to get yalls advice looking at a 7' mh ugly stick with an okuma avenger reel (size suggestions)would also like to be able to catch small shark and rays too.sorry about asking so many questions just brand new to saltwater fishing.(also I know that each application calls for a differnt rod and reel but I'm on a budget) Thanks

I'd say your odds of encountering small sharks , rays and catfish with a carolina rigged dead shrimp (or squid) are pretty high.
Also remora along with an assortment of small jacks, ladyfish, pinfish and MAYBE even a few whiting, or a stray pompano, black or red drum.

Most of the lighter tackle you mentioned will work as well (or better).

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!

10-12# test clear mono. Lighter line=more bites. Most of the fish you catch on the pier are less than 5lbs unless you hook a King, Bull Redfish, Jack or shark. The ugly stick will be great. Most of the time there will be someone around to net a fish that's too heavy to hand line over the rail (about 20' from the water to the floor of the pier). A reel that can hold 100-150yds will suffice for the smaller (and best eating) groceries.

Welcome aboard let us know how your trip goes. Remember to watch ask questions and don't act like an a$$ and you well have plenty of help

Wecome "hook",,careful this forum is addictive.Some really helpful folks here...The search engine on the site is a great resource.Good luck on your trip.We are going down the 24 for a couple days..Maybe the bite will pick up fore then.Where you at,,,we are here in Rockford,,Oh yeah beware the pelicans,,,hooking or wing wrapping one is a hassle,,they will fly in from 40 yds and dive on a live LY fore you can spit or it can sink.

Thanks for the advice. Coach , I don't plan on acting like an a $$ I usually keep to myself.chuckster, birmingham, tuscaloosa

So I went ahead and bought an okuma avenger 65 combo.haven't had a chance to hit the pier yet, but I have been surf fishing at night from about 9:00 to 12:00 all I have really caught are catfish.iv been using shrimp and squid.anyways just wanted to let yall know I was having a little luck.I would like to catch a different variety of fish though.

Buy a few packs of sabikis or a ribbon rig and catch you some LY's or medium size hardtails and hook them up.. I prefer to free line or fish them under a cork. The AV65 is a good reel for the price. I have one in each size and love them. They are my "loaner reels" since they are cheap to replace. Get out on the pier and fish some. Try early evening and right before dawn. Those are my favorite times and you wont get burnt or die of heat stroke. Also when fishing the pier you really should go past the bathrooms. Dont waste your time in the shallows.... :) Good Luck. I'll be down Sunday-Thurs again..

Thanks for the tip.

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Originally Posted by Mr. Cleland

Buy a few packs of sabikis or a ribbon rig and catch you some LY's or medium size hardtails and hook them up.. I prefer to free line or fish them under a cork. The AV65 is a good reel for the price. I have one in each size and love them. They are my "loaner reels" since they are cheap to replace. Get out on the pier and fish some. Try early evening and right before dawn. Those are my favorite times and you wont get burnt or die of heat stroke. Also when fishing the pier you really should go past the bathrooms. Dont waste your time in the shallows.... :) Good Luck. I'll be down Sunday-Thurs again..

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HAHA yea there are no fish in the shallows