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Coming to beautiful gulf shores next week for the first time. Oldest daughter (11) loves to fish. Did a fair amount of reading about the state park pier, we might pass on that area just due to our greenhorn pier fishing abilities. We have a surf fishing set up/pampino. Peridido pass? Lagoon side fishing for flounder? She really wants to catch some sheep heads and try to catch flounder. Thanks
Flatlander, don't pass on the pier. Lots of folks there more then happy to offer suggestions on bait, where to fish, etc. have a safe trip down.
Depending on her height the rail might be the biggest obstruction,plus spring breakers, flounder bottom carolina rigging might be the best.....the pier can be the funnest place around especially catching bait for kids (I have fun catching bait when nothing is biting)
Ok thanks. Just a thread about minding your own business on the pier so it kinda makes me shy away from that areaQuote:
Originally Posted by Tarheel
What Tarheel said. Watch the catchers and ask questions. You will get the help you need. Go to J&M's they will set you up with the right things you need. Everyone is very helpful.
That 'mind your business' thing was pretty much an outlier. You won't find a friendlier pier on the coast. I can't wait to take my grandkids out there in a couple of weeks.
Flatlander, I get down mid next week with my 2 grandsons. For years, we've had a great time visiting the pier during their Spring Break even if we didn't catch a lot of fish. I have no doubts you'll be pleased with your visit.
Don't let that lone diatribe scare you away. GSP Pier is known as the friendliest pier on the Gulf for a good reason. The vast majority of local will give you a hand and answer all your questions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flatlander
As far as fishing the pier, catching fish is normally easy, catching keepers is a little trickier!
Set up a couple of medium spinning rods with carolina rigs (1/4 to 1 oz weight, bead, swivel, 12" 12# leader and a #4 hook) and some fresh dead shrimp or FishBites and she will most likely catch pinfish, croakers, white trout, whiting, etc... all day long. Get some Bubble Rigs just in case the Spanish macs show up.
If you fish the beach, the same carolina rig will catch whiting & maybe pompano. Whiting can be really close to the shore, like in the surf, so you dont have to cast far and they are great eating.
If in doubt, run by J&M Tackle when you get down and explain to them you will be fishing, they will set you up.
I've found the pier to be the most friendly. I've fished every pier from West MS to Mexico Beach FL and there is not a better fishing/friendly pier. I take my 3 year old every chance I get. I just stay away from the end(octi) because of the amount of hooks being cast(kids will be kids). The normal rail will produce all the fish you want. Get 2 dozen live shrimp and maybe some fish bites. When the shrimp die use them as fresh dead on a carolina rig. Avoid the frozen squid and junk. I've had my best luck with flounder just after dark and just before sunrise near the bathrooms with gulp shrimp in new penny color. 1/4 oz jig head, slow retrieve.
The locals are the absolute best, they will help anyway they can(as long as your ears work :D) Pompano are fun to catch on light and medium tackle. and like Ironman said, bait catching will keep you occupied and having fun for a while when nothing else is biting.
Best of luck!
-evan
The sheepshead are at the pier in full force. They are being finicky right now but they will probably turn on next week closer to the full moon. 10-12lb fluorocarbon or clear mono line. Size 10 3x treble hooks. Use 2 fiddler crabs on one treble hook. If you have an aerated bait bucket buy some live shrimp. Carolina rig with a 16-20" leader. Fish straight down beside and between the pier pilings on the end. Dollar General has a folding step stool for $7.50 that really helps to see over the rail for a little one or to hold your rod straight down. Next week will be pretty crowded so patience will be a virtue out on the end. There will be someone willing to net your fish nearby but be willing to reciprocate. If you see sheepshead up near the surface on other areas of the pier then stop and fish for them. The most productive areas on the end of the pier(octi) will be the Southeast corner, the South rail and the Northeast rail. Get there early if you want a spot there. You will meet some fine people on the pier and most are willing to help out. Take a minute to read the pier rules. The most annoying violations are leaving equipment, coolers, rods and tackle boxes near the rail and fishing multiple rods when the pier is crowded. All but one rod should stay behind a red line painted on the decking.This is so people don't trip over your stuff while trying to land a fish and using multiple rods denies access to the rail for someone else. If you suspect someone is violating a rule call the number posted on the signs and don't be the pier policeman. Just let the park staff determine the outcome. I suspect that was the cause of the MYOB post. There are 3 or 4 tackle stores in the area that sell live bait and I don't dislike any of them. I would go to J&M in Orange Beach on my first day and ask for help with sheepshead. Get you and your girl a J&M tee-shirt before you leave. It's sort of like the Pineapple Willy's shirt in Panama City Beach. You can't leave without one. Notice the pier carts all behind the red lineQuote:
Originally Posted by Flatlander
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2457.../data=!3m1!1e3
Good luck!
Mr. Cleland, what’s the best jig head color on a new penny Gulp?
If I can add one bit of advice about the red line on the octi. Just because you are fishing does not mean it is safe to walk around between the red line and the rail. If your child (or anybody) leaves the rail they should walk directly over the red line and then to where ever they want to go, NOT at a diagonal between the rail and the line behind fishermen who are casting.
I'm as bad as anybody to forget this some time, but a hook in a child's face will not be a pleasant experience.
Honestly, whatever you got... i'm on a budget since the wife, kid, + kid in the oven, so i use what I find on sale.. Fish don't care if its clearance, as long as it is presentable.Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkS1320
I prefer a white head, but chartreuse should be fine. I have yet to find the perfect 1/4 jig... most of the hooks are way to large. I like a smaller hook. I work from light pole 4 to just past the 'T' around the pilings. or you can use bull minnows on a carolina rig(that works well)
Yea what frednic said, I will re-enforce this... I've had the displeasure of removing hooks from kids heads/faces in the ER. If it goes though and comes out, it's WAY easier to remove... if it does not exit, its a good bit harder at times.Quote:
Originally Posted by frednic
PREVENTION is best. make sure they avoid walking behind someone casting.(some people just don't pay attention, others are just ignorant, some are both)
But it doesn't hurt to keep saline, lidocaine(optional), clean wire cutters, and antibiotic cream on hand... I'm sure a few people on the pier carry a small 1st aide kit.. I know I do..
A couple of weeks ago a kid got a Gotcha in his forehead, right above his eye. I later thought that it would have been smart to get a close-up picture of the lure and blood on his head to post as a warning to tourists with a caption underneath telling them that the red line was for their protection.
If you feel a little pier shy, I have no problem personally taking you out and showing you the rails. My 15 yr old daughter would gladly come along and fish with your daughter as well, and help her along. Can also take you to the other spots around the area which are great fishing. I have plenty of fishing gear in case what you have isn't adequate, and don't mind teaching you anything you and your daughter want to learn, and hopefully seeing you both catch fish. Safe travels.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flatlander
[QUOTE=Viking Guy;125624]If you feel a little pier shy, I have no problem personally taking you out and showing you the rails. My 15 yr old daughter would gladly come along and fish with your daughter as well, and help her along. Can also take you to the other spots around the area which are great fishing. I have plenty of fishing gear in case what you have isn't adequate, and don't mind teaching you anything you and your daughter want to learn, and hopefully seeing you both catch fish. Safe travels.[/QUOTE
Thanks Viking for the generous offer. I will PM you if we need some help. Sounds like the pier is the place to be. We are staying with another family so the fishing plans are pretty loose but with all the great advice that everyone has provided I think we can bumble our way through. If you all see a guy that looks clueless just yell "hey flatlander you need some help", I usually have dumb look on my face and a Canada Hockey hat on.
Make sure you buy the pier only fishing license at the minimum....if only fishing the pier(11.00 full year aug-31st out of state).....if ever plan on the beach you will need the full saltwater license