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My family is coming down to Gulf Shores next week from KS and the one thing my 10 year old daughter wants to do while we are there is catch a fish. I don't think she would even want to keep it if she caught it, but... I told her that we could try off of the pier. I have no idea what Im doing, but would love to make her fishing wish come true. It sounds like I will need a pier license and also a pier pass, can you rent gear? Don't know what we would be fishing for? Any info would help, Thanks.
I'm not from gulf shores but I've been there numerous times and have fished the pier many times as well. You just walk up to the window at the pier and tell them you want to fish and it's $8 to fish all day, I'm almost sure you can rent a rod and reel from them...if she just wants to catch a fish best bet would be to just get some shrimp or squid from the front office and fish the bottom or get sabaki rigs from walmart (they are cheap) and just jig it near fish the schools of fish near the pier almost a guaranteed hook up with that.
Welcome to the forum! You would be dollars ahead to hire Mr. David Thornton (a.k.a. Pier#r) for a few hours on the pier. He is a local pier-surf-jetty guide who will put you on some fish. The pier rents rod-reel combos nut you could buy a combo at Walmart already spooled with line for what a days rental would cost.
Orange Beach Surf Fishing Guide
Scroll to the bottom of this page for his contact information.
Don't forget that you need the Alabama salt water pier fishing license. $11 and you purchase it online, even at the pier you still buy online. Don't think your daughter won't have to but adults will. Hiring Pier#r would be the best way to go.
My advice is to fish the beach. Bring (or buy when you get here) a medium spinning outfit with 8# line & a 6-7' rod. Rig up a small egg sinker (1/4 to 1/2 oz), a swivel, a short 12# leader and a plain old #4 hook. Fish fresh shrimp chunks in the surf and first sand bar. Look for cuts, points and troughs, any change in the surf pattern. She will most likely catch a pile of whiting, maybe a pompano and small redfish. And you wont have to pay to get on the pier.
She will not need a license since she is 10. You will need a license if you fish, you wont if you just supervise. Make sure to bring an old towel, small knife and a pair of needle nose pliers. If you have any experience fishing for bluegills, bass or catfish in freshwater, you can handle this.
Best part about fishing the beach is that once she get bored, she can go swimming or build sand castles.
Good suggestions above.
Just keep in mind if you fish with dead shrimp (especially from the beach) pull the 'cap' (spiked helmet) off and cut the larger ones in two or three pieces about an inch long. That is more 'bite sized' for the fish you are targeting.
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If you fish on the pier get a Looney jig and tie it on a foot long piece of clear 40# monofilament line. The area between the platforms is teeming with blue runner ("hard tails") and ladyfish ("skipjack") and there are bluefish and mackerel mixed in.
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Hope this helps!