New member seeking advice

[quote author=DRH link=topic=1546.msg14869#msg14869 date=1342128672]
[quote author=Pier#r link=topic=1546.msg14863#msg14863 date=1342127980]
The action with spanish, ladyfish, bluefish and hardtails (blue runner) would frankly be more than enough to keep most kids occupied.[/quote]

That is why I asked about the kids and brought up the possibility of pan frying Spanish. Action is where it's at for the kids eating the catch is an adult thing.
[/quote]


Alrighty then, is dropping artificials worth the time or effort? (gulp for instance) I know that's kind of a shunned thought for most 'pier rats' :) We may in fact give up on dinner and just have some fun catch n release- you guys at the end of the pier run clark spoons fast, or are things done differently up here?

I assume those fish you linked are available for purchase at the pier or local shops, it should be known I'm a cut-bait kind of guy and have had issues freelining live bait, I'm just either not lucky or simply do it wrong, probably the latter.

BTW thank you all, this is quite a helpful community. and yes, i know I'm probably overthinking a couple of mornings at the pier. :P

From what I've fished, seen and heard...
Gulp & G. Alive shrimp work pretty good, so do the shad.
Plenty of spoons, jigs and lures get tossed, bubble rigs with straws, straws with rooster tails, Gotchas and spoons are popular.
Larger top-water & diving crankbaits such as Bomber, Rapala and Yo-Zuri are a go for Jacks & Kings.

Fast or slow will depend on the fish that day, but fast has done better for me with bubble rigs.

BEST BET WOULD PROBABLY BE GOING FOR THE SPANISH OR BLUE RUN LIKE OTHER FOLKS SAID . YOU COULD FLOUNDER FISH IN BETWEEN.LAST TIME I WAS THERE J A M WAS ONLY PLACE WITH BULL MINNOWS AND THEY ACTUALLY WERE BULL NOT TIGER MINNOWS, AT LEAST THATS WHAT I CALL THEM.PIER R HAD PICTURE OF THE BULL MINNOW LOOK ALIKES.I LIKE CAST NETTING THOSE LITTLE PINFISH AND FLOUNDER LIKE IT TOO!GOOD LUCK FISHING!

If i were you without a smoker as you stated, i would target the spadefish between 6" - 10" long and use them for panfrying if you don't want to fry spanish.

Dehead, gut and skin them. Panfry the rest whole in crispy southern and peanut oil. Quick, clean and easy.

Only need a 12" frying pan or better.

Larger 2-5lb spadefish you'll need to fillet if frying.

Tastes similar to flounder in texture and grouper in taste.

Let the kids catch and release the rest for the fun factor.

I felt like repaying the help I got here by displaying the results. The kids loved it- had a blast catching pins and a spadefish which my nephew insisted on keeping to pan fry. My daughter was less than thrilled, being spoiled with our boat trips- but it was his first fishing trip, he's definitely hooked.

[img width=720 height=514]http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j369/tekmunki/Gulf%20Shores%20Pier/IMG_0999.jpg[/img]
[img width=720 height=514]http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j369/tekmunki/Gulf%20Shores%20Pier/IMG_0998.jpg[/img]
[img width=720 height=540]http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j369/tekmunki/Gulf%20Shores%20Pier/IMG_0995.jpg[/img]

Great work. Looks like they had some fun! Perfect sized spadefish for frying too.

Good to see the kids got some action and edibles.

Great smiles! Passing the :fishing: passion on is great.

All right, I can't stand it.

How about it VG. Recipe for pinfish?

[quote author=Rich1 link=topic=1546.msg15328#msg15328 date=1342571878]
All right, I can't stand it.

How about it VG. Recipe for pinfish?
[/quote]LMAO... Lets have it :eat: