Question about King fishing from the Pier

This thread reflects the generosity of those I've met and fished alongside many regulars since the pier opened. Our sizable family gives far more than they take. Catching kings is so much fun. Tackle is diverse. I personally like just about any kind of terminal tackle as long as ya keep in mind your hooked to a chainsaw tied to the back of a rocket. Kings are amazingly fast. Their teeth razor sharp. Everyone has stressed the need to use wire leaders. Braided wire simply isn't trustworthy enough in my opinion. I use it on Spanish sometimes but prefer el-cheapo #50lb mono. Over the years, I've grown in knowledge thanks to all the pier rat's who love to lend advice. As long as your willing to listen, you'll love UM like my family does. Several master king getters show, by example, how to catch ki GS. Slim, T-Bucket, Tater, to name just a few. Davy Allison is a great wire leader instructor but there literally dozens who can tie UM well. Anywho, there are no strangers on this wonderful pier. We're ALL blessed to have it. Respectfully, FRANK.

I use 27# single strand (the brown wire, not stainless), #4 or #2 3x or 4x trebles and 50# flat black swivels. My reel, an older Shakespeare, holds about 275 yards of 14# mono, on a 35 year old 8' glass 2-peice rod. Works fine for me, has landed numerous kings & reds on the pier and offshore. Even a cobia or 2 back in the day.

I like to use a float (with live bait) on some days, most guys don't. Working a dead cigar minnow, no float is used.

You definitely don't need to break the bank on a rod & reel. The Penn reels & rods are great. Bass Pro has a Sea Lion 7000 reel for about $50 that is a good entry level reel, holds plenty of 14 or 20# mono. I like 1 piece rods better, but both my king rods happen to be older 2-peice glass rods. 2-peice rods are definitely easier to travel with.

Head to J&M when you get down here and they will set you up with leaders, hooks, swivels, bait and a good rod & reel combo.

And don't forget a 8-10# medium combo for Spanish macs. And a lighter rod for catching bait. Get some bait rigs (sabikis and a ribbon rig) from J&M while you are there. And some loonie jigs, bubble rigs and gotchas for Spanish.

+++++++1 on Pier#r's advice !!!

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Originally Posted by Fishingainteasy

Let me preface this by saying I am on a fairly limited budget.

I have looked online, and most guides for fishing from a pier have a 2 rod setup, which at this point I pretty much cannot afford.

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The two-rod set up is a form of "trolley" fishing, which is not allowed on the Gulf Shore pier. The "not allowed" is not a moral judgement, but different fishing styles can physically interfere, as between fixed lines and free-drifting lines. Either is fine, both at once are a disaster. There will be trolley-oriented piers where the techniques from here will make you the troublemaker.

The rods being described would be fine carp, lake sturgeon or catfish rods for the rest of the country not near oceans. They can also be a poor-person's pitching or flipping rod with a different reel. Multi-function rods involve trade-offs but few people can afford dozens of specialized rods for one place and one species each.

I'm not a great fisherman. When I am at the rail I'm frequently looking off somewhere enjoying the day and not fixed on my bait.

I use a stinger hook on dead cigars and get a much higher hookup rate than with a single hook. I may get fewer bites, but more fish this way, especially if there are bluefish about.

I use a #4 treble on 27# coffee colored single strand wire and put a second #4 hook about 4" down from the first (wire to wire with the first hook swinging free). It would probably be smart to use a smaller hook for the stinger, but that's too complicated for me.

I don't have to count and let them eat before setting the hook, just keep a light drag and they mostly commit suicide when they grab it.

Guys, I really appreciate all the advice. The do's and do nots. It makes me all that much more excited about getting down there early April and meeting some of you face to face.

I have been blessed with a loaner rod and reel now, which is a Penn 5500 with a 7' ugly stick (2 pieces). It is slightly older, but from what I can tell should do the trick nicely.

I've been out at the pier the last couple of times I came down. We were almost strictly jetty fishing, but it has become a not feasible option. The last few times, I have been pretty much catching Spanish and Blues on lighter tackle, but saw how much fun Kings looked and thought I would like to give it a shot.

So last two questions. I have a black max rod and reel combo(baitcaster) 6'7" MH rod. I figure that should be good for a sabiki rig. Am I right on this thought?
I most likely will be giving any "extra" bait away since I won't have a bait bucket or pump.

Is there any other last minute grabs I should make?

That will be a fine bait rig, very similar to what I use.

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Originally Posted by Fishingainteasy

So last two questions. I have a black max rod and reel combo(baitcaster) 6'7" MH rod. I figure that should be good for a sabiki rig. Am I right on this thought?
I most likely will be giving any "extra" bait away since I won't have a bait bucket or pump.

Is there any other last minute grabs I should make?

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I suggest getting a rolling ice chest and bungee-lashing your tacklebox to it for easy transportation to the end of the pier. You're going to need something to put your catch in, right? Yes, your baitcaster will be fine for your sabiki rig. Sabiki-caught baitfish don't survive well in an aerated bait bucket anyway, so if you catch more than one at a time, you can give 'em away or toss 'em back.

I have my rods rigged and ready to go, so that when I catch my bait it goes right on the treble hook of my king rod and it's in the water while it's still lively. Sometimes, the bite is on as soon as you get there and you'll want to get a good bait amongst them ASAP.

Something the regulars told me to avoid are the "Killer Bee" brand cigar minnows from Walmart. (fall apart when thawed) It was great advice. The cigs from J&M or Fresh Market are much better.

So much information from all the regulars. This seems to be an awesome community.

As far as a rolling ice chest goes. What size would be a decent start. I might consider it since I don't have to buy the rod now. (At least at this point). As far as a tackle box. I have my freshwater one, which I will probably bring for extra spools of line, and maybe storage. I intend on getting a separate one specifically for the trip to the beach eventually.

Also, based on current temperatures, do you think Kings might come in a little earlier this year? As I said, I am coming down the week of April 4-9 so I am hoping a few are biting haha.

Also, are the carts that people are carrying rods, ice chests and what not for rent, borrow, or are the personally owned? Would be pretty nice to have that but not necessary obviously. (Blame Haywire for this question as I saw him in a gallery sporting a King with one of them in the background haha).