Rookie Questions-Fishing with kids.

I am planning a trip to the Gulf Shores Pier in June and would like to take my 12 year old son fishing. Him and I both have lots of experience F/W fishing. Im not sure where to start with this venture since i'm clearly out of my element. I think I have a couple of Rod and reals that will work for a 1 day trip, but I was hoping to get some advice on a tackle and bait setup. I don't have a particular fish that I am targeting, but just want some ideas on a setup which will give us the best experience.

He has caught some decent size Bass / Cats in his day, but I hope to have a good time without spending a bundle. I have also heard that rental rod & reals is another option. What is the best way to go?

Thanks for any info.

If it's just one day, I would go the spanish mac route. Easiest and cheapest relatively. You just need a med spinning rig. Search here for looney jigs and spanish/spanish macs. Then either use swivels and fluoro leader (we even used to use the cheap mono as leader in the 50-60 lb range) or the best way is to tie directly to the leader because you will get some cutoffs on the swivel. If it's a chew down you will get cut offs anyway. Just keep an eye on your line and leader and change when you need to. That's hard to make yourself do when the chew is on but you will lose fewer jigs. Gotcha lures are also an option but are also not fun if those trebles fly the wrong direction. You can bet Gotchas will be in use so watch out for them around you because folks don't always look before they try to throw to Cuba and watch behind herself on your cast if you choose to fish 'em. They work but I stay with the looney jig unless the fish make me change. I would use that time on the pier to also scout for the future what else is being caught and how folks are rigging. If there is an inshore bite, it is easy to get what you need while here even for 1 day. You will find most folks here (myself included) will point you to J&M tackle (especially for the Looney jigs) on Canal Road for everything you will need and for a good reason. You could walk in with this question and they will take you step by step on what you need. John and his staff are #1 with helping all anglers (visiting or otherwise) out.

Agree with above, but nix the Gotcha Plug.
A bubble rig is 'safer' and includes more of the visible element that makes pier fishing so much FUN!
Just check the reports here as time grows near to get an idea of what is biting.
Then 'scout' the pier when you get there to see for yourself how it's being done.

The rental tackle is not much of an option really.
You would probably be better MUCH off with your medium class freshwater tackle,
and you could buy an inexpensive medium heavy combo for just a little more than the rental.
Just give it a light rinse and oiling after you get home to remove any salt spray residue on the rod, reel and line.

Bring needle nosed pliers, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen & water...

WELCOME & Hope this helps!

Don't overlook fishing from the beach as well. With a 1/4 oz carolina rig with a #4 baitholder and a pound of fresh shrimp, you can probably catch all the whiting you care to eat, and maybe a pompano or two. Plus he can go swimming if he gets bored.

But if the Spanish macs are running, the pier will be more exciting.
Don't be afraid to ask questions when you get out there. Most guys are more than willing to help out.

The whiting will be right on the beach where the waves are breaking. Cast a little further out and you may luck up on a pompano. Both are fine eating. I always spray my reels with Reel Magic before my trip and rinse them for a few minutes with freshwater after every trip to keep the salt from damaging them. On the pier your son would probably tire out from repeatedly casting the bubble rig, looney jig or gotcha. There are days when they will only eat a small ly(which can be caught with a small mesh ribbon net under the pier) and the next day it may be live shrimp. Your aerated minnow bucket will keep shrimp alive. If they die put them on ice and use cut pieces for whiting and pompano. A white bucktail jig with a belly strip or a 3" grub/jighead bounced on bottom under the pier may get you a flounder. Bluefish and Ladyfish will hit just about anything shiny and fast moving. Good luck!

I appreciate everyone's input. I will definately go this route.

One other question. On a video on fishing from the pier I saw on Utube, I saw these nets on a rope that people were using to land fish. Is this something that they have available at the pier for people to use or do you have to have your own?

Thanks

Just fish around Mr. Haywire or Mr. Pier#r they are always letting others use there drop nets along with others on the pier(it is very fisherman friendly), J&M tackle sell them for around 30.00 I think....I need to put heavier netting on mine so others can borrow it, ....the first was chewed up by the toothy fish(very light weight netting)so now I only will use it for non toothy fish till it is replaced with heavier and smaller openings I think the real key to not getting ate up with holes

[QUOTE=tstroud;70691]I appreciate everyone's input. I will definately go this route.

One other question. On a video on fishing from the pier I saw on Utube, I saw these nets on a rope that people were using to land fish. Is this something that they have available at the pier for people to use or do you have to have your own?

J&M Tackle on Canal road in orange Beach sells them in a small and large size-about $8.00. The large one catches LY that are more suited for King Mackeral fishing. The smaller one will catch the smaller 2-1/2" to 3-1/2" baits that the Spanish prefer. A really small sabiki rig will get them at times. Get J&M to set you up with some small black ss swivels, size #4 4X treble hooks, and some #15 seven strand wire for Spanish leaders. 10lb test line is about right.

Sorry I let my fingers get ahead of my eyes. Hoop nets are available at most tackle shops but are around $35. In June there will usually be someone areound that will net a fish for you if yoy ask nicely.

I can only think of one occasion in the past two years where someone made such an ass of himself that nobody would net a fish for him---and that particular doofus really worked at it to the point that nobody would even fish near him and that was in JUNE when the octi was really crowded. He got a big red on and squalled and hollered and begged until one of the regulars got tired of listening to him and decked the fish.

You certainly do not seem to have any of those characteristics. As Ironman said, come fish nearby and I'll net fish for you and even let you net mine, provided I can find one stupid and hungry enough to bite. I've got a "Haywire" flag on my cart, so I'm not hard to find. Pier#r will be the guy quietly catching more fish than anybody else.

Just look for the cat in the hat leaned over the rail whispering.

You guys are very kind. I appreciate the help and I will look you guys up.

Late to the thread, but 2X on Pier#r's opinion. 12 year olds are just getting to the point that they appreciate fishing, but mostly they want to catch. In June the Spaniards will be still be pretty strong and you can also catch ladyfish, blues, and hardtails.

As a further opinion on the bubble rig I suggest you use a clark spoon behind it if the bite is good as these are easier to get out of the toothy mouths, otherwise be sure to have some needle-nose pliers on your belt.

I ordered the bubbles and some Looney Jigs. I found some pretty good info on the bubble rig and I think I understand how to rig it up. I havent found much on how to rig the looney rig. Can someone spell it out in rookie terms so I make sure I understand. What lb test should a put on my real for this setup?

Thanks again for all of your help.

I made myself a functional pier net outa power company aluminum conductor and some old catfish cage netting,zip ties,and old castnet weights for the bottom,plus 30 ft. of rope,,In October it's only use was to attempt to net and release 2 bsterd pelicans..Be mindful of these miscreants,,If you throw an ly out and there is one peacefully floating around with in 40 yds,he can flap paddle dive fly on your bait fore you can spit,,,then comes the hassle,,Got lucky,,I almost had a double,,and hook pulled outa edge of beak,,helped a rail neighbor,,same result,,,They will jump outa the pier net repeatedly,,,Butta$$$ birds,,fore warned,fore armed,,chuckster

Durn...glad I was there in May so I know I am not the target of your wrath!!!

Unless I missed someone saying it, the reason so many have recommended needle nose pliers is that pretty much EVERYTHING has a a mouth full of razor blades!!!!! You lip a fish on the pier (or even let a hand slip)and you're liable to end up in the ER. Grabbing spaniards with a towel is a good way to control the slimy suckers. Add to that the fact that many of them have poisonous fins/spines and you'll understand why I suggest bringing a healthy dose of caution with you.