It would be nice considering the Spring Break crowds will be looking for another place to fish if the GSPPier is not available...
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It would be nice considering the Spring Break crowds will be looking for another place to fish if the GSPPier is not available...
I think that local businesses will find out how valuable the Gulf Shores Pier is to the local economy. Sure, it will impact Hooked Up and J & M, but also VRBO/room rentals, restaurants and shopping.
I seriously doubt that many local businesses realize how valuable the state pier is in bringing business to the area. For an old man like me surf fishing is a difficult challenge and the pier is a significant attraction.
Heck yea,
the pier is the ONLY reason we come twice a year.
I hate “going to the beach”....the “Sun Blistered Festering Grit Box” in my opinion.
BUT,...the Missus likes the beach. And since I discovered the Pier,....I like it too.
And we’ll be back down,...once the pier reopens.
I would agree that surf fishing does become more difficult as we age, but those of still fighting the effects of aging do experience some of the upside of surf fishing. An example is the calming effect of the surf at dawn and dusk(portrayed often by various photographers in and around GSP), but this does come to an end as soon as the multitudes begin to inhabit one's small realm of serenity. In a perfect world we could have our own private beach or pier(I hear a private island has come available via some pervert that didn't hang himself), but since I cannot afford such I will be content to frequent GSP a few times annually if only to check out Mr Haywire's nipple danglers.:congratulatory:
I know one thing is for sure, it's gonna be a LONG couple of months while the pier is closed..I am sure gonna miss it for those "few" months.
The pier is the only reason I take my family and friends to GS....
But I don't arrive anyway until April so I can learn Chillinfish how to limit on pomps... :)
I've had luck with pomps tossing a sabiki rig tipped with fishbites in the surf on some of my winter trips to gulf shores. I cut the sabiki rigs down to 2 or 3 hooks (each sabiki makes 2 or 3 sets) and cast and retrieve. a 3/4 oz sinker gives plenty of casting distance and drags the bottom on the retrieve. Ive doubled up several times that way. I think the cloud of sand that the sinker kicks attracts them from a distance if theyre hungry. Anyway, it might be worth a try from the beach until the pier opens up again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Cleland
PLEASE give me a lesson. I can't seem to buy a fish from that pier. I get tired of telling my wife I caught the Mrs. Paul's fish sticks. Sure hope it opens up by then. I'm watching it snow outside and daydreaming of watching a big pompano attack a jig/teaser.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Cleland
Just thinking from afar, I am sure it is something they thought of in the planning but I have to ask anyway since I have not seen it mentioned.
Wouldn't a ramp be enough for the observation deck rather than an elevator?
They take a ramp onto the pier, Navarre has a zig zag ramp onto their pier.
Why not a ramp that would keep the upper deck wide open?
ADA Ramp Specifications
As defined by the ADA, a ramp is a sloping route constructed with a slope greater than 1:20 (1 inch of vertical rise for every 20 inches of horizontal length, or run) and must conform to the standard ADA specifications for ramps.
Ramps may have a maximum slope of 1:12.*
Ramps must be a minimum of 36 inches wide. Some areas require wider ramps.
All edges must be protected to keep anyone from slipping off.
All ramps shall have top and bottom landings as wide as the ramp itself and at least 60 inches long.
Landing size must be at least 5 feet square.
Ramps must have handrails on both sides if their rise is greater than 6 inches or their length is greater than 72 inches.
Cross slopes (areas where a ramp slopes sideways, perpendicular to the ramp's length) must be less than 1:50, and surfaces must be slip-resistant and stable.
A level landing is required at the bottom and top of the ramp.
Maximum threshold height (at building entry) is 3/4 inch (19 mm) for exterior sliding doors and 1/2 inch (13 mm) for other types of doors without modification.
[* Recommended Ramp Slope
While the maximum slope allowed by ADA guidelines is 1:12, the ADA recommends a more gradual slope of 1:16 to 1:20, whenever possible. A 1:12 ratio is too steep for some people to navigate, and a lower slope may be required for some public buildings. Depending on the slope and the material used to build the ramp, the surface may need some extra anti-slip texture to help prevent slipping.]
A ramp to a 10' observation platform would be 120" times 12-20 inches long per inch rise. Not counting landings, that ramp extends 120'-200' down the pier if straight. Most of that pier space would be unusable except possibly to park carts under. It would be at least 3' wide with railings and handrails on both sides. A cork-screw ramp creates a wider footprint on the end itself, plus landings at each leg.
To me, however, the key ramp problem would be making it hurricane wind-proof and wave-proof. It would have the aerodynamics of a billboard.
Think of this , With no one fishing maybe the Sharks will go find easy meals some place else .
Gentlemen please, from a most unreliable source it was learned that consideration is being given to affixing stair lift chairs to the railings to provide a seated full panoramic viewing of the GSP surroundings. This would include stops at the octi for guided tours up the observation deck that will sit some thirty feet above the pier floor. Charges are believed to begin at five bucks a seat with an additional five for those adventurous souls wishing to visit the observation deck. Rumor has it that U Tube videos of Haywire's Danglers will be an added attraction. Discounts for groups of ten or more.
Revenue is certain to far exceed that is now collected for mere fishing. Pedestrian traffic is to remain at current levels.
Your government is always willing to help.
I may not be a part of that attraction because they only want to give me a tiny percentage of the take for letting the tourists get a look at my Rootin' Tootin' Revolvin' Remoras. For that insignificant amount, I wouldn't even show off my Fabulous Floppin' Flobs of Fat. My lawyers are negotiating the rates as we speak.
If you want more money you may need to break out the baby sea turtle pasties...Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywire
An elevator at the end of the pier? Terrible idea. Salt will eat it up.
Has anyone ever seen a pier add nice "notches" a foot or two apart on the front of the rail so it keeps people from carving V's with their knife?
Might be something for the builders/designers to think about.
Would look a lot nicer and possibly keep the carvers from butchering the new set-up.
Doesn't have to be deep, just enough to hold a pole from sliding away.
Not to mention that adding height and wind/wave loading to the upper portion of a structure that has to withstand hurricane forces doesn't make a lot of sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by OBWolf
Ding-ding-dingQuote:
Originally Posted by fordguy
WE HAVE A WINNER!
I thought the idea was to encourage folkses from piling their stuff against the rails?Quote:
Originally Posted by 1000 Miles Away
I always use the cutouts that are there even when adjusting my bait or untangling (sometimes with others) to keep my pole from sliding away but hate to see how carved up they sometimes are
Thought if there were some in place it might keep people from making their own
All the Piers that I've fished in North Carolina had notches cut by the Pier but their were ones were the Pier didn't cut them done by fishermen . I personally would rather have them so as previously said when you have to untangle or bait and anything else that requires two hands you don't have to worry about your rod falling
Geez, remoras for nipple hangers? I don’t even want to think about a G-string animal. How about a crustacean.....with claws?