New to pier

Hello,

Been trolling the site here for information as the family and I will be headed to Orange Beach in late July. I have a few general questions though:

1. I have been fishing salt for years and fresh since I could walk but have yet to tie into a king. I will order and Okuma SV65 or Penn Pursuit II 6000 on a Brawler 8 ft. rod in hopes of scratching that one off my list. Choice was based on cost and a few threads read on this site. Confirmation this is sufficient?

2. What is a single line trolley? Based on my search on the site its clear as mud. To clarify I understand the concept, but help me with defining single versus the apparently banned 2 line.

3. My 6 yr old and 7 yr old sons are dying to fish. Is it better to take them off the pier or by the pass? My concern here is rail height. If the pass is better, where? They do not really have the patience for bait and wait. Other rigs? They will be happy just catching something but I wouldn't mind it being edible (specs, slot reds, flounder, etc.) Obviously former is more important.

4. Most of what I have been reading here specifically talks about rigging for Kings. How are you guys rigging for bull reds? Bait? Where on the pier is best for these? I would love to see the kids tangle with one of these (assistance from me provided) but I do not want to be in the way of the hard core kingfishers on the octagon. They saw one caught last year in Florida and I hear about it once a week since.......

5. Are cobia and tarpon around the pier this time of year?

6. I have most of the tackle except that needed for Kings. Is it better to tie a few of my own rigs here before I leave using the posts on this site as a guide or just show up and buy one on the pier?


Thanks for any advice. Great site.

1. Your setup is sufficient.
2. I don't trolley fish so I have no comment.
3. If they're inexperienced, targeting certain species in July can be difficult because of the temps. Kids don't have the patience and you want them to have a good time. Get a sabiki rig. Sometimes hard tails and decent sized smaller jacks can be fun for kids to catch. They fight hard.
4. July is hit or miss on bull reds. Reports sometimes say they show up later on the afternoon. November is prime for Bulls.
5. Tarpon yes, cobia-hit or miss. Last year a stud hung around for a while.
6. Go to any reputable tackle store and ask to be shown how to setup for kings from the pier. 27lb seven strand with a figure 8 to the trebles is what I use.

btw, I loved fishing in Galveston. Those small jetties are insane! Lots of good fish hanging off those.

Thanks for the reply Snake. Those little jetties are nice. I remember the best one being right in front of the holiday inn resort......... been a while but a buddy and I caught a literal monster stingray off that thing one year. Took both of us to lift it into the truck (sans tail of course).

Anything you need in the way of tackle---go to J&M in Orange Beach.

I'd make up a few king leaders at home. They're simple to make---get some little zip close bags from the craft dept. at Wallyworld and put one in each bag. If the bite gets hot, you don't want to be untangling leaders. Use #2 or #4 3x trebles (depending on size of bait) and the smallest swivel you can stand---I use a 30# Spro---and 30# braided wire leader---tie with figure-eight knot or a simple overhand.

Good luck.

Don't think about trolly rigs because most piers don't allow it. Its basically one rod tossed out with a weight and then use a second rod to slide the bait down the line of the first rod so the live bait swims around on top. Nothing but a total screw up when someone else gets a king on and its running around the pier.

Get you some good 7 strand AFW 30lb camo leader and some good #7 swivels in black. Use #4 or #2 treble hooks in black. Make your own rigs ahead of time. Use 15lb test mono so you get at least 250 yards of line in case you hook a smoker.

Bring a sabiki rod to catch bait. The bait is not always there but when it is you want to catch a bunch for the next days fishing. Cigar minnows freeze well but herring and lys do not do so well.

Toss your bait out and work it slowly with a little twitch every now and then to make it look alive. When a king hits give him about 3 to 5 seconds to run to get the entire bait in his mouth. Do not jerk as soon as you feel the bite. Many times the king, spanish, or whatever hit the bait and then swims around and hit it again. Watch the locals and ask questions,

Good luck, you will love catching kings. If you get one on ask someone to get a gaff ready to bring your fish up. Go to Youtube and search for panama city pier fishing or king mackerel from a pier.