First Timer

I will be in Gulf Shores this weekend and would like to try Pier fishing. What would be a suggestion for rigs and types of fish to fish for that would give my grandson and I a chance to catch a mess of fish

Depending on how old the grandson is, I'm not sure the pier is what you want to do. If I wanted some steady action I would forget the pier and fish in the surf early and late. Drop by J and M's and tell them you want to surf fish for whiting. They will sell you what you need. Buy fresh dead shrimp. I ask for the freshest and smallest. Cut a medium shrimp into three pieces or so and peel it. small pieces of shrimp work well. You will find whiting anywhere from just off the beach to the first sandbar. If you don't get bites soon, walk about 20 yards up or down the beach and try that spot. If you find them, action will be steady. Whiting are tough little fighters and you will likely catch enough for a fish fry, which the grandson will remember. enjoy your trip and best wishes.

The pier was loaded up today with feisty hard-fighting 'hardtails' (Blue Runner).

They are from the middle platform out halfway to the end.
Try a white "Looney Jig" from J&M or just tie on a medium sized sabiki rig with a one ounce weight and jig away!
A man and his two boys were catching some next to me using Bubble Rigs with a spoon.
They had the cooler pushed up against the rail for the younger kid ;-)

Welcome aboard watch and ask questions. If the little ones are of age look for a gentleman with a yellow flag on his cart and have them ask about the mouse.

I would suggest a gotcha. It is an easy jerk bait to fish. You can wear out some Spanish Mackerel every now and then with them. You can also catch some hard tails and small kings. If you want to you could also have a snagging rig rigged up to in case the mullet show up. Good luck this weekend.